Claudia Hampton is dying. As memories crowd in, she re-creates the mosiac of her life, her own story enmeshed with those of her brother, her lover and father of her daughter, and the centre of her life, Tom, her one great love both found and lost in the "mad fairyland" of war-torn Egypt.
Moon Tiger
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Leaves its traces in the air long after you've put it away (Anne Tyler )
A complex tapestry of great subtlety. Lively writes so well, savouring the words as she goes (Daily Telegraph )
Very clever: evocative, thought-provoking and hangs on the mind long after it is finished (Literary Review ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
A complex tapestry of great subtlety. Lively writes so well, savouring the words as she goes (Daily Telegraph )
Very clever: evocative, thought-provoking and hangs on the mind long after it is finished (Literary Review ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
Penelope Lively was born in Cairo in 1933. She has twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize; once in 1977 for her first novel, The Road to Lichfield, and again in 1984 for According to Mark. She later won the 1987 Booker Prize for her highly acclaimed novel Moon Tiger. Her novels include Passing On, City of the Mind, Cleopatra's Sister and Heat Wave, and many are published by Penguin.
Anthony Thwaite has published fourteen books of poems, including most recently A Move in the Weather (2003). He has taught in universities throughout the world, worked as a BBC radio producer, and is a former editor of The Listener and New Statesman. He is married to the biographer Ann Thwaite and in 1990 he received an OBE for services to poetry.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
'I'm writing a history of the world,' she says. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
'I'm writing a history of the world,' she says. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Isola
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Moon Tiger is the brand name of the mosquito repellent which slowly burns throughout the balmy nights of Claudia Hampton's brief affair in Egypt with a young tank commander, Tom Southern. And this is the emotional core of Penelope Lively's award winning novel as her protagonist lies dying in a London hospital bed. Once a beautiful, intelligent, unconventional historian & former war correspondent, fate helps turn Claudia into an egoistic person and callous mother. For this book is not only about love, but about war and the way it transforms whoever you were, into whoever you've become - and how you are individually viewed by others.
Now a cantankerous old patient with failing consciousness, Claudia Hampton's mind moves randomly across time and historical events to reconstruct the strata of her life. The author presents her story in an unusual way, which I found a little difficult to follow at first. Some of the narrative is told in the past tense and some in the present tense, and it skips from 1st to 3rd person; it also alternates narrative voices. I think this 200 page novel benefits a second reading; "I'm writing a history of the world," she says. And the hands of the nurse are arrested for a moment...... "Well, my goodness" ...... "Upsy a bit dear, there's a good girl - then we'll get you a nice cup of tea."
This moving, poignant story that captures the last thoughts of a dying woman is a compelling read and a well deserved Booker Prize winner. I always enjoy Penelope Lively's understated way of writing, but for some unknown reason I have only just read 'Moon Tiger' over the weekend. I loved it - and this haunting evocation of love and loss must surely be her finest work.
Now a cantankerous old patient with failing consciousness, Claudia Hampton's mind moves randomly across time and historical events to reconstruct the strata of her life. The author presents her story in an unusual way, which I found a little difficult to follow at first. Some of the narrative is told in the past tense and some in the present tense, and it skips from 1st to 3rd person; it also alternates narrative voices. I think this 200 page novel benefits a second reading; "I'm writing a history of the world," she says. And the hands of the nurse are arrested for a moment...... "Well, my goodness" ...... "Upsy a bit dear, there's a good girl - then we'll get you a nice cup of tea."
