Raven Stole the Moon: A Novel

Chose this because I thought so highly of "The Art of Racing in the Rain". His writing style is engaging, but I found this story to be strange and rather disconcerting - not at all what I expected and would not recommend as a "good read" to others.

The descriptions of the Alaska Maritime Highway, and the ferry Columbia in particular brought back fond memories, but the plot was , at times, predictable, and the characters seemed fairly unsympathetic.

Bought the kindle version to read while on vacation. Interesting story and very entertaining. Garth Stein's style is engaging and I especially enjoyed the Alaskan Native American influence since I recently visited Alaska.

Even though this book is a fiction I really found comfort in following the story about how this woman coped with the death of her child. Sometimes it is a very lonely process of grieving after losing a child. The fact that the author really got what mothers go through when a child dies helped me cope with the fact that losing a child is not a fiction in my life.

Big thanks from the founder of Metaphysical Mothering,

Robin Alexis

If you're looking at this book because you loved "The Art of Racing in the Rain", it might not be your cup-o-tea! If you like a little paranormal romance (but not Twighlight) then you'll probably enjoy this book!

It's a nice kind of mystery that keeps you wondering and guessing in a nice way!

If you are afraid of otters, don't read this book!

I just kept reading after the first several chapters because sometimes books get better. All I can say is that I read the rest of the book to see how bad it could get...well I was amazed at how bad a book could really be.

Like most folks, I came to this book after searching out more Garth Stein after Racing in the Rain. That book was an unequivocal 5 star rating from me. I am glad I read this book, but I want to be very clear for fans of Racing: this is a VERY different book. It is closer akin to Stephen King than to racing. The first time the supernatural element shows up - I will not spoil it by providing any details - it is jarring in effect. Its like, "OK, so it is going to be THAT kind of book." As one who (embarrassing admission coming here)DOES enjoy at least many of Stephen King's books, I was OK with that. If you cannot suspend disbelief long enough to deal w a book heavy on supernatural elements, I would suggest you let this one pass.
Stein does create a very richly-detailed heroine in Jenna Rosen. She is a fully formed and vividly painted character, with whom you come to empathize greatly. Stein could have turned her husband into a complete charicature, but portrays him fairly, too, as a flawed but real human being also dealing with a tragedy. Most other characters are just there to fill their predestined, precast, role. It is a shame that a book so imaginative & w a lead character so well painted actually becomes somewhat predictable, with other players wearing clear white or black hats, & the action somewhat predictable.
Still, on balance, I am glad I read it. Not all will be: I fully understand the 1 star reviews. I initially bought this for my wife, as she read & loved Racing before I did, but she didn't get to it, so I read it before her. She doesn't care for supernatural fiction, so I now think she'd hate it. it is a matter of taste: if this sort of thing is your cup of tea, come along for the ride & you won't be disappointed. If it is not, wait for Stein's upcoming novel, which looks like Racing II.

C’mon the store — let us give half stars!! Bc this one is floating in my mind somewhere between a 3.5 and a 3.75. And no I’m not just a pain in the rear I swear. ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ is probably one of my ALL time favorite books. There is no doubt in my mind that Garth Stein is a talented writer and story teller, however something abt this one just didn’t do it for me. But I can’t give it a truly bad review bc it was well executed — you dig? The story of Jenna whose young son drowns while their family vacations in Alaska is heart breaking. She and her husband Robert’s marriage suffers as a result of this loss. The journey to get to the root evil causing the drowning and back to the person she was prior to the tragedy is interesting but requires a lot of imagination. As well as suspension of disbelief. Shamans, spirits, shape shifters — it’s a lot to buy into in a book set in Alaska in the 1990s not a Lord of the Rings type novel. And spoiler alert for everyone who has read it — the ending?!!

I kept thinking while I was reading this novel that it was so obviously a male author writing a female main character. Jenna did and said things that seemed uncharacteristic. Also, I was disappointed in the turn of the story and Jenna's decision at the end. I just didn't see it coming, and I think it was because Robert's character wasn't dimensional.
What I didn't like was the whole kushtaka magical realism theme. It was very odd at times, bordering on ridiculous. I liked the legend of the kushtaka, but not how Stein portrayed the creatures and their actions. Too weird.

