The Girl Who Chased the Moon. Finished 1-29-13, rating 4.5/5, magical realism, 269 pages, pub. 2010
Something suddenly caught her eye. She quickly stepped to the balustrade. She thought she saw something in the woodline beyond the gazebo in the overgrown backyard.
There! There is was again. It was a bright white light-a quick, zippy flash-darting between the trees. Gradually, the light faded, moving back into the darkness of the wood until it disappeared completely.
Welcome to Mullaby, North Carolina, she thought. Home of ghost lights, giants, and jewelry thieves.
Chapter One
Emily recently lost her mother, the only family she has ever known, and is shipped off to her grandfather in North Carolina. Julia is from Mullaby but left as a teenager only to return as an adult after her father died. Both plan on being there for short time, but both find themselves with reasons to stay in the quaint, close-knit town full of secrets and charm.
I loved Allen’s first book Garden Spells and found myself almost as enchanted with this quirky and magical tale of lost love and the trials of growing up. She has a talent for making stories that are light and still satisfying. Oh, and romantic. Emily and Julia both found men to appreciate them even when they didn’t want to be appreciated. Julia’s story of her teen years carried the novel for me and I was happy to see her get her happy ending (this is Sarah Addison Allen so I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying that).
I like magical realism, especially when done well, and need to read more. Let me know if you have a favorite.
This was from my personal library and I decided to read it after I saw it on Carrie’s 2012 favorites list.
Stacy's Books 
Don’t you love it when the right book comes along at the right time? I haven’t tried her work yet but do own a couple of her books. This one sounds wonderful!
LOVE SAA!
I really liked this book but I think Garden Spells is still my favorite. I enjoy all of her books though.
I keep reading great reviews and am very intrigued, I think I may try Garden Spells first. Sounds lovely Stacy.
This one sounds so good. Magical realism when done well is…magical!
This was the first SAA book I read and quickly searched out her other ones.
Thanks for reminding me I want to read another one of her books. She is a breath of fresh magical realistic air, isn’t she?
The author really has a loyal following, but I’ve read two of her books and just couldn’t love them. Maybe it was the narrator on the audio? I’m not totally sure, but I do appreciate the little magical things she puts in her stories.
Sandy, I listened to The Sugar Queen on audio and couldn’t get into it even though it’s the favorite of many, so I think some of the magic is lost in the audio. The two that I’ve read in print I’ve loved.
I don’t think I’ve heard of this one before, but I do like tha sound of it 🙂
Garden Spells is still my favorite, but I’ve read all of her books and loved each in their own unique way. She can write that magical element so well that you’re totally believing in it!!!
I have this one on my shelf but have yet to read it. But I need to. I like Addison’s style of magical realism, which is light and fun. Much of the magical realism I’ve read has been good but a lot more heady and deep. So she’s a good alternative when I need a lighter feel 🙂
I love Sarah Addison Allen’s novels! They are the PERFECT magical realism type of novels. I think I may have to re-read some soon.
I need to read Garden Spells first.
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I loved Garden Spells too, this one is waiting patiently for me 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
so glad you enjoyed it! I loved Garden Spells and have been meaning to read her next two books. Hasn’t happened yet though… *sigh*