Ah! "Seasons of the Moon" by Julien Aranda, Roland Glasser (Translator) was a majestic, poetic, interesting and insightful novel. A tale of a boy, throughout his life, his good deeds, his choices, leading to many events and twists, with all the souls he has touched and affected. Magnificently written. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

An evocative and emotional novel that moves past it's WWII genre beginning. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I am not sure if it was the translation of this book or if the author purposefully choose the way this book was written, but i found myself struggling bit with the chosen way the character was voiced in this book. Especially during his hunger years and his education level, i had problems seeing his character actually using the words that were used. Which farmers son speaks like an educated person? I am not putting down farmers, but i also don't think that a lot of those people before and during the second World war had the best education. Or where especially well read. They had a lot of hard work to do. Education took a step back.
So reading about this type of character in a voice that felt too educated didn't work for me.
As i said, i don't know if its the translation that changed the tone of voice and with that made it harder for me to enjoy the book. Or if its a choice of the author.

But for me this book has some good ideas and a nice plot, but the writing didn't work for me, sadly.

A great read, highly recommends this to fans of the genre. This book will go on the list to purchase

It sounded like it was going to be an interesting read. It wasn't and I gave up. I shouldn't be so unfair. The book likely appeal to other readers. There's enough to get someone's interest, I think, just not mine. Sorry.

Seasons of the Moon is about remaining human when everything seems to be against it. Narrated by the protagonist himself, the story follows Paul Verdune’s life from his birth. Shaped by the events of his childhood, Paul tries to keep the ever present smile on his lips and his faith in humanity in all circumstances. He is an easily likeable and well built character. I loved how he was constantly thinking about the consequences of his own actions and tried to find reasons behind the actions of others.
The story is slow sometimes, as others have pointed out, but I didn’t mind it, I think it is essential to get to know Paul’s mindset.
I gave this book four stars, because I found the writing and sometimes the choice of words a bit forced. I’ve read the English translation, maybe the original - French - version is flawless.

My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for providing me a review copy.

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

Seasons of the Moon by Julien Aranda and translated by Roland Glasser is a beautifully written book that tells the story of Paul Vertune. For being a book that was translated into English, I was amazed at how beautifully the language flowed. The author tells a sweeping, captivating story for the very first sentence on the very first page. It will leave you breathless with its journey and reads so realistically that it will have you questioning whether or not it is a work of fiction. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

Seasons of the Moon by Julien Aranda (translated by Roland Glasser) is the one man’s story through life. Beginning with his birth, Paul Vertune was the youngest son of a farmer on the Brittany coast of France. From the very beginning, it was clear that Paul was not destined for a life as a farmer. From the age of 6, he dreamed of becoming a sailor and seeing the world. However, the world had other ideas. Soon World War II breaks out and his village is under German occupation. After a brief encounter with a German solider, who shows a young man in love mercy, Paul gives a promise that would he was determined to fulfill. He promises this German soldier to tell his daughter he loves her. At 18, Paul is drafted and spends his enlistment at the hands of a cruel drill sergeant. After his time in the army, he marries his childhood sweetheart, Mathilde, and sets out to fulfil his dream and his promise. Will he be able to find the German soldier’s daughter? Or will she be lost to the chaos in the aftermath of war?
Seasons of the Moon is a deeply retrospective, emotional story about the endless possibilities of life and finding the beauty in it all. While the book was slow in parts, I enjoyed reading Paul’s journey through life as he experiences life altering events which teach him that life is precious despite its hardships. It is a beautiful story of one man’s journey through life and his determination to fulfill a promise. I also enjoyed how Mr. Aranda used the phases of the moon as Paul enters a new phase in his life. I recommend Seasons of the Moon.

Seasons of the Moon
is available in paperback and eBook

A beautifully written story, and love the cover!! The story is so much more than a Historical fuction...it's a magical gripping story. Could not not put it down and want to read it again!

Beautifully written

Although listed as historical fiction this is more a reflection on life, circumstance and being true to yourself.
The story centres on farmers boy Paul, who aged 15 is saved by a Nazi soldier from being killed. Paul now finds this same soldier captured, and with his last gasps asks Paul to please find his daughter and to let her know that her father loved her.

So far so good, but this isn’t your regular WW2 tale as it evolves into a memoir of Pauls life which takes the reader on a beautiful journey.

The book has quite a slow start and as other reviewers have commented it takes a while to lure you in, but once in, the story ebbs and flows in a lyrical fashion despite being a translation from French to English.

