Envious Moon by Thomas Christopher Greene
Publisher: William Morrow (May 1, 2007)
Book summary: Envious Moon is a harrowing tale of the sometimes dark obsession, and often sensual beauty, that accompanies young love. With a nod to Romeo and Juliet and reminiscent of Endless Love, Thomas Christopher Greene tells the story of two young lovers and their journey to find perfection in each other's arms.
When young Anthony Lopes and his best friend set out from the small fishing community of Galilee, Rhode Island, to commit what they believe will be a victimless crime, they never imagined that it would change their lives forever.
They expected the mansion on the island bluffs to be empty. But inside they find a man and his daughter, Hannah. Haunted by her fleeting image and convinced he can atone for what happens to her father, Anthony is determined to find her.
My review: I picked this title up during a clearance sale after reading the summary. As I began the story the book jacket copy rang true, practically to perfection. And there lies the greatest strength with this book. Greene has created a supposed love story between a young poor Portuguese guy, Anthony, 17, and the beautiful, rich white girl, Hannah. During a botched break-in, Anthony spots Hannah standing by a staircase and stares at her, captivated like Romeo by her beauty. She can't see him hidden in the shadows, but her father grabs him and the older man winds up dying, accidentally.
Anthony can't forget the beautiful girl and returns to Hannah's island to watch over her. A summer romance begins. He throws away everything he's worked hard for: his jobs as a fisherman, his best friend, his mom, all to be with Hannah even though he knows the police are looking for him. Greene weaves an intricate plot around a charismatic main character grappling with the loss of his beloved father and determined to be with his true love. Anthony comes across as honest, gullible, hardworking and loving. It's his nice guy persona and his first person narration which snares the reader in the author's clever trap.
Envious Moon is a quick read. Anthony's narration keeps your interest and set against a small town along the eastern shore, one will fall into believing this is a modern tragic love story like West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet. This novel, suitable for older teens and adults, offers more than a doomed love affair and in typical mystery style, the mystery isn't revealed until the very end.
Rating: +++1/2
Favorite excerpt: "All I wanted to do was to see Hannah. I thought if I could see Hannah then maybe everything would be okay. If they found me, there was no way they would let me see her. But maybe if I went to them, it would be different. Maybe I could make a deal. I will talk to you, tell you what you want to know. In return, I want to be alone with Hannah. Let me explain all that happened. Let me tell her how much I love her, and how love can trump anything, even this." (Page 142.)
Cover comment: Interesting choice of colors and having the two pictures side-by-side with the young lovers on one, the moon on the other, subtly conveys the mood of the novel.
Book source: Purchased.
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