In his latest novel, “When the Moon Hits Your Eye,” John Scalzi proves once again why he’s one of science fiction’s most engaging voices. Taking what could have been a one-note joke – the moon suddenly turning into cheese—Scalzi crafts a surprisingly deep meditation on how humanity faces existential threats, all while maintaining his signature wit and charm.
The Story
Set across exactly one lunar cycle, the novel follows multiple characters as they grapple with an unprecedented astronomical phenomenon: the moon has inexplicably transformed into cheese. This premise could easily have descended into pure farce, but Scalzi handles it with remarkable dexterity, using the absurd situation to explore very real human reactions to crisis.
The narrative unfolds through 30 chapters, each representing a day in the lunar cycle, viewed through different perspectives across the United States. From astronauts and scientists struggling to understand the impossible, to regular folks trying to maintain normalcy in the face of cosmic dairy products, each chapter presents a unique window into how different segments of society process this bizarre event.
Writing Style and Structure
Scalzi’s prose remains as accessible and engaging as ever, though this novel represents a departure from his usual style. Instead of following a linear narrative with a central protagonist, he opts for a mosaic approach, weaving together various viewpoints and experiences. This choice proves particularly effective, allowing readers to see how the crisis affects different aspects of society:
- The political response through the eyes of White House staff
- The scientific community’s struggle to understand the impossible
- Religious leaders attempting to reconcile faith with cosmic cheese
- Regular citizens trying to maintain normalcy
- Media and entertainment industry’s reaction to potential apocalypse
Strengths
- Character Development: Despite the episodic nature of the narrative, Scalzi manages to create memorable, distinct characters even in their brief appearances. Each voice feels authentic and unique.
- Humor Management: The author walks a delicate line between acknowledging the inherent absurdity of the premise while treating the human reactions with respect and authenticity.
- Scientific Speculation: While obviously working with an impossible premise, Scalzi’s exploration of the scientific implications feels well-researched and thoughtful.
- Social Commentary: The novel provides subtle but effective commentary on how society handles crisis, from conspiracy theories to political opportunism.
Areas for Improvement
- Pacing Inconsistencies: Some chapters feel more substantial than others, leading to occasional unevenness in the reading experience.
- Limited Global Perspective: While the focus on American reactions makes sense from a narrative standpoint, the limited international perspective feels like a missed opportunity.
- Character Connections: Some readers might find the lack of recurring characters challenging for emotional investment.
Themes and Analysis
At its heart, “When the Moon Hits Your Eye” explores several profound themes:
- How humanity faces the incomprehensible
- The role of science and faith in crisis
- The importance of human connection in the face of doom
- The absurdity of maintaining societal structures when facing extinction
Comparison to Other Works
While unique in its premise, the novel shares DNA with other works exploring humanity’s reaction to cosmic events, such as Arthur C. Clarke’s “Rendezvous with Rama” and Don DeLillo’s “White Noise,” though with a decidedly more humorous approach. Fans of Scalzi’s previous works, particularly “The Kaiju Preservation Society” and “Starter Villain,” will recognize his talent for blending serious themes with playful premises.
Technical Execution
The novel’s structure is ambitious, and for the most part, successful. Scalzi manages to maintain narrative momentum despite the episodic nature of the story, though some transitions between chapters feel smoother than others. The author’s research into astronomy, physics, and geology shows, even as he playfully subverts scientific reality with his central premise.
Impact and Relevance
While ostensibly about a moon made of cheese, the novel resonates strongly with contemporary concerns about climate change, pandemic response, and how society handles existential threats. Scalzi’s exploration of media response, conspiracy theories, and political maneuvering feels particularly relevant to our current moment.
Final Thoughts
“When the Moon Hits Your Eye” represents a bold experiment in structure and tone for Scalzi, and largely succeeds in its ambitions. While not perfect, it offers a unique blend of humor and humanity that makes it both entertaining and thought-provoking. The novel proves that even the most absurd premises can serve as vehicles for exploring profound truths about human nature.
Pros:
- Innovative structure
- Balanced handling of absurd premise
- Strong character moments
- Effective blend of humor and gravity
Cons:
- Uneven pacing in places
- Limited global perspective
- Some narrative threads feel underdeveloped
Recommendation
Highly recommended for:
- Fans of literary science fiction
- Readers who enjoy humor with their apocalypse
- Those interested in social commentary through speculative fiction
- Admirers of experimental narrative structures
Less suitable for:
- Readers who prefer linear narratives
- Those seeking hard science fiction
- Readers who need a central protagonist to follow
About the Author
John Scalzi continues to prove himself as one of science fiction’s most versatile voices. With this novel, coming after “The Kaiju Preservation Society” and “Starter Villain,” he completes what he considers a loose trilogy of contemporary-set novels dealing with extraordinary situations. His ability to balance humor with serious themes while maintaining scientific plausibility (within the constraints of his premises) remains impressive.
Conclusion
“When the Moon Hits Your Eye” is a remarkable achievement that transcends its seemingly silly premise to deliver a thoughtful exploration of human nature. While it may not be perfect, its ambition, execution, and heart make it a standout entry in Scalzi’s bibliography and contemporary science fiction as a whole. It proves that sometimes the most absurd premises can lead to the most insightful conclusions about human nature and society.
The novel stands as a testament to Scalzi’s growth as a writer, showing his ability to experiment with structure and style while maintaining his signature accessibility and wit. It’s a book that will make you laugh, think, and possibly look at both the moon and your cheese board differently.
