Undressing the Moon Review

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - therefore, we thought a novel related to this topic would be appropriate. (Just like next month, we're looking for a good-feel Fall novel).

In this novel, Piper, a 30 year old is coming to terms with her past, her illness, and upcoming death. As she reviews her life, we are taken back to when she was fourteen. Fourteen was a pivotal moment in her life, when her life is shattered. Although she tries to piece together her life, at the age of 30, her life breaks with her diagnosis, and she's put into a situation of reflection.

I like to see the themes and imagery when reading novels. Here are my top viewpoints.

Coming of Age
We first meet Piper when she is a child and turning into teenager, her artistic mother is her "everything" - her beauty in a dark childhood that is surrounded by the poverty they live in.
Her life changes when her mother abandons her, then the following of her father's departure. She has the company of her brother and her Aunt. She meets her "first love" - a boy who takes advantage of her. Her life is broken at a most pivotal moment when she needs the most support. She finds that support with a teacher, who encouraged her, who fell in love with her, and later, who she turns against.

Glass
The novel is written similar to like a mirror -- the author jumps back and forth from her adult life to her childhood/teens almost every other chapter. As one fragment in her life is revealed, it makes Piper reflect to a situation in her childhood/teens.

The strongest imagery of the glass was when Piper and her mother found a beautiful red vase. At first glance, they think it is perfect, and can be sold for a large sum of money. However, on further inspection, they see a small crack. As her mother grabs a hammer - she breaks it. This vase and shards of glass represent Piper's life. At one point she is seen as whole, but her mother's departure (the crack) leads to those glass shards (the broken pieces) - her loss childhood, loss of virginity, and loss of health.

Seasons
A smaller theme throughout the novel. Mainly to share the passing of time. I love the different seasons and always enjoy the imagery of time passing by. The author made a really good visual when Piper was a teen, and we see the summer's being filled with tourists, where winter her brother's attention was focused on skiing, and spring brought the muddy slush. Piper is very observant with the seasons, even in her later stages of life, when she watches the time pass by through the young, carefree girls at the park.

Friendship
A strong bond of friendship. Lasting friendship. The one person who had stayed with Piper her whole life - Becca. An amazing friend who not only supported her friend, but forgave her when needed. Becca was the one constant in her life, the one who helped her when needed. The one who was always there. She gave up her own ambitions to stay with Piper and support her at the end of her life.

Health / Life & Death
Health
From a medical perspective, I felt the author did a good job representing the illness, however at the same time, the author did not dive into it as deeply as I thought she would have. Guessing the time frame, it took place at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness, when many trials were starting. The symbolism of the illness was tied very closely to glass - where it was another "broken piece" in her life.
To note, the author also briefly mentioned other health issues separate from Breast Cancer.
We have depression with the mother and the father's addiction later in life (to cocaine)...

Life & Death
Her brother's wife pregnant, at a time when death (due to her illness) is looming over her.

Bites (ex: food)
Not much food was represented in the novel. What a pity. I really wanted to incorporate that with the book club.


In my personal opinion, this book was good. It was hard at first to grab my attention, and sometimes it was depressing. However, once reading more and understanding the style of writing, I enjoyed it, and the more I think of the themes, I really think they were well-represented.
~Patricia~