Although not as enjoyable as his more popular book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein’s The Raven Stole the Moon spun a fantastical tale of ancient spirits that had me on edge as I sat on a couch in house that is not my own. By the end of the story, I felt like the kushtaka were watching me and if they took me, nobody would ever find out. David describes the kushtaka: “Their eyes and teeth don’t change. Usually they move around as shadows, though. You know, you think you saw something, but when you look again it’s nothing. Or you hear a footstep and think you’re hearing things. That might be a kushtaka, too.” Stein’s language was descriptive, although at times the writing was awkward, especially when there was dialogue, which may have been the feeling of Stein’s characters.

Despite its setting in Alaska, this book reminded me of the legend of La Llorona, a Mexican myth of a lady who drowned her child and then killed herself and haunts people in the night near water. Similarly to La Llorona, the main character Jenna lost her son to the ocean....

http://showthisbooksomelove.tumblr.com

Like most I decided to pick up this audiobook because I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain. That said I also very much enjoyed this book. It is a much different book but I think comparing it to Racing in the Rain does it a disservice. This book is a much different type of story and in no way does it seem Stein was trying to mimic either book after the other. So for all the one star ratters who just did so based on that comparison, shame on you. Writers often do not stick to a particular style or even genera.

That said, this book was rather entertaining (given I read the description and knew what I was going to get rather than blindly assuming I knew what to expect). The story does seem to drag on in spots and it revisits the spirit realm a lot but does build a little onto the story each time so it seems repetitive but not overly so.

My one complaint is that the characters were somewhat predictable. Without giving a lot away, each character fulfilled their role; Jenna was seemingly lost, weak, and lacking independence. Eddie was an obvious distraction. Robert was overbearing until he realizes his overwhelming love and need to be with her far outweighs her recent behavior. Livingstone would doubt himself and then realize his power and so on.

In my mind its a good enough read and although the characters were predictable the story kept it interesting. This isn't one I would recommend to everyone but perhaps those who enjoy a classic love story with a somewhat unique twist.

Raven Stole the Moon, Garth Stein's first novel, first published in 1998, was released in a new edition earlier this year, and I couldn't be happier, because I love this novel. I was immersed in it from the first sentence ... no, from before the first sentence ... it was the word Akákoschi! (Tlingit for "See") that caught my eye on a page I almost missed. From that I was hooked until the very last word 441 pages later.

Raven Stole the Moon is the story of Jenna Rosen and her haunting, poignant search to understand her son's drowning in Thunder Bay, Alaska two years earlier so she can put it behind her and move on with her life. Was it her fault? Was it her husband's fault? Was there something else involved? It's is an obsession that her husband doesn't understand and wishes she'd get over and get on with life, because it's driving him crazy and tearing them apart. So one night she drives away and takes a ferry to Wrangel and begins her search for answers and for understanding. Along the way she meets a mysterious old Indian woman, falls in love, is chased through the woods by a Tlingit spirit called a kushtaka, is rescued by a dog that chases the kushtaka away, meets a shaman and finally ... well, buy the book, jump in, find out for yourself and enjoy the adventure.

Raven Stole the Moon is a wonderful read. It's rare that I read a novel that breaks into my dreams, but this one did - a dream with a shaman and spirits and the smell of rain and mist, forest, sea and fish. Garth Stein is that kind of story teller.

His next novel, by the way, is a Pacific Northwest ghost story. I have no idea when it's to be published, but as soon as it is, I'll definitely buy a copy and lose myself in it.

Garth Stein, best-selling author of "The Art of Racing in the Rain," explores the spiritual traditions of his Tlingit heritage in this story of grief, redemption, and mystery. Stein's clean, crisp language, strong characterization, and mystical plot make Raven Stole the Moon both enjoyable and inspirational.

