Reviews

Days by Moonlight by André Alexis

coslyn's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a book where, had I read it as a troubled teen, I think it either might have annoyed me to no end or struck me in the heart at a hidden vulnerability that I was desperately trying to pretend I didn't have. As a troubled, but somewhat settled adult well on their way to actually defining their perspective on life—it's not that it hasn't affected me, but I think that the effect is certainly less intense. 

It's strange. It felt like to me a meditation on grief and a little reflection on personal responsibility. Some points at which directly explored my own take on such things which was fun to see articulated elsewhere.  

A line sticks out: "It is possible to do the right thing" and I think if I'm going to take anything away from this, it will be that.

On a less philosophical tone: greatly enjoyed the writing. It's clear and emotional in the right ways with vivid descriptions. Alfred is an interesting protagonist to follow through this journey and him and Professor Bruno's dynamic carry the novel. 

It's a great road trip story. If you like long stretches of nature interspersed by little towns bursting with personality and history and a connecting throughline of trying to find out about this one man (and in doing so, finding out about the self) then give this book a chance. It may not be particularly 'exciting' but the things it has to say are worth listening to for those who have the few days to sit down and chew on it.

laurelrad's review

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

erinkatherin's review

4.0

What an interesting book. Though potentially unhelpful to folks who haven’t read it, it might be remembered by what it is not: it isn’t a story of reality, but neither is it fantasy, allegory, or speculative fiction. It does not have the tone of characters espousing beliefs of the author, but it doesn’t shy away from belief. It’s not plot-driven, and it isn’t slice of life.

It reminds me a bit of Salman Rushdie. Will read the rest by Alexis.

naxxiin's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

annettefunnycello's review

2.0

I wanted to like this. The narrator's (author's?) desire to teach us about Canada and/or Canadians got on my nerves. Perhaps on re-reading I'll find ways into it that downplay the self-awareness of the narrator/author but there are so many books to read; I might not get another chance at this one.

evanlorant's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

andre alexis greatest canadian writer of all time!!!!!!! quincunx as a whole is such a beautiful and motivated body of work, and days by moonlight is a great addition to the series. it’s like a contemporary take on the odyssey, with a healthy dose of cultural criticism and canadian idiosyncrasies to beef it up. the characters were so compelling and although the locations and themes varied so widely throughout the novel, it stayed really nicely focussed and i could feel the thread that tied each stop on the road trip together. the novel is just pure fun and joy, and i loved

the way that the homecoming theme of the odyssey is kind of flipped around, in that alfred’s home is the same and he is the one that’s changed, but that he finds that beautiful and he stays in awe of the place he’s lived in all his life. the magical powers coming in at 3/4 through the book definitely caught me off guard, but i tried to roll with it and actually came away understanding the value of it. although im still definitely not the biggest fan of that narrative crutch i think it worked here quite well!

in comparison to fifteen dogs and ring, i think the spirit of the novel is the same, which is such an astounding feat given how widely they all differ from each other. overall just a really beautiful life affirming story with enough weight to feel real but also sufficiently magical to feel like fiction. 

charlottelilac's review

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

mjayc3's review against another edition

3.5

So bizarre and so strange but I liked it. All his books in the Quincunx have been awesome (this is my fourth read of his). I’m sure smarter people than I will have a deeper understanding of parts of the travels and tales, but I just enjoyed the ride. 

penelopevoss's review

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Another amazing read from Andre Alexis - the way he meanders through the mundane right towards magical realism is striking and such a pleasure to read. Explores the human relationships to God and nature, and questions the difference - or if there is one? I loved this book. Highly recommend. 

csgiansante's review

3.0

3-3.5. I didn't really get what was going on most of the time, but there were some parts that were fun to read. Other parts really weird. And other parts dull and overly poetic. Maybe poetry isn't for me.