Hang the Moon

Jeannette Walls

Historical Fiction

A riveting new novel about an indomitable young woman in Virginia during Prohibition.

Most folk thought Sallie Kincaid was a nobody who’d amount to nothing. Sallie had other plans.

Sallie Kincaid is the daughter of the biggest man in a small town, the charismatic Duke Kincaid. Born at the turn of the 20th century into a life of comfort and privilege, Sallie remembers little about her mother who died in a violent argument with the Duke. By the time she is just eight years old, the Duke has remarried and had a son, Eddie. While Sallie is her father’s daughter, sharp-witted and resourceful, Eddie is his mother’s son, timid and cerebral. When Sallie tries to teach young Eddie to be more like their father, her daredevil coaching leads to an accident, and Sallie is cast out.

Nine years later, she returns, determined to reclaim her place in the family. That’s a lot more complicated than Sallie expected, and she enters a world of conflict and lawlessness. Sallie confronts the secrets and scandals that hide in the shadows of the Big House, navigates the factions in the family and town, and finally comes into her own as a bold, sometimes reckless bootlegger.

You will fall in love with Sallie Kincaid, a feisty and fearless, terrified and damaged young woman who refuses to be corralled.

-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.

Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.

My Opinion

3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5) Sally Kincaid lives in a warped patriarchal world at the time of prohibition. Due to a family tragedy, she is sent away to live with her aunt. Nine years later, she returns to put her claim on the Kincaid legacy.

Sally is an admirable character. At 18 or so, she is unwilling to let men rule her life, as is generally the rule. She refuses mediocrity and for others to make her decisions. This sets her on a wild ride where most women wouldn’t dare go and the danger that goes with it.

The time of prohibition is a great period for this to be set. I loved that Sally faced her challenges head-on. Many tragedies happened, many relatives died or left and through it all, Sally kept strong. Even when men who killed their wives were getting a “slap on the hand” because they said, “it had to be done.”

“There are two kinds of family, those you’re born into and those you put together from pieces that don’t go anywhere else.”

She fought for her place in her world and helped others. As much as I liked Sally’s tenacity, I struggled to keep my attention while reading. It was a slow pace with very thoughtful events. I believe those who love historical fiction and a strong female lead will love this one.

General content summary: minimal language, alcohol (multiple), a boy is knocked unconscious while playing, influenza death, funeral and open casket, knife fight and death, previous maternal death (physical abuse and gunshot). maternal death (illness), grief, physical abuse (multiple, injuries), a woman previously would sell herself for sex to make money, bullying, drowning death (few details), a woman is almost sent to a facility for the “feeble minded” and sterilized, suicide (few details), birth (some details), spousal death in car accident, man leaves wife because he is gay, child abandonment, physical violence (fists, injuries, to men and women), violence death (hanging), gun fight and deaths, spousal abandonment, cancer and death (some details), infidelity (multiple), stillborn (no details), m/f kiss, references to intimacy (multiple), a woman undresses completely in front of another woman, near drowning (some details), cigarettes, gun threat, multiple pregnancies, gun death (no details), house fire (people escaping, injuries). 

Thank you to Scribner Books for the copy!

**As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

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