Once Upon a Gypsy Moon Review

    Once Upon a Gypsy Moon By Michael Hurley

About the book:

Michael Hurley watched his world unravel in the wake of infidelity, divorce and failure. In August 2009, he was short of money, out of a job, and seeking to salvage a life that had foundered. Deeply in need of perspective, he took to the open seas in a 32-foot sailboat, Gypsy Moon. The story of his 2-year outward odyssey, deterred by rough weather and mechanical troubles, combines keen observation, poignant thoughts, and deeper introspection with glorious prose.

Once Upon a Gypsy Moon also presents a rare and much-needed point of view on the familiar spiritual-journey narrative. It offers a star-crossed love story wrapped inside a rollicking good sea tale, but it also has something important to say to the reader about relationships, faith and disbelief, life and death, love and marriage, and what really matters.

 

 My Review:

 

I received an ARC of Once Upon a Gypsy Moon for the purposes of this review.

I tried so hard to read and get through this book.  I thought it was just me until I realized I could not keep ready anymore.  I saw other book reviewers write the same things I was thinking about the author's writing.  Hurley's writing is superb, but difficult for me to understand.  His writing is too formal for the average reader, like myself.  His continuous references to sailing and the equipment needed to get Gypsy Moon in working order went over my head. 

I admire the author for being so honest in his book, however, I really had to push myself to read this book knowing I didn’t understand that he kept jumping around his story timeline and when he jumped, it was often unclear when or why.  He kept referring to starting his journey on the Gypsy Moon, however, I thought he had already started his journey a few chapters back.  I am assuming he had to make a lot of stops in between to assure Gypsy Moon was ready for the journey? 

I could relate to the author as a human being for being so honest about himself, his marriage and his life. He admits to his mistakes and takes full responsibility for his actions. He seeks to find a new beginning in life. People make mistakes, however the mistake does not make the person. I think this is a great read, however, I felt way undereducated trying to read and understand it. The synopsis is easier to understand than the book itself.