Story: When Jenna Rosen abandons her comfortable Seattle life to return to Wrangell, Alaska, it's a wrenching return to her past. Long ago the home of her Native American grandmother, Wrangell is located near the Thunder Bay resort, where Jenna's young son, Bobby, disappeared two years before. His body was never recovered, and Jenna is determined to lay to rest the aching mystery of his death. But the spectacular town provides little comfort beyond the steady and tender affections of Eddie, a local fisherman. And then whispers of ancient legends begin to suggest a frightening new possibility about Bobby's fate. Soon, Jenna must sift through the beliefs of her ancestors, the Tlingit - who still tell of powerful, menacing forces at work in the Alaskan wilderness. (From goodreads.com)

Spiritual/metaphysical content: Medium. The story walks us through part of the Tlingit creation myth, including a mystical "between lives" state where a dead person's soul can be trapped instead of entering the afterlife, and the kushtaka, physical beings who rule that state. Jenna must work with a shaman and spirit animals to release her son's soul. Interesting exploration of native american spirituality, which parallels some Eastern beliefs. Treat the whole, not the parts. No such thing as good or evil. With practice, people can see beyond the physical world and glimpse the world of spirit: "Things exist and that is all. Nothing is surprising; nothing is startling. It is no more unusual for a bear to talk to a shaman than a twig to fall from a tree. . . . It is simply nature revealing a different side of itself to a shaman."

Jenna grapples with the big issues that shape our personal philosophies, such as faith and belief: "Did Moses part the Red Sea? Did Christ heal the inform? Is there room for more than one religion, or is it all the same and people just interepret it differently? What makes is reasonable to believe that otter creatures steal souls? Is it the possibibility of salvation? If so, whose?

My take: Wonderful language, moving metaphors. Stein uses spare, direct prose to tell the story with great skill, occasionally using moving metaphors and parables to help the reader envision the incomprehensible. Some readers may find the story too abstract, since Jenna's actions are driven by her need to find closure by choosing to believe that otter-like spirit creatures can steal a person's soul. The story blends the line between myth and reality. However, I felt that plot line added a fascinating spiritual depth to the story and I came to a better appreciation of Tlingit spiritual traditions. I was not necessarily persuaded to "willingly suspend disbelief," but I found the story engaging and meaningful.

I was struck by the common threads that are woven through so many world myths and religions. A few examples used in this book include the Great Flood; a River of Tears that separates the land of the living and the Land of Dead Souls; a mystical equivalent to Purgatory; a spirit guide to help the soul find the path to the other side, where family and friends await.

The story was a little less compelling than Stein's later work, The Art of Racing in the Rain, but the clean, crisp language and strong characterization make Raven Stole the Moon both enjoyable and inspirational.

Ever since the drowning her heir son, Bobby two years ago, Jenna Rosen and her husband, Robert are more like strangers then husband and wife. Jenna decides to get away from her life and Robert for a while. She takes off for Alaska. This is where it all began. Where Bobby drowned. Jenna experiences some strange things like...a wolf or wolf type dog chases her through the woods. Jenna meets a man named David. He is a shaman. He tells Jenna of a legend hat the Tlingits believe. It has to do with the belief that not all people die peacefully, so people's souls are trapped to wither wander aimlessly or take form in another being. What does this have to do with Bobby? Could this mean that he might be alive after all?

Raven Stole the Moon is the first book I have read by Garth Stein. I have wanted to try his work out when I first heard about The Art of Racing in the Rain but just haven't gotten around to it. After reading this book, I definitely plan to check the book out. I have to admit that I did get a little lost at first trying to figure out in my mind about how the shaman and the Tlingit beliefs really played a part in this story and Jenna's son's death. Once I out it all straight, I was able to fully sit back and immerse myself in this book. I found that I absolutely was delighted with this book as well as Mr. Stein's writing style. He really brought the characters to alive on an emotional level that made you connect with them in the moment. I only have one last comment to make and that is... you have got to check Raven Stole the Moon for yourself.

Jenna lost her son, Bobby, in a tragic drowning while on a business-related vacation with her family at a soon-to-be-opened wilderness lodge. Two years later at home with her husband Robert in Seattle, Jenna has yet to recover. She's seen numerous psychiatrists, but has yet to come to terms with Bobby's death and the changes their loss made to their marriage. After a fight at yet another business related event, Jenna takes off in Robert's car. At first she just wants to get home. In the end, she just keeps driving, running away from Robert by default. Eventually, she ends up headed on the ferry to Alaska, the home of her Tlingit grandmother and the place where Bobby died. Can returning to the source of so much pain in her life help her move forward, or will it send her further into depression and despair?

