Graffiti Moon

By: Cath Crowley

Narrated by: Ben Maclaine, Hamish R. Johnson, Chelsea Bruland

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: Tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere - spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night - and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

©2012 Cath Crowley (P)2012 Listening Library

makes me want to paint or sculpt or draw...

so, apparently, i don't care for an Australian accent. nothing personal, Australia. i probably would have liked the story more if i had read it instead of listened. the way the author describes the art her character sees around her makes me want to paint or sculpt or draw or create anything with my hands.

Review from Esther's Ever After

Graffiti Moon is one of those books that really needs to be aborbed properly; you hear the words, and let them sink in for their full affect until you're completely wrapped up in this dreamlike contemporary story.

There were a number of things I really loved about Graffiti Moon, yet a few areas I found lacking. It's deeply moving at times, humourous at others, yet it still felt to me like it lacked a certain charm.

Reasons to Read:

1. Words that ebb and flow:

I'm so glad I listened to this one on audio, because the prose-like writing in some passages is totally meant to be read aloud. And the writing style really lends to the story's setting, because it gives the whole book this sort of dreamlike quality to it which is perfect for a book that takes place in the middle of the night. And I loved that there was this huge emphasis on art, and different kinds of art, and how it doesn't always have to be traditional.

2.Humour, anticipation, and romance:

First of all, this is definitly my kind of sense of humour. I loved the jokes, and the quirky little bits - like how Lucy punched Ed and broke his nose on their first date after he tried to make a move on her. I loved how they could laugh things off and (eventually) move on. And there's just so much build-up to all the various, mixed-up subplots that the anticipation just keeps building and BUILDING until you're waiting for it to explode. And for them to just make out already.

3.Very much a coming of age tale:

There's a strong theme of growing up and change which is prevelant in Graffiti Moon; and I just loved seeing how these various characters gradually evolved throughout the night and really got to know each other, and themselves, a bit better. And of course, this ultimately leads up to some drastic changes for a couple of characters.
And while I had hoped I would fall in love with this story much like most other readers had, I still felt like something was lacking. It took me a little while to get into the story and connect with the characters, because there felt like a few too many subplots were moving forward for me. I prefer to focus on one or two central, and keep the rest to a minimum. Otherwise it just feels like background noise.

But mostly I felt like there was all of this build up (which I loved)... but with very little by the end. I'd be anxiously listening, waiting to hear what happesn next, holding my breath... only to be caught off guard by rather small conclusions and responses taking place. It was like blowing up a balloon only to watch it slowly fizzle out.

So while I really did like it, especially the poetic writing style and phrases (which are gorgeous and I could read passages from this book without needing any context at all, just little snippets of prose) and I loved the emphasis on art and growing up- I didn't LOVE it. It failed to move me the way I had hoped it would.


Thoughts on the audio:

I'm a big fan of audio books that feature multiple narrators, so having three voices: one for Lucy, one for Ed, and one for Poet worked really well for me. Plus, they all fit the personality of each character SO well & I love listening to accents. No complaints here!

Totally Absorbing

Graffiti Moon pulled me in immediately and simply didn’t let go. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but Cath Crowley’s words painted a thousand pictures and then some.

Beautiful, Romantic Story & Excellent Narration!

Would you consider the audio edition of Graffiti Moon to be better than the print version?

Yes!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ed. I loved his back story and his personality.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Everything! Hearing the accents and different voices made such a difference. All the narrators did an excellent job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! Even though I had a good idea where the story was going, I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. The style of writing is completely addicting and beautiful.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes when I have a book I'm really looking forward to, I find myself procrastinating when it comes to actually reading it. (Mostly because I have such high hopes for it and I fear disappointment.) This was one of those books for me. I fell in love with the premise of Graffiti Moon months ago, and bought it as soon as it became available. I finally just made myself start it, and I'm so glad to say that I absolutely loved it! It left me grinning for a long time after I finished it. It was one of those books that fuels my love for reading even more.It reminded me slightly of An Abundance of Katherines by John Green which I also loved. I just love when you get to see the thought processes of the characters. I like to know why they do and say the things that they say and do. It was a really interesting story too, and the writing style was the kind that I really enjoy reading. So many of the phrases were just beautiful, and the descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was right there with the characters.The narrators were awesome! The main girl and main guy did excellent jobs, which just made the whole experience even better. Quote: "Where's the fire, Lucy Dervish?" "In me. Under my skin." (a thought, not an actually quote, but I loved it)

fans of Melina Marchetta will enjoy

Another great contemporary (and great audiobook!)! I read this one when I was really in the mood for some contemporary and it hit the spot. Lucy is looking for a graffiti artist named Shadow and her and some of her friends (and non-friends) go on a hunt to find him. This was fun, and yet not what I would necessarily call “light-hearted”. Some of her non-friends are in a bit of trouble and Lucy isn’t aware of this at the beginning. The book is broken up into three different points of view – Lucy, Ed, and Poet – and each POV brings something different to the table. Lucy tells us of dreams of art and glassblowing and finally get out into the world now that she’s done with year 12. Ed shows us kind of a sad story – he’s dropped out of school and yet shows incredible promise. Poet has a way with words and is also absolutely hilarious and brings a gritty type of feel to the book.

Once again, another author has got me loving a book set with a 24 hour timeline. When the pacing is just right for these kinds of books, it works wonderfully. All of the scenes – from the party to the school – felt so right. What also felt so right was the best friendship between Lucy and Jazz. The way they spoke to each other was so real and just how best friends act.

A very quick read (I listened to this one in less than a day) and still meaningful. I absolutely adored this book and fans of Melina Marchetta will enjoy it as well!

Great easy listen. If you like Art especially

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I love that it was read by 3 different readers. I would prefer that over a guy imitating a girls voice and sounding like Mrs. Doubtfire. Poets voice is my favorite. It was so smooth. I almost wish his voice was Shadow. There were times I wasnt sure that it sounded like an Aussie accent but its probably just me. Maybe I dont realy know what an Australian accent sounds like outside of Crocodile Dundee. The book was a great easy listen. The descriptions of glass blowing and the descriptions of the graffiti were interesting. I love the characters and their perception of each situation. Good read.

Adolescence, Art, Amazing

I love this book. I rented it from the library 3 times and finally decided I had to own it. This book is so fun and engaging. It is smart and witty. The adolescents in this book are written the way I think they should be, the way I remember myself. A good kid who sometimes makes the wrong decisions, but often making the right ones. These kids aren't just walking bags of hormones. They are thoughtful, caring, fun and flawed. The book is also very funny. The interactions between the two main characters are real and you feel for them. The narrators are great. I love the accents. I'm glad they used Australians so the characters sound like they are from Australia, not just say they are.

I really love this book.

The Narrators were the worst thing I've ever heard

the plot line of the story is good .. I was really excited to listen to this one because I heard so many good things about it .. but the moment I started listening the narrators shocked me with their poor performance that I got lost in the middle of the story without knowing what happened until I read the e-book and ditched the audio book all together, the story is nice just don't waste your time with the audio book

We read to know we are nit alone.- C.S Lewis

I loved the story and characters. They seem like people I would be friends with. ♡