Finding Moon
Encyclopedia
Finding Moon is a novel written in 1996 by Tony Hillerman
. The novel is based on an idea that Hillerman had developed and intended to set in post-World War II Europe; in fact, many characters are named after soldiers he knew while serving. He would later set the story in Southeast Asia
in 1975, coinciding with the fall of Saigon, the rise of the Khmer Rouge
in Cambodia
, and the beginning of the Marcos era in the Philippines
.
The plot concerns Moon Mathias, the managing editor of a small Colorado newspaper. When Moon receives a call that his mother has collapsed from a heart attack in an airport across the nation from her home, he discovers that his mother was on her way to Manila to bring his deceased brother's daughter to the United States. With his mother incapacitated, Moon takes over the mission and flies to Cambodia to try to find the niece he didn't know existed and to redeem himself to his mother.
This novel is different in tone from many of Hillerman's other works, especially as it is not a mystery in the traditional sense. There is an investigation of sorts as Moon discovers the details of his brother's life, but no crime instigates the search.
Tony Hillerman
Tony Hillerman was an award-winning American author of detective novels and non-fiction works best known for his Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels...
. The novel is based on an idea that Hillerman had developed and intended to set in post-World War II Europe; in fact, many characters are named after soldiers he knew while serving. He would later set the story in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
in 1975, coinciding with the fall of Saigon, the rise of the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
in Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, and the beginning of the Marcos era in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
The plot concerns Moon Mathias, the managing editor of a small Colorado newspaper. When Moon receives a call that his mother has collapsed from a heart attack in an airport across the nation from her home, he discovers that his mother was on her way to Manila to bring his deceased brother's daughter to the United States. With his mother incapacitated, Moon takes over the mission and flies to Cambodia to try to find the niece he didn't know existed and to redeem himself to his mother.
This novel is different in tone from many of Hillerman's other works, especially as it is not a mystery in the traditional sense. There is an investigation of sorts as Moon discovers the details of his brother's life, but no crime instigates the search.
Publication information
- "Finding Moon" HarperCollins http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061092619/Finding_Moon/index.aspx, Mass Market cows, 1996; Pages: 384; ISBN 0061092614.