The first half of this novel had all the makings of a great episode of "The X Files." After Jenna lands in Alaska after leaving Robert, she has the most creepy experiences. Because she doesn't completely trust her sanity, she's not sure if she believes what she sees. What she may have experienced is creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the potential of kushtaka, the otter people gifted with the ability to shift their shape and "convert" souls. When Jenna wonders if the kushtaka are real and if they may have some connection to the death of her son, I could just imagine Mulder and Scully investigating and having a field day with all the possibilities. During that first half, I was in heaven. I felt that I could relate to Jenna and I wanted her to find her way to where ever it was that she needed to go.

The second half of the novel didn't work as well for me. I grew impatient with Jenna and her attitude about anyone other than herself. The story became much less suspenseful because it featured Robert and his attempts to find Jenna more prominently. This weighted the novel down and was distracting. I wanted the novel to be about Jenna and her discoveries. I wasn't so much concerned about Robert. It's not that he didn't matter, but I wish there could have been more a more concise way to bring him back into the story without the play by play. Robert also put enough normalcy and reality back into the story that when the kushtaka arc built back up, I missed it. I was no longer prepared for it. Had I recognized it immediately, the end of this novel really would have packed a punch.

My Final Thoughts

I didn't like this novel as much as The Art of Racing in the Rain. However, Raven Stole the Moon was more challenging and in some ways more interesting. I enjoyed the Alaskan setting, history, and spirituality that were infused throughout. I liked that Jenna and Robert were a mess and were prone to making rotten decisions when under stress. It made them human. The highlight for me was the section where Jenna relives her last moments with Bobby. They were incredibly heartbreaking and powerful. Had Stein maintained the same pacing and level of suspense consistently throughout, this novel would have been absolutely incredible.

Two years ago, Jenna Rosen's son, Bobby, drowned while on vacation in Alaska. To her dismay, his body was never found and she had to return home with her loss and grief. While Robert, Jenna's husband has gotten over his grief, Jenna has found nothing that can help her get over or forget the loss of her son, putting strain on their marriage and making them act more like strangers than a husband and wife.

One night Jenna just can't take it anymore and decides she needs to leave, while in the middle of one of Robert's business parties, she just gets in the car and drives off. She eventually finds herself in Wrangell, Alaska, where her Native American grandmother lived - and just a few miles away from where Bobby drowned. There Jenna meets a shaman who tells her of the legends of the Tlingits and their beliefs as to a person's soul.

As a big fan of Garth Stein and, of course, Enzo's, when I was contacted to review Raven Stole the Moon, I was like.... "ooh, ooh, me!" And although it seems this is one of Mr. Stein's previous works (maybe even his first), I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this story. It is definitely nothing like The Art of Racing in the Rain, this is more of a thriller, and at more than one point, it even felt creepy along the lines of a horror story. As a mother, you can't help but to feel Jenna's pain. The overwhelming loss of a child - trying anything and everything to overcome that grief and to eventually find a path to healing... it really is heartbreaking. This is her journey to not only save herself but also to save her son's soul.

I really found it interesting to read of the Kushtakas (a/k/a shape-shifting soul stealers). I liked the mystery and even the fright that came with their myths and legends. Mr. Stein really has a way with words. I love the voice that he uses to narrate his stories. It was the same way with The Art of Racing in the Rain. I don't know if I can explain it right, but it's soft and soothing... even though there was a time or two where my hairs were standing on end... I found his writing calming.

This is a heartwrenching story about grief, loss and healing that it is expertly intertwined with Native American folklore making it a fascinating read. I truly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

This book was provided for review Terra Communications.

Raven Stole the Moon: A Novel
Robert and Jenna - the couple with everything. That is until they lose their only son, Bobby in a tragic drowning while on vacation in Alaska. Robert desperately wants to move on with their lives while Jenna is trapped in a constant state of despair as the accident happened while she was with Bobby. The stress proves too much for Jenna and she flees her marriage and life in Seattle to visit her grandmother's hometown in Alaska which just happens to be located near the Thunder Bay Resort, the location of her son's death.

