Book review: When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi.

I received this title as an ARC via NetGalley.

Strongly recommended. [4 stars].

This is another delightful standalone novel from John Scalzi.

Initially, this book does exactly what it says on the tin: the moon turns to cheese. The rest of the novel is about humanity’s numerous responses to dealing with the fact that the moon turned to cheese. Structurally, this is a kaleidescope novel–there isn’t one protagonist, there are several dozen characters who are all having different responses to the experience, from the highest levels of government to the outcasts table in the junior-high cafeteria. Human frailty in all its messy glory is on display.

The human reactions are spot-on in their glorious variations, especially when the laws of physics begin to take their toll on an enormous mass made of cheese existing in space, and the end of the world is predicted. In the context of certain death by (hot) cheese, Scalzi sketches dozens of fallible, understandable, and engaging characters across the novel, piecing together a modern-day world that feels nuanced and real-esque. The science is (as the author admits in the acknowledgements) made up in some places, and the science is not the point.

Scalzi takes an incredibly silly concept, and creates a world that feels sincere and honest and real with it. Fans of his work will still find the snappy dialogue, tight pacing, humorous (and often profane) moments, and heart they are expecting and hoping for. The occasional moments of philosphical clarity about what it truly means to be human are a decided bonus.

You’ll never look at the moon the same way again.