When the moon is inexplicably transformed into a giant wheel of cheese, the story unfolds over a lunar cycle through a series of interconnected vignettes, each exploring how people from all walks of life—scientists, billionaires, politicians, and everyday citizens—react to the bizarre event. Blending humor and heart, the novel uses its absurd premise to examine human resilience, societal responses to the inexplicable, and the ways people find meaning and connection in the face of uncertainty.

Reader Review Summary

Set over the course of a single lunar cycle, the novel explores the global and personal ramifications of the moon suddenly and inexplicably turning into a giant wheel of cheese with the same mass as the original moon. The story unfolds through a series of interconnected vignettes, each chapter focusing on a different character or group, ranging from schoolchildren and scientists to billionaires, cheese shop owners, astronauts, politicians, and everyday citizens. The narrative structure is non-linear, with each chapter representing a day in the lunar cycle and offering a new perspective on the unfolding crisis, from the initial discovery of the moon's transformation to the mounting consequences for Earth, culminating in a solar eclipse. The book incorporates elements of science fiction, humor, and social commentary, often using mixed media and referencing contemporary culture, politics, and the scientific community, while intentionally leaving the cause of the moon's transformation unexplained.

Readers appreciated the book's humor, wit, and the breadth of perspectives it offered on the central event. Many highlighted the fast-paced, vignette-style structure, which allowed for a wide range of reactions and scenarios, such as rival cheese shops in Wisconsin, a billionaire's disastrous moon mission, and the impact on religious and political leaders. The dialogue and character interactions, especially among ordinary people like retirees at a diner or friends chatting online, were frequently cited as engaging and authentic. Several reviewers noted that the book balanced absurdity with moments of genuine emotion and reflection, particularly in chapters dealing with existential dread or impending disaster. The inclusion of topical satire, references to real-world figures (such as an Elon Musk-like billionaire), and the exploration of how society, media, and individuals might respond to an inexplicable event were also praised.

Some readers found the large number of characters and constantly shifting points of view made it difficult to connect deeply with any one storyline or individual, with some estimating over 60 named characters. The lack of a traditional, cohesive plot and the absence of a clear explanation for the moon's transformation were points of frustration for those expecting a more conventional science fiction narrative. A few felt the humor, especially the cheese puns, was overused or forced, and that the book's tone sometimes veered into preachiness or sentimentality. The ending was described by some as ambiguous or unsatisfying, with criticism that the story did not fully commit to its apocalyptic implications or provide closure on certain plot threads, including the specific type of cheese the moon had become. Others felt the book would have worked better as a novella due to its repetitive structure and dialogue.

The novel is positioned as part of a conceptual trilogy with the author's previous works, 'Starter Villain' and 'The Kaiju Preservation Society,' sharing a focus on ordinary people facing extraordinary, high-concept situations. The science in the book is intentionally 'loosey-goosey,' as acknowledged by the author in the afterword, with the emphasis placed on societal and personal reactions rather than scientific plausibility. The book has been described as both a comic novel and a light, noncommittal read, with some reviewers drawing comparisons to 'World War Z' in its oral history-style approach. The story includes both lighthearted and darker elements, touching on themes such as mortality, community, and the unpredictability of disaster, and has been released in both print and audiobook formats.