The Girl Who Swallowed the Moon

by Melanie Gideon

First published 1994

Arian arrives at her great-aunt's cabin beside the St. George River in Maine expecting an ordinary summer retreat. Instead, she finds herself in conversation with the House itself, which speaks to her in ways she never imagined possible. The River reveals its true nature as something far more profound than flowing water. It carries the accumulated tears of women across four generations, each drop holding memories of joy and sorrow. When Arian encounters the full moon hanging over the water, she makes an impulsive decision that changes everything. She swallows a piece of moonlight, not understanding the consequences of her choice. This single act connects her to the stories of mothers and daughters stretching back through time, weaving together ancient tales of Demeter, Persephone, and Hecate with her own family's history. Arian must navigate this new reality where the boundaries between myth and memory dissolve, where the pain and wisdom of previous generations flow through her like the River itself.

Genres: mythology, fantasy, magical-realism, family-drama

Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking

Tropes: found-family, magical-realism

Setting: Maine, St. George River

Period: Contemporary

191 pages · Paperback · Astarte Shell Pr

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