logo

55 pages 1 hour read

Penelope Lively

Moon Tiger

Penelope LivelyFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1987

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Penelope Lively

Moon Tiger

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1987
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Egypt • 1940s

Publication Year

1987

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively, the protagonist Claudia Hampton, a dying historian and journalist, reflects on her life, relationships, and significant historical events from her hospital bed. Claudia's recollections, ranging from her complex bond with her brother Gordon to her love affair with a tank commander during WWII, are presented through interconnected memories rather than a chronological sequence. The narrative delves into themes of memory, history, and personal experience, set against the backdrop of 20th-century England and Egypt. The novel includes depictions of incest.

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

20,773 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Penelope Lively's Moon Tiger enchants readers with its unique narrative structure and rich historical context. The novel's lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance draw strong praise. However, some readers find the non-linear timeline confusing. Overall, Moon Tiger stands out for its compelling character development and intricate storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Moon Tiger?

A reader who enjoys Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively is typically drawn to intricate narratives blending history and personal memory. Fans of works like Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway or Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day will appreciate Lively's rich prose and exploration of time, identity, and the impact of past relationships.

4.1

20,773 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Egypt • 1940s

Publication Year

1987

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.