Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

Sallie Kincaid defies expectations in early 20th century America. Born into privilege, Sallie is cast out after a reckless incident with her half-brother. Nine years later, she returns as a bootlegger, determined to reclaim her place in the family and confront the town’s secrets and scandals.

Book review of Hang the Moon

Hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls is a historical novel that takes us on a journey with the Kincaids, a prominent family in rural Virginia during Prohibition and the Great Depression. The novel’s protagonist is Sallie, who is banished as a child by her father to live with her poor aunt. When her father is lost, Sallie must prove to him and the rest of the family that she has what it takes to run their “moonshining” business.

Walls’ writing style is captivating, and her descriptions of rural Virginia during that era are vivid and authentic. She has created a cast of lively, strong, and engaging characters, with Sallie being the standout as a strong-willed and intelligent heroine. The novel moves at a steady pace and has some surprising twists, although some of the plot devices are a bit repetitive, and a few of the twists are a little outlandish.

Despite these minor flaws, Hang the Moon is an enjoyable read that hangs together well as a family saga. The author’s talent for creating interesting, well-developed characters is evident throughout the book, and her writing is beautiful, compelling, and owns the reader until the end. The novel transports the reader back to a time of hardship, lawlessness, and family rivalries, and Walls’ ability to create characters that come to life on the page leaves the reader breathless from their reality.

The author’s descriptions of the moonshining business and the inner workings of the Kincaid family are engaging and informative, and she manages to infuse a sense of hope in a time of despair. Walls’ keen eye for detail aids her in rendering first-rate descriptions of rural Virginia during that era, and the mist coming off the mountains and the smell of the stills’ cooking fires seem almost palpable.

Specifications
	Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (March 28, 2023) Language ‏ : ‎ English Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501117297 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501117299 Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.23 pounds Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

About Article Author

Christopher Hill

Christopher Hill has worked in the publishing industry for more than 15 years for both international and national media. When he is not reading, he enjoys spending time with his three dogs, whom he considers his most loyal reading companions.