Raven Stole the Moon follows Jenna's journey in Alaska and Robert's journey to find her. Jenna is mysteriously drawn to Alaska. She has a sense that there is something unfinished concerning her son's death. Is it because his body was never found or is it guilt eating at her that she didn't do everything she could to save him? While touring the town of Wrangell, she has what seems like supernatural encounters and the feeling that things are not what they appear. Jenna learns of the beliefs and legends of the Tlingits, the North American Indian tribe that was her grandmother's, concerning the kushtaka, shape-shifting otter-like creatures that have been known to lure people to their deaths and transform them into a fellow kushtaka. Could this be what happened to her son? Is this why Jenna seems to be seeking out answers?

I really did enjoy my time spent with Raven Stole the Moon. There were elements of magic and mystery, shape-shifters and shamans, romance and a violence (nothing shocking). The characters are interesting and the dialogue between them really lends to the overall "feeling" of the book. The edition I read was actually a release of a new edition of the book which was originally published in 1998. In the afterword, author Garth Stein explains his relief that he felt he did not need to rewrite large parts of his original version including the lack of technology (pretty amazing a time without cell phones and the internet) and I am glad that he left things pretty much as is. I believe a story should be kept true to it's original form.

I was very excited to have this opportunity to review this release (offered by Sarah from Terra Communications Book Marketing). As I am an Enzo fan - Enzo being the star of Mr. Stein's extremely popular and wonderful The Art of Racing in the Rain - I was very curious to see how Mr. Stein's first work compared. Both books featured very believable and realistic characters but I do believe the author's writing has gained a better voice and has evolved. Raven Stole the Moon is an engaging book with a great appeal.

Story Overview

On the surface, Jenna Rosen has it all: a husband who loves her, a comfortable life in Seattle, and good looks. But Jenna is troubled; it shows in her excessive drinking, Valium addiction, depression and the increasing discord in her marriage. But her problems can all be traced back to the loss of her son Bobby, who drowned during a family vacation in Alaska two years ago. Jenna blames herself for Bobby's death and cannot get past it. Yet her husband Robert seems to have been able to put the past to rest. One night at a party, Jenna gets in Robert's car and keeps on driving. Her trip leads her to Bellingham, WA, where she impulsively boards the ferry that will take her to Wrangell, Alaska--a small town where her Native American grandmother lived and close to the Thunder Bay Resort where Bobby died.

Once in Wrangell, things happen that lead her to believe that something is calling her to discover the truth about Bobby's death. Her grandmother's Tlingit ancestry begins to manifest itself in strange and frightening ways. As Jenna begins to explore the Tlingit legends of the kushtaka, she begins to believe that Bobby's death was no accident. Determined to find the truth, Jenna embarks on a quest to discover what really happened at Thunder Bay. The result is a terrifying but liberating journey into the heart of the Alaska wilderness and the ancient legends of the Tlingits.

My Thoughts

Contrary to what you might think, this isn't a new book by Garth Stein, author of the best-selling Art of Racing in the Rain (which is on my TBR list for later this year). Rather, this is a rerelease of his first novel, which was published in 1998. (Note to authors: If your first book is not very successful, keep on trying. You may score later on and then get a rerelease for your earlier books!) Raven Stole the Moon has been out of print for several years, but is being rereleased on March 9. Remember how I told you I was reading a mystery book that I couldn't talk about? This was it!

Anyway, on to my thoughts about the book. I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I enjoy stories of ancient legends coming to life in our modern world, and I thought the sections dealing with the kushtaka were disturbing and frightening at times. (Let me tell you, after reading this book, I won't look at otters quite the same way again!) On the other hand, I had some issues with the tone and writing in the book. In many ways, the book is told in a very plain, straightforward way: She did this. Then she did that. He reacted this way. Then the author mixes in some stream-of-consciousness stuff that I found a bit jarring. Here is a small example:

She got off the freeway in Bellingham feeling tired and hungry. She pulled into a gas station to get some fuel for the Machine, and she picked up some Corn Nuts and a Coke--fuel for herself. The trip suddenly had the feeling of an all-night drive. Standing under a canopy of fluorescent bulbs. Artificial sunlight. Electrified reality. Everyone would be asleep if they weren't plugged in.

