The Moon and the Face is, in many ways, about social sensitivity. Riverworld, Domecity, and Niade's moon all appear at first glance to be distinct and independent worlds. Indeed, inherent in the depiction of these different worlds is a debate about the development of technological societies. Domecity, despite its advancements, is surely not infallible, and the simple life of Riverworld is one that could be envied by the very busy Domecity inhabitants.

Despite such wistfulness, Domecity's lifestyle is not ultimately rejected here.

McKillip celebrates the differences of these worlds, but she also shows how people of different places and cultures must often depend upon one another to survive. She explores common biases against anyone who is seen as different. For example, when Kyreol first sees the alien on Niade's moon, she is afraid of it because of its size and because it is different from anything...