This moving, poignant story that captures the last thoughts of a dying woman is a compelling read and a well deserved Booker Prize winner. I always enjoy Penelope Lively's understated way of writing, but for some unknown reason I have only just read 'Moon Tiger' over the weekend. I loved it - and this haunting evocation of love and loss must surely be her finest work.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read this book because it was a Booker Prize winner. I love this book because it's deep beyond words. I found it incredibly moving. The lyrical way Ms. Lively blends the past with the present is amazing. In the end you feel you've lived life right along side the main character, Claudia. She has become at once a relative you never knew you had. Her thoughts and fears take hold of you and despite your feelings about her choices in life, you care about her and are moved. The detailed historical references and incredible imagery are not to be missed.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Hazy Daisy
Format:Paperback
I always loved the cover of this book and got it out of the library with every intention of reading three or four times before I actually did read it. Thank goodness I did, is all I can say!
Claudia's 'kaleidoscopic history' is beautifully recounted by the dying woman, loved and hated by those around her, slipping seamlessly between past and present. Every character feels human and alive, and even though there are aspects of Claudia's story that we know (without being told) pretty much from the outset, you can't help wishing that things would be different. Despite this, I just know that this story would be half as good if any detail was changed. I think the thing that makes it the most poignant is that this is such a vibrant life, and yet the nurse has to ask the doctor 'Was she somebody?' It's as though Claudia has already died, and I felt to a large extent that she had, because the really vital Claudia was left behind with the characters who died before her, and it's just a shadow lying in the hospital bed.
This is a beautiful story of life and love, my favourite book of all time (which is certainly saying something). Try Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier if you like this, I thought there were a few similarities.
Claudia's 'kaleidoscopic history' is beautifully recounted by the dying woman, loved and hated by those around her, slipping seamlessly between past and present. Every character feels human and alive, and even though there are aspects of Claudia's story that we know (without being told) pretty much from the outset, you can't help wishing that things would be different. Despite this, I just know that this story would be half as good if any detail was changed. I think the thing that makes it the most poignant is that this is such a vibrant life, and yet the nurse has to ask the doctor 'Was she somebody?' It's as though Claudia has already died, and I felt to a large extent that she had, because the really vital Claudia was left behind with the characters who died before her, and it's just a shadow lying in the hospital bed.
This is a beautiful story of life and love, my favourite book of all time (which is certainly saying something). Try Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier if you like this, I thought there were a few similarities.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Moon ~Tiger
I like Penelope Lively but have to admit I am struggling with this one. I have put it aside for now
Published 1 month ago by S. M. Pettit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deserved and won the Booker Prize
Beautifully written and probative, this backward look over a lifetime is fascinating. It is short and remarkable. Book group alert!
Published 1 month ago by MARILYN G. DERIGHT
1.0 out of 5 stars
dreary
The story of a selfish and unlikeable old lady looking back at her life which is filled with other thoroughly unlikeable people.
Published 3 months ago by minerva
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book Club Read
An interesting book which opened my eyes to what the British ex pats were doing in Egypt during the North African Campaign in the Second World War!!
Published 3 months ago by Mrs S Watkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Bought as a gift for a close friend. It's probably one of the best Booker Prize winners ever; beautifully judged and constructed.
Published 4 months ago by MR ALASDAIR N MACDONALD
4.0 out of 5 stars
Booker Prize Winner
Penelope Lively is a wonderful writer and the perfection of her prose never fails to give me pleasure, not to mention the excellent plotlines. Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. G. Hutton
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rambling, dreary and pretentious
The best that can be said of the narrative is that it wafts about, neither illuminating nor entertaining. The characters are ciphers without weight, substance or interest. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Will Moss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Final Recollections of An Eventful Life
Before buying this book I would suggest reading not only the 'description' but also the review by Mary Whipple who (from other reviews she has written) seems to be a very... Read more
Published 6 months ago by talmine
3.0 out of 5 stars
book review
interesting book which is well written. very detailed so did'nt find it easy to read before going to sllep. however enjoyed it
Published 6 months ago by Mrs C A Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars
'A history of the the world...and my own'
An elderly woman, Claudia, looks back on her life from a hospital bed. It isn't the most promising advertisement for a good read, but 'Moon Tiger' I think justifies its status. Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. J. H. Thorn
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