‘Earth to Moon’ by Moon Unit Zappa

My Review (4 stars out of 5)

(Audiobook)

Oldest daughter of musician Frank Zappa and his wife Gail, Moon Zappa tells the story of her life from childhood to adulthood. She delves into her film career, her sudden celebrity status following her inclusion on one of her father’s records, and her often bizarre relationship with her parents.

Narrated by the author, it must be said that this book is a bit of a rant. Moon’s childhood with her parents Frank and Gail, along with her weirdly named siblings, is bizarre in many ways and perhaps deserves to be ranted about, but her narration style—almost shouting in some sections—gets a tad irritating after a while. Much of the book focuses on Moon’s desire to be loved by her father, who seems to have ignored his oldest daughter most of the time. However, it’s her mother, Gail, who comes out of it as the villain of the piece and probably the worst parent in history. Even after Frank’s death, Gail kept secrets from her children, refusing to allow them to see their father’s will (even denying it existed) and more importantly, from knowing his wishes for them. It all comes out in the end, of course, and eventually Moon seems to accept her mother for the person she was. It’s fair to say Moon’s story is told frankly and honestly, though her writing style is a little clunky at times (if I’d read this as a paperback, I’d have likely stopped halfway through).

Interesting and a little disturbing, this is a frank (excuse the pun) and enlightening account of life as part of one of America’s most infamous and dysfunctional families.

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