Shout Down the Moon

By Lisa Tucker

Book Overview

From the acclaimed author of The Song Reader, Lisa Tucker delivers a powerful literary novel set in the American South, where a young mother and aspiring singer fights to protect her son and find her voice in a deeply emotional story of resilience, survival, and self-discovery.Patty Taylor has endured more than most--an unstable childhood, a toxic relationship, and years of hardship--but she refuses to give up. Now, touring with a band and raising her young son, Willie, she's determined to build a better future. But when Willie's father is released from prison and reenters her life, threatening everything she's worked for, Patty is forced to confront her past and make impossible choices. As she navigates danger, motherhood, and the struggle to be heard in a male-dominated music world, Patty must find the strength to stand up for herself--and discover the power of her own voice. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, this moving novel explores family, survival, music, and the courage it takes to become the hero of your own story.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074346446X
• ISBN13: 9780743464468
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Shout Down the Moon

I was moved by Shout Down the Moon. I couldn't put it down for days, on the way to and from work and would intentionally not read it at home so I would have something to look forward to on the long subway rides to and from Manhattan. This morning, I could not even come to work until I finished reading a certain section. I went into a coffee shop and read and read until I knew what had happened in the scene. Although I have never had such experiences in my own life as these characters have had, the character development in this book was amazing. I have never felt for characters as I do for Willie, Patty and Jonathan. I was angered by Sylvia, saddened and scared senseless by Rick and touched by Willie. I almost told my husband about something Willie did before I remembered he was a character. I am still emotionally stirred since this morning in the coffee shop. I can't wait to read Lisa Tucker's other books

Exquisite

Once more, Lisa Tucker delights me. With another tale flavored with music and motherhood, Mrs. Tucker peels back the skin of Patty Tucker, young mother and singer with the Patty Tucker Band, a floundering jazz quartet turned pop band. Patty needs this job, this chance. She's not the girl she once was. She has a new voice now, a mother's wail, loud enough, strong enough to shout down the moon. Don't miss this. Patty Tucker is someone you want to meet. She'll be with me always.

Wonderfully Compelling

From the first page of SHOUT DOWN THE MOON, I was hooked. I am a big fan of Lisa Tucker's, and I wasn't surprised that this book was as wonderful as her first novel. The narrator and main character, Patty, is completely believeable and likeable throughout the book. How she deals with issues in her life--mainly when her ex-boyfriend, Rick, comes back into her life, and her everyday dealings with difficult band members--is truly astounding. She really grows and changes throughout the book, and by the end becomes much stronger and more self-assured. What I particularly liked about the book was how it portrayed life on the road with a band AND a small child. Even though Patty has been through a lot in her life, and has to deal with very uncomfortable situations, she has a fierce love for her son and is able to view the world in a positive light.I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to be taken away from their own world for awhile! It's a glimpse into a woman's life who, like most of us, is struggling to make something of herself and find her place in the world. A definite five stars!

Lisa Tucker writes from the heart

I just picked up The Philadelphia Inquirer and read Lisa Tucker's interview with Tanya Barrientos. I'm delighted that this fabulous new author is getting the attention and respect her wonderful, intelligent writing deserves. I saw Ms Tucker speak at a Borders in Philadelphia and was just blown away by her. She's funny, really smart, and writing about women and class in a way that that's honest, provocative, and really, REALLY entertaining. I gave THE SONG READER to every woman in my family last year for Christmas. This year SHOUT DOWN THE MOON will be in every stocking--if I can possibly wait that long to share my new favorite book. Tucker tells the story of Patty Taylor and her son Willie with riviting, passionate intensity. I laughed, I cried. What more could you ask from a good story?

Powerful and page turning

This is a fineexample of a literary page turner. It has a fast moving and moving plot, extremely well drawn characters, a strong and meaningful theme. For long sections I forgot I was reading at all. And then I'd read a sentance that would be so insightful about love or music that I'd force myself to stop reading so I could think about what she was saying. I think if I had to compare it to anything it would be the more powerful examples of Joyce Carol Oates fiction.