Raven Stole the Moon: A Novel

Garth Stein

Feb 2010 · Harper Collins

About this ebook

“Deeply moving, superbly crafted, and highly unconventional.” —Washington Times

Raven Stole the Moon is the stunning first novel from Garth Stein, author of the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Art of Racing in the Rain.

A profoundly poignant and unforgettable story of a grieving mother’s return to a remote Alaskan town to make peace with the loss of her young son, Raven Stole the Moon combines intense emotion with Native American mysticism and a timeless and terrifying mystery, and earned raves for a young writer and his uniquely captivating imagination.

When Jenna Rosen abandons her comfortable Seattle life to visit Wrangell, Alaska, it’s a wrenching return to her past. The old 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 whispers of ancient legends begin to suggest a frightening new possibility about Bobby’s fate, and Jenna must sift through the beliefs of her ancestors, the Tlingit -- who still tell of powerful, menacing forces at work in the Alaskan wilderness. Jenna is desperate for answers, and she appeals to a Tlingit shaman to help her sort fact from myth, and face the unthinkable possibilities head-on. Armed with nothing but a mother’s ferocious protective instincts, Jenna’s quest for the truth about her son -- and the strength of her beliefs -- is about to pull her into a terrifying and life-changing abyss....

Ratings and reviews

"Raven Stole the Moon" is an interesting look at the spiritual journey and how we seek for answers in a realm outside of us, when they are usually found inside of us. Stein puts the universal theme of finding faith and serenity through the transcendence of pain in a unique and interesting setting, the Tlingit culture of Alaska. Though he does a great job of examining the Tlingit culture, he could have put more effort and emphasis on the commodification of Mother Earth and the impact it has on indigenous culture...I would really like to know how the Alaskan First Nations feel about the booming tourist industry encroaching into Alaska. I'll never look at otters the same way again.

The book was not what I expected. It's a story of love and loss, but it also involves supernatural elements. The author uses myths and legends from the Tinglet Indians of Alaska to weave a complex story about the search for healing. The characters are well drawn and extremely likeable, and, if the reader is willing to suspend disbelief, it is a very compelling read.

You want to get to the ending; but not want the book to end!

About the author

Garth Stein is the author of Enzo Races in the Rain!, based on the New York Times bestselling novel The Art of Racing in the Rain (and its tween adaptation, Racing in the Rain). His other works include A Sudden Light, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, Raven Stole the Moon, and a play, Brother Jones. He is the cofounder of Seattle7Writers.org, a nonprofit collective of sixty-two Northwest authors dedicated to fostering a passion for the written word. Garth lives in Seattle with his family and his dog, Comet.