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Moonface: A True Romance

3.38 of 5 stars 3.38 · rating details · 127 ratings · 40 reviews

The moving and hilarious true story of a young woman who found romance and laughter in the midst of illness

At the age of eighteen, Angela Balcita had reached a point in her life when her health could not keep up with her optimistic personality. After suffering kidney failure and after her body's rejection of the kidney her brother donated to her, she was in desperate need...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by Harper Perennial (first published January 14th 2011)

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Feb 27, 2011 Tara Chevrestt rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-release, non-fiction, memoir

This is a memoir written by a woman who has a kidney disease. I won't get into all the medical jargon that none of us can spell or pronounce, but just try to sum it up real quick.

Angela's kidney began failing her when she was in College. It would no longer clean her blood. Her brother stepped in and gave her his kidney. Ten years later, she rejects the kidney and has to go on dialysis. By this point, she is with Charlie.

Charlie is a really likable guy. He remains positive when Angela gets down...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Kelsey Whing rated it 3 of 5 stars

“You know, Charlie, I don’t know why the heart is classically defined as the symbol of love. No way! I say the kidneys! You’re born with two: one to keep and one to share. You can’t literally give someone your heart.”

This is just one interesting point in Angela Balcita’s Moonface that made me think a little after reading it. This book was a rather interesting read. It deals with the serious issue of kidney failure and the difficulties surrounding kidney transplants. Balcita writes this as a memo...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I know it’s been said again and again, but reviewing memoirs is such a difficult thing to do; the contents of these books are the authors’ actual lives, so to critique them in any way just seems wrong. Anyway, it’s been a few days since I finished this one and I’ve had time to let it simmer in my mind. While I didn’t at all dislike the book while I was reading it, I do feel that it took time to mull it over for a while to really appreciate it. This is probably because I had all these outrageous...more I know it’s been said again and again, but reviewing memoirs is such a difficult thing to do; the contents of these books are the authors’ actual lives, so to critique them in any way just seems wrong. Anyway, it’s been a few days since I finished this one and I’ve had time to let it simmer in my mind. While I didn’t at all dislike the book while I was reading it, I do feel that it took time to mull it over for a while to really appreciate it. This is probably because I had all these outrageous expectations for it that it fell short of, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that it is definitely well written and is a great story to tell.

Moonface is the author, Angela Balcita’s, story about parts of her life during which she struggled with kidney failure. The subtitle of the book is, A True Romance, because it tells the story of her boyfriend, Charlie, donating her one of his kidneys to her, rescuing her from her illness and being on dialysis.

This really was an enjoyable memoir, but, unfortunately for me, it was tempered by not being quite what I thought it would. I went into this memoir with certain expectations: of it being hilarious; of it being wholly a story about a new boyfriend donating his kidney, of the preparations, and all the love that must have emanated from a coupledom so fierce that even without making traditional commitments (such as marriage) her boyfriend committed to undergoing surgery and giving away a kidney. While Moonface (named after Charlie’s nickname for Angela) does touch on these elements, the delivery of it was more lukewarm than I expected. It didn’t come off as a story about him giving her a kidney but, rather, had that as one element of the story of her illness and of their lifeline as a couple. The different glimpses into their story weren’t always in chronological order -- overall the story did move chronologically, but in each time frame the stories seemed a little scattered. The eccentrically titled chapters were funny but also a little distracting for me; I found I had to return to the chapter title at the end of each chapter to figure out how it fit or what it meant. And this book wasn’t quite as hilarious as I expected either. There were definitely parts that made me smile and parts that made me tear up, but I wouldn't necessarily consider this a comedic memoir (other readers disagree with this though). Moonface also wasn’t a mushy-gushy love story, but this actually made it more authentic. Angela and Charlie are a cute and great couple, but they're also real people dealing with real life. There were times when I could feel the insecurities Angela felt when questioning if her boyfriend regretted his decision and her so badly wanting her body to not reject Charlie’s kidney, because if it did, would that be a sign?

Overall, this was a short, tepid, yet enjoyable, memoir about a young woman diagnosed with kidney disease and how her life works around this. Despite the critiques in the preceding paragraph, I did enjoy this read. Whether Angela's dealing with another transplant, trying to maintain a good relationship with her boyfriend, or excelling in school/work, she continues to live her life with this disease, and that was, for me, the interesting part of this memoir, with the “love story” being just one of the many elements contained within.

Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com (less)

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May 05, 2011 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars

I remember reading the "Modern Love" column that inspired this terrific book and thinking, "Wow- that is true love!" When I heard that the column was expanded into a book, I had to read it.

I have a very good friend who has also undergone the same transplant. She has had kidney problems for over 20 years, and I didn't truly understand everything that she had gone through until I read Angela's book.

It's hard to believe that people like Charlie exist: a boyfriend who is willing to give up a kidney...more I remember reading the "Modern Love" column that inspired this terrific book and thinking, "Wow- that is true love!" When I heard that the column was expanded into a book, I had to read it.

