Where the Moon Isn’t

Nathan Filer has given the narrator of this novel a voice that is reminiscent of several other strong psychologically inflicted protagonists throughout modern literature. Where the Moon Isn’t is Matthew Homes’ story about the night that he lost his older brother Simon and how the truth behind what happened has affected him. Matthew re-tells the story as a patient of a psych ward jumping between past and present, and some sections of narrative are told to us in the form of a story he is typing using the computer at the mental center, creating a sort of meta effect.

Where the Moon Isn’t is well written and creative in the way it handles heavier topics such as the unfortunate loss of a beloved family member. I also appreciated Matthew’s self-awareness regarding his mental affliction, which we later learn is schizophrenia. There were some funny moments in the novel thanks to the quirks of the narrator and I liked that Matthew was able to keep a dry sense of humor. Everything that Filer mentions in this novel serves a purpose because of the importance it holds to Matthew, and the result is an endearing novel with a loveable narrator.