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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: A Review

 

Dragons who can’t fly, old men who live in the sky, and talking fish. Whoever says making up fairy tales is a practice of centuries ago hasn’t read Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. The book follows the story of a young girl named Minli. She lives with her mother and father in a poor village at the bottom of Fruitless Mountain. Though the family lives a meager life, Minli’s father, Ba, tries to lift the family’s spirits by telling colorful stories. Despite, Ba’s attempts to distract the family from their current struggles, Minli’s mother, Ma, often complains about their poor fortune. Feeling the pressure of Ma’s words, Minli decides to go on a journey to find the Old Man of the Moon, a mystical figure who she believes can change her family’s fortune. With the help of a dragon, caring people, and faith in finding the impossible, Minli embarks on a journey to change her family’s fortune and much more.

I came across this book in Barnes & Nobel, randomly. This is a book that I knew nothing about. I hadn’t seen it pop up on any best of lists, seen that it was going to be turned into movie, or some streaming service miniseries. Not to say that this book is not on someone’s Top 10 list or that some Hollywood production company isn’t blowing up Grace Lin’s phone with movie offers at this very moment, I just happened upon it one night at a bookstore. I spotted it in the children’s section, and I’m not going to lie, I was drawn to the cover. But before you judge me for being one of those book buyers that literally judges a book by its cover, just know that I also read the back of the book too. Feel free stop judging when you’re ready.

In all seriousness, the front cover of this book caught my eye and I’m glad it did. The artwork on the book and inside its pages is warm and whimsical. It’s very hard to believe that any of these drawings were created in the 21^st century. They truly feel like ancient art found in the remains of some rich lords home or works that would be on display as a part of an 18^th century Chinese museum exhibit.

Before I gush too much about the illustrations I have to highlight the most import part—the story. Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a delightful tale with great lessons and great characters. It contains messages that young and older readers can appreciate. Without giving too much away I will say that the book explores the idea of fortune and the importance of telling stories and listening to them. The characters’ emotions and desires are expressed very simply, while leaving a strong impression of who they are and what they are going through. The story’s protagonist, Minli, is filled with hope, so much so that she goes on a quest with no guarantee that she will find what she is seeking. She often experiences doubt and feels the pain of those around her. Short stories are told throughout the book. The short stories help to shine a light on how folktales and fairytales can introduce to morals and personal growth into our lives. Though the stories are filled with magical and inexplicable elements, they are very much grounded in worldly problems. This is why the book’s title, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, is very fitting. The setting of the book can be compared to a place where the earth meets the heavens or in another metaphorical sense, where the mundane meets the spiritual.

Reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon felt like witnessing a passion project fully realized. You can tell a great amount of research was put into this story. The author even states at the end of book that she was inspired by story books she was introduced to during her childhood and by Chinese architecture and art. The details both small and large help create the landscape of the books setting and help to transport the reader to a new place.

This book is definitely a wonderful gift idea for young readers interested in fantasy and fairy tales. It is also a good recommendation for older readers, with childlike hearts, who want to escape to a distant land filled with magic and wonder.