I have a very good friend who has also undergone the same transplant. She has had kidney problems for over 20 years, and I didn't truly understand everything that she had gone through until I read Angela's book.

It's hard to believe that people like Charlie exist: a boyfriend who is willing to give up a kidney for his girlfriend. But what is more surprising is the number of other people that Angela knew who were also willing to donate a kidney.

Donating a kidney is not like giving your friend your car; it's a major surgical procedure and there can be serious complications. It renews your faith in humanity, and certainly says something about what a good person Angela is to have so many people willing to sacrifice for her.

At the heart of the book is Charlie and Angela's love story. Charlie's family was understandably wary of this because Charlie was willing to give Angela a kidney, but they did not want to get married. I loved the scene where Charlie tells his family that he is giving Angela a kidney, they reacted like any family would.

Charlie's recovery from the surgery is difficult, and at a followup doctor visit, the doctor asks him if he would do it again. Charlie says no, he wouldn't, and this devastates Angela.

Angela decides that she would like to have a baby, and although many doctors tried to discourage her, she finally found one who believed she could do it. Again, Charlie supports her, although he worries about her.

Moonface is such an honest book, filled with love and joy, humor and pain. Charlie is almost too good to be true, but he is also human. Angela perseveres, not letting her lifelong illness stop her from going after things she wants. They are kooky, sharing a similar goofy sense of humor that gets them through difficult times.

I also loved her parents, and can't imagine how hard it was for them to live through this, especially her dad, a doctor who couldn't fix his baby girl.

Balcita writes a crisp book, filled with emotion and I found her quirky chapter titles like "The Celebrated and Adored Royal Filipino Mind Reader" and
"The Woman Who Swallows Fire and Exhales Angels" amusing.

It's a beautifully moving true love story that will touch your heart and make you laugh. It would make a wonderful anniversary gift for a young couple.
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Feb 13, 2011 June Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Moonface is the very touching autobiographical account of Angela Balcita's determination to live life to the fullest despite the difficulties she encountered with the failure of her kidneys. In her freshman year in college, she has to return home because of the failure of her kidneys to function. You live with her turmoil of the disruption kidney disease causes her loving family. She receives her first donor kidney from her brother. It is a successful surgery enabling her to return to school whe...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Chocolate & Croissants rated it 4 of 5 stars

Moonface is a memoir and romance rolled into one. It is about the most selfless gift a person could give another, their kidney.

During her first year in college, Author Balcita becomes ill. As the child of a physician her parents summon her home where she enters the world of medical tests and kidney transplant and dialyses. This book is not for the faint of heart. This poor women has had more than one kidney tranplant. Her first kidney was donated by her brother. She then received a second kidne...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Jess Michaelangelo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir, non-fiction

First and foremost thanks to Erica at Harper Perennial for sending me a copy of this for review!

I'm not a big fan of memoirs or non-fiction, for that matter, but I flew through the pages of this little book. I couldn't put it down! When I first read the synopsis of this one, I was rather intrigued mostly due to the fact that my own mother has had a pancreas transplant that failed, so I was curious to read about Angela Balcita's own experience. Not only that, but it seemed like the makings of a...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Gmr rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Gmr by: Harper Perennial

Angela is a girl who knows what she wants in life; her dreams and aspirations echoing so many others round the world. Gain an education, find love, and make lasting friendships. There is one however that sets her a bit apart from the crowd. One wish that she would rather not have on her list of wants and desires; one hope that if given the chance, she’d gladly erase from her "things I want in life" tally with a smile upon her face. That deep seeded wish…for her recently transplanted kidney to re...more Angela is a girl who knows what she wants in life; her dreams and aspirations echoing so many others round the world. Gain an education, find love, and make lasting friendships. There is one however that sets her a bit apart from the crowd. One wish that she would rather not have on her list of wants and desires; one hope that if given the chance, she’d gladly erase from her "things I want in life" tally with a smile upon her face. That deep seeded wish…for her recently transplanted kidney to remain healthy and strong. Unfortunately, the things we want most don’t always come true…and yet even in those darker times all hope is not lost. In fact, sometimes the best things in life are discovered at the most inopportune moments and in the discoverer’s eyes their value increases ten fold for it.

The touching story of one woman’s life, love, and search to find herself….with a transplant or two along the way. The unique part about this particular memoir is that while the topical issue being dealt with is kidney failure, in all its not-so-glorious and heart-wrenching moments, the heart of the book lies in the sharing of how life came to be where it is now and where it seems to be headed. It’s about more than a disease; it’s about a life lived to its fullest with a disease tagging along.

Ms. Balcita had a hard journey with multiple medical interventions along the way to stave off the end her health was bringing her to. At times crushing in its intensity, her delivery still remains light with a comedic touch much like the “routines” her and her husband put on from time to time when delivering their story to a crowd. Why the theatrics? Well, laughter IS the best medicine after all. Why not leave people with a smile? You would think that would be hard to do with all she endures, but it’s pulled off with great success making this a story to remember.

