My friends know I am always reserved, except in this case. I don't want to be hyperbolic but it's hard not to say this is the best "genuine love story" I have read in my 56 years. What amazes me is how so much is contained in a mere 252 pages.


The author masterfully blends the suddenly twisted life of Rachel Marin—who travels in search of rebirth, following a failed marriage—with the lives of two legendary young lovers of a 1950s era Texas town. If I had to paint a descriptive image, I would say this: Half Moon, Full Heart is like "Romeo and Juliet" cross "The Bridges of Madison County" en route to "Cold Mountain."


The following excerpt line that first caught my attention, and prompted me to examine this novel is the following:

“Whole woman? Whole woman?” Rachel felt her heart banging against her chest wall. She felt an unfamiliar rage surge within her. “So I’m...I’m only whole because I have breasts? Is that what you’re saying? Is it? Damn you, David! Is that all I mean to you? You’d feel differently, if it were you...you with testicular cancer and one or both of your balls had to go.”


After reading this, I had no choice but to read this novel. After reading this book (and repeatedly, whenever I want to feel renewed and hopeful), I keep feeling this all happened somewhere, at some time, to someone.


Jane Austen Dickey