Raven Stole the Moon in Q&A with Garth Stein

Jun 26, 2010 Susy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Garth Stein is my new favorite author after reading The Art of Racing in the Rain - which has achieved cult status I think. I was eager to read his first novel which was rereleased this spring. Set in both Seattle and southeast Alaska, the story is sadly touching & requires the reader to trust in the spiritual, magical world of Tlingit religion. As an athropolgy major, this was a fascinating read and while I would never wish to experience first hand what drove Jenna to Wrangell, Alaska to make p ...more

Like · see review

Mar 24, 2011 PJ Swanwick rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

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.

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 inst 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.

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.

For more reviews of new age novels, see . ...more

Like · see review

Jun 08, 2010 korey rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book just falls short of 4 stars. It's Garth Stein's first book, nothing like The Art of Racing in the Rain, but it definitely stands on its own. I was surprised how scary the story was. I loved the Alaskan Indian stories/myths and the storyline was good. It just fell apart for me and the very end so that's why I can't give this 4 stars. It was just too silly and unbelievable. But, I did enjoy the book overall. ...more

Like · see review

Oct 18, 2008 Riah rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

I definitely took my sweet time reading this book, but did truly enjoy it. And part of why I was able to do so is that the story just "sticks with you" like oatmeal, except a little scarier. I enjoy Garth Stein's novel and am glad with this re-release that he decided not make changes to the original release. I became very absorbed in the plot, and yes the characters were pretty paper thin, but they each had their specific representations and the author maintained them throughout. ...more

Like · see review