Book Watch: Billy Moon by Douglas Lain

Billy Moon by Douglas Lain is expected to release on August 27, 2013 by Tor Books.

This is Douglas Lain's debut novel and a very interesting one indeed.  It is the re-imagining the life of Christopher Robin Milne, the son of A.A. Milne who is the author of Winnie the Pooh.  If that doesn't peak your interest, I will mention that it is Magical Realist and discusses the political uproar during the civil rights movement of 1968, especially with the Occupy Movement a huge part of present day America.

In Douglas Lain's debut novel set during the turbulent year of 1968, Christopher Robin Milne, the inspiration for his father’s fictional creation, struggles to emerge from a manufactured life, in a story of hope and transcendence.

Billy Moon was Christopher Robin Milne, the son of A. A. Milne, the world-famous author of Winnie the Pooh and other beloved children's classics. Billy's life was no fairy-tale, though. Being the son of a famous author meant being ignored and even mistreated by famous parents; he had to make his own way in the world, define himself, and reconcile his self-image with the image of him known to millions of children. A veteran of World War II, a husband and father, he is jolted out of midlife ennui when a French college student revolutionary asks him to come to the chaos of Paris in revolt. Against a backdrop of the apocalyptic student protests and general strike that forced France to a standstill that spring, Milne's new French friend is a wild card, able to experience alternate realities of the past and present. Through him, Milne's life is illuminated and transformed, as are the world-altering events of that year.

There isn't too much buzz for this book yet.  At present, it only has one review on Goodreads, which is a 5 star review.  However, I think it is because it is his debut novel.  He has published a number of short stories, usually fantasy, and this is much different that most of his work.  Nevertheless, its on my TBR.

-Mariela

Billy Moon by Douglas Lain
Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: August 27th 2013 by Tor Books