Trudging through the woods after tumbling off his spooked horse, nine year old Greer Donner stumbles on a man beating a woman. After bravely stepping up to let the woman escape, Greer’s sheltered life takes a traumatic turn that bewilders his entire family. On the flip side, is Gillian: product of alcoholic parents and photographer. After discovering a lost photograph in an antique camera she becomes enmeshed in the story of Alexandru Istok, a bowmaker who fled Europe in WWII.
“Nobody is going to hurt us, buddy.” Ben held the kicking wailing boy so tightly he thought he might hurt him.
Measure of the Moon by Lisa Preston is a gripping study in how unconnected lives intersect and traumatic events can alter or mold a person’s life. Preston’s story is interesting enough to not want to put it down, but it was frustrating how long it took the Donner family to realize why Greer’s behavior changed so drastically and, seemingly, immediately. I found the ending to be incongruous to the character of the Donner family as well. Preston does a great job of weaving multiple characters’ stories together to make a whole integrated narrative that is engrossing and full of suspense. Her treatment of photographer Gillian is particularly well-done.