If you are expecting a formulaic World War 2 novel you will be pleasantly surprised by this moving and powerful debut novel.

My thanks go to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read an advance copy of this book.

Seasons of the Moon is a beautifully written historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the premise. The cover is beautiful as well.

What a wonderful surprise. I wasn't expecting much for some reason, but was really blown away by the wonderful writing and characters of this book. Love his sensitivity and curiosity of life. Love that I got full closure of all characters in the end. Thank you Netgalley!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

What an utterly delightful read with a main character, Paul, whom you will fall in love with. Even during some of the sadder points in the story, you can't help but see how these events shaped Paul and the memories he held so fondly.

The book tells the story of a boy as he grows into a man and his relationships with his family, friends and wife over the course of his life. At a young age he is different from the rest, more empathetic and a dreamer who always sees the good of things, and often ridiculed by the people he craves recognition from for it.

As a young boy his life is spared by a solider whom he makes a promise to, and throughout the course of the book his experiences and stories with the other characters lead him through his attempts at keeping this promise.

The first chapter describing his birth sets the tone for the book and the author wrote it in such a beautiful way that you can't help but keep reading.

My favorite passage from the book:
"He understood from an early age that we all carry good and evil within us, like two suitcases which we fill as we please....humanity is built upon a strange contradiction that manipulates us from the shadows. He preferred to nurture the light rather than seek refuge in the darkness."

A magical read which takes the reader on a beautiful story about the son of a wheat farmer who at the end of World War Two makes a promise to a dying Nazi soldier that he will find his daughter and tell her that her father loved her.
This promise sets the scene for Paul the young man's life.
As a boy he was a bit of a dreamer who would gaze at the moon and dream of leaving his father farm to become a sailor.
In man hood he fulfils his dream to become a sailor but he never forgets his promise to a dying man.
A really feel good read

I was drawn to the initial description of this story "At the close of World War II, a chance encounter sets the course for one man’s destiny…"

This was so much more than a WWII novel, it was a beautiful meditation on life, fate, being true to yourself and thinking about how each decision you make, no matter how trivial, will shape the life that you live. This was the debut novel from french author, Julien Aranda, and it was positively hypnotic in it's thoughtfulness, yet it also had a charming simplicity. The book was subtle, yet powerful and a fairly short read. I found myself tearing through the pages and unable to put it down. Paul Vertune was a very special character, as were the people that came in and out of his life. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I hope to read his future works.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Seasons of the Moon was a lyrical and nicely meandering read. A boy destined to become a wheat farmer but whose choices change the direction of his life as the moon change in the sky.


The language is beautiful and magical. Very insightful too:

when you're a kid, you want to grow up fast. when you're older, you want to be a child again. i tell you, humanity has been built on a paradox since the very start. there's no logic to it. "

The language I initially found flowery became a reflection of Paul’s sensitive nature and how he perceived the world. It’s like having a life flash before you as time slows down at significant times and speeds over the rest. A nice touch which allows you to longer and place the jigsaw pieces together.

Paul is a sensitive and likeable soul. His relationship with the moon and the sea, the way he makes friends with the sea and the full circle of life how he comes to help that soldier to find his daughter.

A story of how life, moons, decisions can change everything.

Blog review will go live on Sunday 24th September 2017

Seasons of the Moon is historical fiction which follows the life of Paul Vertune from birth during the German occupation of France in WWII.

Paul is a highly sensitive child who is loved dearly by his mother, scorned by his father and has difficult relationships with his older brothers. Nothing he does can make his father proud of him and when he grows up he ultimately decides to leave the family wheat farming business and set out on his own.

This highly moving story takes you through his life from birth to death. It is a little slow moving but is filled with wonderful human insights, both sad and happy, that keep you wanting to read just a little more before going to sleep!

I was provided an e-arc by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The book opens with the birth of our main character, Paul Vertune and follows him throughout his life. It reads like a memoir but Paul Vertune is a fictional character. The entire time I was pulling for Paul and became attached to him as well as the side character.

Unfortunately, the book seemed to drag on and felt very repetitive with his search to find the German Soldier's daughter, which is the a focal point of the story (not a spoiler, it is in the description). The side adventures were fun and entertaining. If the pacing was better I would give it a four.

I can see why so many people love this book because it does have a lot going for it and for that I give it a solid 3. It's not the best book but not a bad book either. If you like this genre give it a go and you might just love.