Maybe the Moon

Maybe the Moon follows Cadence Roth, a 31-year-old actress with dwarfism trying to make it in Hollywood after her breakthrough role as a creature in a blockbuster film. The story is told through her diary entries as she navigates the entertainment industry, relationships, and life in Los Angeles during the early 1990s. The novel draws from real experiences, partially based on Tamara De Treaux, who performed as E.T. in Spielberg's film but received no public recognition. Through Cady's experiences, the book examines the gap between public perception and behind-the-scenes reality in the film industry. The narrative explores themes of identity, visibility, and the human desire for genuine connection in a world focused on surface appearances. It presents a candid look at how society treats those who don't fit conventional standards, while maintaining a sharp sense of humor throughout.

Readers describe the book as a bittersweet Hollywood story with moments of both humor and sadness. The character of Cadence Roth resonates with many fans, who connect with her struggles as an outsider in the entertainment industry. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of Hollywood's treatment of different bodies - Sharp, witty dialogue - Complex friendships between characters - The diary format that reveals Cadence's inner thoughts Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in the middle sections - Some side characters feel underdeveloped - The ending left some readers unsatisfied Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (120+ ratings) Multiple readers noted the book works better as a character study than a plot-driven novel. One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The strength lies in Cadence's voice - raw, funny, and real." Several Amazon reviewers mentioned they expected more Hollywood satire but found a more personal story instead.

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🌟 The character of Cadence Roth was inspired by Tamara De Treaux, who played E.T. in Spielberg's film but was never publicly credited for the role. 🌟 Armistead Maupin wrote this novel as a departure from his famous "Tales of the City" series, marking his first standalone novel set outside of San Francisco. 🌟 The book's format of diary entries was influenced by real journals kept by actresses in Hollywood, documenting their daily struggles with typecasting and discrimination. 🌟 Though published in 1992, the novel was one of the first mainstream books to address height discrimination in the entertainment industry. 🌟 While writing the book, Maupin consulted with several actors with dwarfism to ensure authentic representation of their experiences in Hollywood.