The Moon and More

The Moon and More is Sarah Dessen's eleventh book, published in June 2013, and is a Young adult novel.The protagonist, Emaline is a Colby native,a small beachside town, and so summer at the beach for her means hard work and a new population of beach goers. During this, her last summer before college, Emaline meets Theo while working for her family’s rental business. He’s a city boy who’s come to Colby as the assistant to a high-strung documentary filmmaker who’s in town to profile a reclusive local artist. Emaline knows he’s not her type, but she can’t help feeling drawn to him. And as their relationship develops, Emaline finds herself questioning her own goals, values, and choices in this classic Dessen romance.

Plot Summary

Emaline is spending the summer working for her family's real estate agency and getting ready to head to the local college in the fall. Her plans for the summer involve working at her family's realty, while hanging out with her two best friends Daisy and Morris, and her boyfriend Luke. She plans to attend the local university in the fall, East U, with her high school sweet heart Luke, on a full ride scholarship. Emaline longs for a summer like a tourist, one where she isn't a supporting character in someone else's summer romance; but where she is the lead in hers.

But things don't go according to plan. First, Emaline's biological father turns up in Colby. He had been urging Emaline to apply to Ivy League schools and even offered to help pay her tuition, but mysteriously rescinded his offer once she got into Columbia. Her father brings along her half brother Benji who she has to spend time with. Then Emaline starts noticing that she and Luke aren't as much in sync as usual, and that they haven't been since earlier that spring in April. Finally, a documentary filmmaker from New York shows up in town to interview Clyde Conway, a mysterious artist who disappeared at the height of his career. The filmmaker, Ivy, has brought along her young assistant, Theo, who is eager to impress his boss by getting Emaline to show him the lay of the land in Colby.

After she finds out that Luke cheated on her, Emaline turns to Theo and experiences the summer romance she always wanted. Except, her summer romance doesn't turn out to be what she thought it would be, she realizes Theo is selfish and has been using her for his own agenda. Emaline also learns that her father and his wife are getting a divorce, which is why he couldn't pay for her college tuition. She also tries to help Benji cope with his families divorce.

In the end Emaline realizes what is really important to her: family. She no longer longs for a life outside of Colby. She doesn't end up with either guy, although she remains good friends with Luke. The novel ends with Emaline interning for Ivy in New York City. Morris is helping Clyde with an art tour.[1]

Characters

Emaline: a local girl in a small beach town by the name of Colby. She is in her summer between college and high school, with a summer job of working at her family's real estate agency; Colby Realty. At the start of the book she is in a relationship with local golden boy Luke who embodies the town of Colby. She is best friends with Daisy who works at her family's (and the town's only) nail shop; Wave Nails. Emaline later meets a film student from New York, an aspiring documentarist , named Theo who is this new stranger who introduced her to all the wonders outside of Colby. Emaline is faced with many life decisions of whether to face her fears and venture out into the world of uncertainty or stay with the familiarity.

Luke: cleans pools in order to make money. Loves to walk around shirtless. Is an all around nice guy.

Theo: hipster from NYC. He's an intern for Ivy, trying to make a name in the art world.

Morris: a local boy from Colby as well who has grown up with Emaline, Daisy and Luke. He is the lazy one is the group, really laid back and if he is given instructions, they need to be very detailed instructions. His personality is hinted at because he has not father in his life and his mother is all but interested in his life. Emaline has been putting her neck out there or Morris since the third grade no matter how frustrating he maybe. Rob, Emalines stepdad, even gives Morris a job and doesn't fire him because he feels the same way Emaline does about Morris. Morris is also the boyfriend of Daisy.

Daisy: fashion forward Asian friend. Dating Morris.

Benji: Emaline's half brother. 10 years old. Loves Luke.Struggling to come to terms with his parent's divorce.

Ivy: famous documentary maker. Goes to Colby to film a documentary on Clyde. Appears mean but is very nice in the end.

Clyde: owns the bike shop and the laundromat. Used to be a very famous artist but left NYC to return to Colby.

Major Themes

Like in most Sarah Dessen novels, a big theme is identity. Emaline is trying to figure out who she is and what world she belongs to. She has become confused with the ideals of a new wonderful life outside of Colby, to be different and try new things; yet still feels the pull of home. She has grown up in Colby all her life and has had life long friends who will always be there. But she also has this pull to leave Colby and see what else is out there. In this you Theo representing outside of Colby and Luke representing Colby. In the end she learns she does not need to pick one or the other but that she can have both, she can see the world yet always have a place to return to.

The theme of family is very important in the novel. Emaline's biological father is always been a mythical creature in a sense while her step-dad has been there all her life. The words father and dad in the novel mean two different thing; a dad means family and love, while father is just a title. Rob, Emaline's stepdad, is not related to her but throughout the novel references to similar qualities they share, while she and her father only share the common interest in school. She treats her step sisters Margo and Amber more like family than her half brother Benji. She equates familiarity and warmth with the idea of family.

Ambition and values is also another theme. Clyde, when he was younger, became obsessed with fame. He was a rising artist who gained fame quickly but also realized it didn't make him happy. He quickly returned to Colby where he could focus on what was important. Theo was very ambitious and used whoever he needed in order to get ahead, even if that means using the ones you love. Emaline studies hard to get into Ivy Leagues and see the world, but also works hard to help support her family and community. In the end she figures out that college isn't whats really important in life.

Allusions to Other Books

Clyde is a semi important character in the book Along for the Ride. He owns the bike shop and the laundromat mentioned in the novel.[2]

Auden is the main character in Along for the Ride. She and her stepmother Heidi were at Clementine's (Heidi's shop) where Daisy works. Before they got there they also ran into Maggie from the same book (Along for the Ride) - the one Daisy tried to give the flyer to.[2]

Spinnerbait from This Lullaby is playing a gig while Emaline is on a date with Theo.[3]

Wes and Burt from The Truth About Forever are mentioned as cousins with Luke.[4]

"Gerts" bracelets from What Happened to Goodbye are worn by several characters.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Dessen, Sarah (2013). The Moon and More. Melbourne, Victoria: Penguin. ISBN 0141348291.
  2. 1 2 Dessen, Sarah (2011). Along for the ride : a novel. New York: Speak. ISBN 0142415561.
  3. ↑ Dessen, Sarah (2002). This lullaby. New York: Speak. ISBN 0142501557.
  4. ↑ Dessen, Sarah (2004). The truth about forever. New York: Speak. ISBN 0142406252.
  5. ↑ Dessen, Sarah (2011). What happened to goodbye (1. ed.). New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670012947.
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