The Man Whose Wife Was The Moon By Mike Russell (Review)

Today on the blog dear reader I am reviewing The Man Whose Wife Was The Moon (Published 19 Aug 2021) By Mike Russell. A big thank you to Strange Books for sending me a copy to read and review, always appreciated. This is not the first time I have dived into Russell’s strange and unusual world, check out my previous Strange Books reviews here, enjoy.       

The Man Whose Wife Was The Moon

The year is 1969. Astronomer Arthur Hart has two loves: his wife and the moon… that is until his two loves appear to become one. Mike Russell’s The Man Whose Wife Was The Moon is a magical novella. Filled with extraordinary imagery, humorous and heartrending, Mike Russell’s latest book is a passionate invitation to rediscover the moon in all its mystery and wonder.

About The Author

Mike Russell was born in 1973. He grew up in the small village of Pulborough in the south of England. As a child, he enjoyed daydreaming, art and writing strange stories. As an adult, he enjoys daydreaming, art and writing strange stories. Mike Russell was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from Falmouth University and a Master of Arts from the University of Central England. Mike Russell’s books have been described as Strange Fiction, Magical Realism, Surrealism, Weird Fiction, Weird Lit, Absurdist Fiction, Metaphysical Fiction, Fantasy Fiction… but he just likes to call them Strange Books.

My Review

The year is 1969 and Astronomer Arthur Hart is giving a lecture about his two loves. His wife, Molly and the Moon. That’s right dear reader, I said the Moon. But how can one be in love with the Moon? Surely that’s impossible? Right? Well think again because in Russell’s world everything is possible, no matter how odd or unusual it may seem, there is always a way. Always.

Arthur talks in his lectures about how there is an aspect of the Moon that cannot be photographed and cannot be seen with even the most advanced telescopes. He hopes that his lectures will inspire people to view the Moon from a different angle, to gaze upon her in awe and wonder; that she is more than just a giant rock in the sky. I mean, when you think about it dear reader, it is pretty mind-blowing how the universe works. We see the Moon everyday and think nothing of it yet if it were to suddenly disappear the consequences would be catastrophic. This rock in the sky is so much more than she appears to be. Russell’s writing shows you this curiosity and fascination through the eyes of someone who is in love with the impossible. You struggle to get your head around it at first but that’s the beauty of Russell’s strange worlds, nothing is ever as it seems. They expand your mind, your imagination and show you a new, different approach to the world we live in. 

I really felt for Arthur throughout the book. He is a humble, innocent character who just wants to share his love of the Moon with people. The things he goes through shock you and you begin to sympathise more with his passion. He is desperate to tell people of his love for the Moon, for people to understand his desire for her. He talks about the Moon as a subject not an object and explains how she embodies the feminine just as the Sun embodies the masculine. He is not talking about gender or sexuality but about the fundamental principles that exist within us all, regardless of our gender or our sexuality. He goes on to explain how every one of us has both the masculine and the feminine principles within us. In some of us the masculine principle is more dominant, while in others the feminine principle is more dominant but they both exist within us all. Arthur is fascinated with the Moon’s extraordinary nature, her power, her mystery and her significance, and hopes that in studying them, we as a society can regain that which we have lost. It’s powerful stuff and really gets you thinking.

I give The Man Whose Wife Was The Moon By Mike Russell a Four out of Five paw rating.

An experience like no other, the world of Mike Russell will always leave you yearning for more. The strangeness of it all is what makes his writing refreshing and unique to read.

As always with Russell’s writing he takes you to peculiar and magical places that you would never deem possible. He expands your mind and gets you thinking outside of the box; or in this case, circle. It is always a mesmerising experience exploring Russell’s world, to wander around and gaze at all the bizarre beautiful imagery that will leave you tranquil and at one with the world. You feel connected to something different, something unnatural, something strange. And it’s a marvellous feeling dear reader.

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