Maybe the Moon: A Novel

By Armistead Maupin

Maybe the Moon, Armistead Maupin's first novel since ending his bestselling Tales of the City series, is the audaciously original chronicle of Cadence Roth -- Hollywood actress, singer, iconoclast and former Guiness Book record holder as the world's shortest woman.

All of 31 inches tall, Cady is a true survivor in a town where -- as she says -- "you can die of encouragement." Her early starring role as a lovable elf in an immensely popular American film proved a major disappointment, since moviegoers never saw the face behind the stifling rubber suit she was required to wear. Now, after a decade of hollow promises from the Industry, she is reduced to performing at birthday parties and bat mitzvahs as she waits for the miracle that will finally make her a star.

In a series of mordantly funny journal entries, Maupin tracks his spunky heroine across the saffron-hazed wasteland of Los Angeles -- from her all-too-infrequent meetings with agents and studio moguls to her regular harrowing encounters with small children, large dogs and human ignorance. Then one day a lanky piano player saunters into Cady's life, unleashing heady new emotions, and she finds herself going for broke, shooting the moon with a scheme so harebrained and daring that it just might succeed. Her accomplice in the venture is her best friend, Jeff, a gay waiter who sees Cady's struggle for visibility as a natural extension of his own war against the Hollywood Closet.

As clear-eyed as it is charming, Maybe the Moon is a modern parable about the mythology of the movies and the toll it exacts from it participants on both sides of the screen. It is a work that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit from a perspective rarely found in literature.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061844270

Armistead Maupin

Armistead Maupin is the author of the Tales of the City series, which includes Tales of the City, More Tales of the City, Further Tales of the City, Babycakes, Significant Others, Sure of You, Michael Tolliver Lives, Mary Ann in Autumn, and The Days of Anna Madrigal. His other books include the memoir Logical Family and the novels Maybe the Moon and The Night Listener. Maupin was the 2012 recipient of the Lambda Literary Foundation’s Pioneer Award. He lives in London with his husband, Christopher Turner.

Reviews for Maybe the Moon

[chrisweir-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of a little person who's an actress. She had her biggest hit a while ago inside of an elf suit for a big named producer. This follows her trials and tribulations as an out of work actress. She lives with a roommate who is not the brightest bulb in the box but has a heart of gold. After her agent dumps her she starts doing children's parties with a group of other people. Slowly she finds herself getting involved with the leader of the troupe. Caddy, the actress, is a very strong willed person and you never really feel sorry for her, even with the hardships faced by a little person in the life of much larger people. Like most of Maupin's work it's very easy to read and like reading about old friends, there all very personable even when bitchy.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Cadie Roth, a 31-inch tall dwarf who's an actress and singer, but unrecognized and uncredited for her greatest role "Mr Woods" (think ET). Her struggles ( and triumphs) to lead a normal life - to be happy,m in love, sad, pissed, in control, dependent - are tastefully (and sometimes hilariously) treated by Maupin. The plot is weak, but I like his writing.

[edwinbcn · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Coming to this book after reading "Tales of the City", I was expecting an entertaining, possible endearing read. However, I was very disappointed. "Maybe the Moon" has not inspired nor captivated a sliver of my attention.Apparently, this novel is a "roman a clef"; but the true identity is so well hidden, and the character behind the personage is so obscure that this never becomes clear. In the mean time, the reader keeps wondering why we are reading a book about "a female heterosexual Jewish dwarf".Why on earth? Opening up to lesbian readership? Trying to imitate John Irving (not nearly as entertaining).It all seems to be very well-written, but I have no idea what the book is about.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Never would have picked this up on my own, having no need of stories about Hollywood, and no fond memories of the one other by Maupin I did read (so long ago I'm not sure which).

But I'm glad I did read it. It was easy and fun, and enlightening, to read, until the heavy and slightly implausible ending, which brought the fantasy of thinking that we could have some sort of HEA back to reality.

[csweder · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the reasons I love Goodreads is the ability to know how long it took me to read a certain book.

This book was three days.

It was great. It chronicles the life of Cady Roth, a 31-inch woman, actor and singer. It seemed very real to me and very hard-hitting.

And I read it in 3 days because it was a page turner.

It's worthy of reading.

[needmoreshelves · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first novel I've read by Maupin, and wooah, do I get it. I get why people fall in love with his work. There were so many reasons why this novel should not have worked - I mean, it's characters are just about every stereotype you can think of, and it's "issues" practically smack you in the face. But somehow it transcends all those pieces that shouldn't work, and transforms into this somewhat magical, definitely emotional, and wholly unforgettable reading experience. I haven't read Maupin before, but I certainly will again.

[astrologerjenny · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Maupin's books are always chatty & fun, like letters from friends. His characters are a lot like the people you know. This is even true of the lead character in this book, who is both dwarf and diva. She's witty, cynical, and has a unique take on the world, and when the book ends, you miss her.

[susandennis-139327 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this in a used bookshop and thought "WOW! An Armistead Maupin I haven't read!!" I'm a serious fan of the whole Tales of the Cities series. So I was delighted. Turned out, though, I had read it! But, it was still a wonderful story about Cadence Roth, a dwarf (not a midget, thank you very much) who lives in the big world of hurt and joy and paying bills. She's delightful and so is this book.