THE MOON IN THE CLOUD

by Rosemary Harris ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 17, 1970

A teasing, knockabout version of the building of Noah's ark that has surprising vitality--and a Carnegie Medal. Noah's predicament is introduced quickly (his wife believes it's indigestion, not a godly visitation) but Reuben, a musician and animal trainer, is at the head of this crew: trying to secure a place on the ark, he contracts with Ham, Noah's double-dealing son, to supply the lion pair. Accompanied by a fretful dog, a moody camel, and a cat with social aspirations (all three talk). Reuben spends most of his time in Egypt as prisoner/favorite of the Pharaoh, always looking for a way out and back to his family, inevitably learning the system. He meets Tahlevi the tomb robber who's ready to go straight, circumvents ""a crafty old waterpig of a Vizier."" comes to know the insecurities of power and the ambiguities of honor without power, ultimately bargains for his freedom and returns with the contracted lions. One objectionable manipulation: to get around a final Ham/Reuben impasse, Ham dies and Noah suggests that Reuben take his name--a fact unknown to history and somewhat unsatisfying after such resourceful operations. The rapidfire interplay of Biblical, Egyptian, and traditional elements with a quiet wit (e.g. a parenthetical seraph shrugs four of his six wings) is quite arresting: neither reverent nor irreverent, this reflects a wonderfully idiosyncratic creative energy. For the word- and worldly-wise, a prediluvian groove.

Pub Date: Feb. 17, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION