When the Moon Hits Your Eye
 first edition | |
| Author | John Scalzi |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | 2025 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover), ebook, audiobook |
| Pages | 336 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7653-8909-1 |
When the Moon Hits Your Eye is an upcoming science fiction novel written by American author John Scalzi. It is due to be published in hardcover and ebook by Tor Books, and audiobook by Audible Studios, on March 25, 2025.[1]
Plot summary
[edit]The moon transforms into an unstable organic, cheese-like material, along with all previously retrieved lunar samples. The book follows the diverse human reactions to this possibly apocalyptic event on Earth, day by day, through the course of a whole lunar cycle, with each day presented from the viewpoint of a different character.[1][2][3]
Reception
[edit]In a starred pre-publication review, Kirkus Reviews characterizes the event related in the book as a "ridiculous concept imbued with gravity, charm, humor, plausible cynicism, and pathos—and perhaps the merest touch of spite."[2]
Publishers Weekly highlights how the novel's "ridiculous premise—what if the moon actually was made of cheese?—is treated with a straight face in [a] cleverly entertaining sci-fi romp," noting that "Scalzi’s ability to balance scathing satire with heartfelt optimism shines."[3]
Marlene Harris in Library Journal observes that the "story isn't really about the moon; it's all about the reactions to it--what people think and feel and write and especially do when something fundamental to their understanding of the world changes in the blink of an eye, and they just have to cope." She feels the "novel can be read as hopeful. It's occasionally insightful, and ... frequently absolutely hilarious," assessing it as "chock-full of Scalzi's ... trademark humor, and readers who love humorous science fiction in general and this author in particular are going to be rolling on the floor laughing out loud while reading."[4]