My other quibble was that I thought the emotional lives of characters could have been better developed. We know Jenna is devastated by the loss of her son because the author tells us, but I never really felt it from Jenna herself. For me, this kept the book from being more than a competently told story with some supernatural elements. I think with a little more work and polishing, this book could have been something special. However, in the end, I think it falls shy of the mark.

My Final Recommendation

If you enjoy books with supernatural elements related to Native American culture, this would be a good read for you. The Tlingit legends and story line were the most compelling part of the story for me, and the descriptions of the kushtaka were interesting and a bit frightening. Although the writing is competent and the story moves along quickly, I didn't think it was unforgettable or out of the ordinary. For this reason, I'm giving it 3 stars.

"Raven Stole the Moon" has been reissued since Garth Stein touched our hearts with "The Art of Racing in the Rain." So this is an early novel, and it shows, (who didn't love Enzo?). But this is an enchanting novel about a marriage and the grief of losing a child.

When Jenna cannot get over her grief of her drowned son, she tries drugs and alcohol. She tries forgetting. It cannot be done, and her marriage rips at the seams. Her husband, Robert, thinks he has dealt with his grief and that it is time for her to just get over it.

Jenna runs. She runs back to the place of the incident: Alaska. She meets a shaman. She adopts a dog. She learns about the kushtaka, the clan of spirits who take more humans into their world if they can. They are neither good nor bad; they just are. They take the form of otters.

To read this book requires the willing suspension of disbelief. There are bad guys and good guys, other worldly experiences, and deep emotions to rip raw.

Stein has grown as a writer since he orginally wrote this book, but it is a satisfying, fast-paced story that reveals a beautiful culture and a beautiful, wild place.

Jenna and Robert Rosen were a happy couple. Two years ago though, their 5 year old son Bobby drowned on a fishing trip to Alaska. There have always been questions, no body was ever found. This all happened at The Thunder Bay Resort near Wrangell Alaska. When the resort was first built, David Livingstone, a Tlingit Shaman had been hired to feel the property so to speak. His report was that there were spirits on the land called Kushtaka, and they wouldn't leave, so the investors would be better off finding other property. John Ferguson, the man in charge of securing the property though, goes ahead with the project. Jenna is now on a search to discover what exactly happened with her son, and try to put the past behind her.

I liked this book. The author peppered in Tlingit theologies and stories while relating the story of Jenna Rosen. Jenna is a pretty tragic character. Due to her son's death, she's abused Valium and Alcohol. Her husband, is a mixed bag of a character. There are times I truly felt for him, and others where I didn't like him at all. Sometimes he just seemed rather controlling and acted more like he had ownership over Jenna, than a marriage. Her parents are a bit on the domineering side as well.

David Livingstone was a character I liked. You could feel his respect for his people's beliefs, cultures, and for the shamanic rituals. John Ferguson on the other hand, seems like your typical corporate type. He seems greedy, manipulative, and at times seems as if he wants to exploit the Tlingit culture as a way to sell condo spaces.

Throughout the book, you can see people change, and evolve. Some of the characters I didn't like at first, I learned to understand and sympathize with. That made the book pretty true to life for me. I think anyone would enjoy this book. There was some use of profanity. I think women in particular would be able to relate to Jenna. I felt for her for the relationship she felt she was stuck in. From the opening chapters: She's getting ready for a party, when her husband looks at her and ask "Is that what you're wearing?". When Jenna takes off and leaves Robert behind and heads to Alaska, I couldn't blame her at all.

This isn't however just a work of fiction. It has Tlingit theological information, some fantasy aspects, some fairly intense moments. Overall, I'm very glad I got the chance to read it. It was originally released in 1999, but is being re-released with a new cover and new ISBN number.

*Disclaimer* A review copy of this book was provided by Sarah at Terra Communications. Thanks go to her for this book. It didn't affect my review in any way.