Review of When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
Did I have “That’s Amore” playing on a loop in my head every time I picked up John Scalzi’s latest gem? Absolutely! As a longtime fan of Scalzi, I was eager to dive into When the Moon Hits Your Eye, a book that dares to ask, "How would humanity react if the moon turned to cheese?" Trust me, it’s a wonderfully absurd question that sets the stage for a hilariously insightful exploration of human nature.
From the outset, this book took me in a direction I never expected. Unlike Scalzi’s previous works I’ve enjoyed, which followed a more linear trajectory, When the Moon Hits Your Eye presents a series of vignettes that revolve around this ludicrous premise. The novel drops us right into a universe where the moon’s transformation into cheese is an accepted fact, but its cause remains a tantalizing mystery. As Scalzi cleverly notes, “I can’t pretend I can explain the moon turning into cheese… but that doesn’t mean it isn’t explainable” (pg. 77). This acknowledgment of the unknown gives the story a delightful air of comedic absurdity while allowing the focus to shift to the chaos and creativity sparked in its wake.
What truly captivated me were the myriad characters we encountered, each reflecting a different aspect of human life and society. There’s the politician embroiled in a compromising situation involving brie, and a young writer struggling to rekindle her passion for storytelling against this backdrop of cosmic dairy. These small glimpses into people’s lives reveal how a singular event—the moon’s cheesy transformation—can ripple through every facet of society. I absolutely loved how Scalzi captures the absurdity of life, ranging from trivial disputes at cheese shops to profound existential conversations.
Scalzi’s light, humorous writing style shines through every page. He deftly balances laughter with thoughtful commentary on human nature, politics, religion, and science, without ever leaning too far into doom and gloom. It seemed to me that this book is less about the moon itself and more about how we respond to absurdities in our world—something that feels particularly resonant today. With environmental crises looming over us, the book suggests that we all react differently to crises, sometimes reducing our responses to the ridiculous.
The pacing is brisk, effectively allowing Scalzi to play with various scenarios and character arcs in a short span of time. This was refreshing, making each vignette feel like a delicious bite of cheese rather than a heavy meal. Readers who may shy away from traditional sci-fi tropes will find a welcoming entry point here, thanks to Scalzi’s wit and keen observations.
In conclusion, When the Moon Hits Your Eye is a delightful blend of humor and social commentary that invites readers to reflect on how we navigate absurdity and crisis. It’s perfect for those looking to dip their toes into science fiction with a humorous angle, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re curious about how literature can examine not just an event but a spectrum of human experience surrounding it, this book is definitely for you. I’m grateful to Tor Books for sending me a copy, and I left with a smile—and a new appreciation for cheese!
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