Recommended read for older teens through adult readers. This story, while not a fairytale come true, is in fact about seeing the wonder of life unfold despite the circumstances thrown your way. Happy reading...(less)

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Feb 08, 2011 Leeswammes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Moonface is the autobiographical story of a young woman who suffers from kidney disease. Amazingly, her boyfriend offers up one of his kidneys
so that she doesn’t have to suffer dialysis three times a week and so she has the chance to live a reasonably normal life.

The book describes the onset of the disease, how Angela meets Charlie, her boyfriend, and how he stays with her through all her
difficult moments and supports her in every way he can.

I loved reading this bitter sweet story about two yo...more

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Feb 12, 2011 Laura de Leon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy, memoir, non-fiction, blogged

Probably 4.5 stars, but I'm willing to round up.

By far, the thing that sticks with me from Moonface is the author's voice. She has a way of writing that is funny without being comic, that makes her feel like someone that would be really interesting to know, and that I was getting to know her through her book. She was funny and very human.

And yes, she was an interesting character, beyond being an interesting person. She faced real challenges (She had kidney disease that caused her kidneys to fai...more

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Mar 28, 2011 Rachel Jessen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this today during spring break while the kids had friends to play with -- it felt like vacation, alrighty!
The thing I kept thinking about as I read this medical story was HOW did they pay for all her medical bills? Were the parents/inlaws wealthy? Did they go on Medicaid? They seemed to have very good health insurance, or at least the author really didn't describe worrying about how her treatments were covered. In America, financing a major chronic illness has got to be expensive. I know...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Natalie Pezzenti rated it 3 of 5 stars

When it comes to hope, Angela Balcita has more than most. First needing a kidney transplant as a teenager, and then again ten years after that, she was nothing less than brave. Receiving her first transplant from her brother and her second from her boyfriend (later turned husband), this story made me realize how there truly are good people out there in this big bad world, even today; willing to give of an organ so someone near and dear to them can have life extended says so much about their char...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Patricia rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 23, 2011 Meghan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir

I didn't get through this medical memoir, because it gave the impression of consisting in large part of visits to doctors and hospitals and hard-to-read descriptions of being in pain from kidney disease. But the true story behind it is interesting: receiving a donated kidney from your husband.

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Feb 10, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Actually 4.5/5

From my book review blog Rundpinne..."Moonface is a beautiful story of love, illness, and family."....My full review may be read here.

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Aug 04, 2011 Jenn Stein rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book reads very easily, but it's very hard to critique a memoir. I honestly feel like this story would be most interesting to those that personally know Angela and her husband. That being said, it really is a beautiful love story.

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Apr 20, 2011 Kelli rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a quick read. It's a story of the author's struggle with kidney disease and her boyfriend's decision to donate a kidney to her. The book follows their relationship from beginning to present. Very well written, charming and funny.

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Feb 10, 2011 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought this was just a fresh read! Its super cute and kept me stuck in it til i finished a few short hours later! I did not want put it down. Shes a brave person with so many loving people surrounding her! THIS IS TRULY A ROMANCE!!!

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Mar 26, 2011 Joan rated it 1 of 5 stars

Sophomoric. It's ironic that a good writer can take a simple story and make it great, and this woman has an advanced degree in nonfiction writing and took her own intriguing story and made it so boring.

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Feb 19, 2011 Gertrude rated it 1 of 5 stars

Didn't think there was anything moving or hilarious about this woman or her story. Have
to agree with her husband when he said, "you got exactly what you want.". I wanted to slap her.

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Mar 13, 2012 Sabrina Selk rated it 2 of 5 stars

Not a bad read, but I didn't find it hilarious. Not even mildly amusing, although I was told over and over again how funny the people in the story really are. Apparently that didn't translate in the written form.

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Feb 12, 2012 Anne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Another true story - very interesting subject matter (girl gets kidney transplant from her boyfriend) but I'm not really getting to know or understand the characters. I'll stick with it - because I'm curious and stubborn.

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Sep 04, 2011 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book after reading a review about in in a magazine. A great story of what love and a fighting attitude can do for someone! She's one hell of a fighter!

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Apr 14, 2011 Michelle Vasquez rated it 5 of 5 stars

Read my full review for this book here:

http://lifeinreviewblog.wordpress.com...

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Aug 22, 2012 Whitney Fouser rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very inspiring and surprisingly funny memoir.

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May 10, 2011 Faye added it

This book was truly amazing.

Check out my review - www.blogabooketc.wordpress.com - will be posted 11th May 2011

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Jan 28, 2012 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

A sweet although slightly odd story.

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Feb 10, 2011 Amber marked it as to-read

Shelves: not-at-library

not at my library

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Jan 26, 2011 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, memoir, tlc-book-tours

Review coming soon!!

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Jan 20, 2011 Kari marked it as to-read

I just found out this is an advanced copy and it's not be released to the public to Feb 1, 2011.....so I am going to try and get this book read before it's release date so I can submit a review for everyone :)

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About Angela Balcita

Angela Balcita received her MFA in nonfiction writing from the University of Iowa. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Iowa Review, and Utne Reader, among other publications. She lives in Baltimore with her husband and daughter."

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