Flight: A Novel by Sherman Alexie
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Book Reviews of Flight: A Novel
Book Review: FLIGHT: Book Review
Summary: 4 Stars
FLIGHT, by Sherman Alexie was a violent, yet always humorous book. In this action-packed adventure-fiction novel, the main character, Zits, passes through the body of several people involved with Native Americans during the Native American genocide era.
In the beginning of FLIGHT, Zits meets a 17-year-old boy named Justice, who teaches him to enjoy killing. Later, Zits visits a bank in downtown Seattle, where he shoots several people with a paint-ball-gun and a pistol. Zits is then transferred to the body of a white FBI agent in the 1970's. Next he becomes a Native American boy during the battle at Little Bighorn. Afterwards, Zits inhabits the body of a Native American tracker in the 19th century. Finally, he becomes a pilot of a small plane in the 21st century...
As I said before, FLIGHT is a very funny book; however, some of the humor may not be appropriate for children 12 and under. It has a great ending (which I'm not going to spoil). One annoying thing is that when Zits transfers to a new body, there are a lot of boring details that follow. Another bothersome thing is the main character's nickname throughout the course of the story.
FLIGHT left me satisfied. It was a great summer read. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a fun book to enjoy.
Book Review: "We're all the same people. And we are all falling."
Summary: 4 Stars
"Call me Zits. Everybody calls me Zits...My real name isn't important." From the first few lines of Sherman Alexie's Flight, the reader is aware that this young adolescent struggles from a lack of self-worth. This adolescent boy of mixed blood (American and Indian)presents a bit of his past to the reader within the first chapter of the novel. Having lived with 20 foster families by age 15, he forces the reader to feel pity for him, regardless of his negative behavior. I found myself granting clemency for his actions due to his past experiences.
This boy is lonely, disappointed,scared, angry, unsure and longs to be loved. It is not until he takes "flight" on this journey that his life changes.
Zits represents and speaks to every adolescent who struggles with stereotypes, self identity, cultural identity, family and love for self. Where the novel is bit graphic and the language a bit vulgar, it is still a novel I would teach in a secondary classroom. The way Catcher in the Rye related to students years ago, Flight relates to students of today.
Flight embodies so many themes, that every English teacher desires to touch upon. A must read for everyone!
Book Review: A Review of Alexie's Flight
Summary: 4 Stars
Sherman Alexie does an excellent job of incorporating different aspects of Native American history into Flight. By placing the main character, "Zits", into various roles throughout the chapters, Alexie is able to show several different perspectives related to each scene. His use of imagery allows the reader to really 'feel' the events as they are taking place.
There are certainly many ways to incorporate this book into the high school English classroom. Co-curricular assignments can also be created with the Social Studies/American History department. The recreation of the battles would undoubtedly add a bit of flair to the monotonous textbook depictions. This would also be a good bridge for connecting the history of colonization and the Americanization of Indians.
Profanity runs rampant throughout the novel, be sure to introduce this book to mature audiences. However, the language is gripping and will get students quickly engaged in the reading. Even if you choose not to teach this text in a formal setting, it may be a selection teachers could add to their bookshelves for free choice reading material.
Book Review: Flight: An entertaining novel that has a big appeal to teens.
Summary: 4 Stars
The story of flight tracks a 15 year-old known only as Zits. He is an American Indian living in Seattle with a foster family. His real mother is dead and his father abandoned his mother. Zits' first appearance in the novel is one that will not be forgotten. He curses at his foster father and is sent to jail. Eventually he is let out by a kid named Justice, who tries to fill Zits' head with ideas of a violent revolution.
Then Zits starts traveling back and forth through time in different peoples' bodies. For example, he wakes up in the body of an Indian boy at the Battle of Little Bighorn and witnesses what occurred there. In all of these events there are moral issues and Zits must choose what is right in each situation. The dialogues feel like they were said by a teenager and are very exciting. Overall, the story is entertaining and raises some provoking questions about society.
Words of caution: the is some severe language as well as some descriptions of intense images so it should not be read by anyone of an age lower than 13.
Book Review: More poignant anger
Summary: 4 Stars
My first exposure to Alexie's work was 'Smoke Signals,' which I loved. I then read 'Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian' which is an amazing piece of young adult fiction (though reading Alexie's bio blurb, its alot of fact too). I am not as in love with 'Flight' as I was with the other two, however it is still a well written piece of fiction and is thought provoking. Two things that I now expect from Alexie. Our narrator, Zits, is angry with the world. When he makes a new friend, who goes by the name of Justice he doesn't shy away from the violent ideas that he embodies. Zits ends up body hopping through key moments in American history allowing him to gain the perspective and insight he needs to move past his personal anger and pain.
It is definitely for an audience older than 'Absolutely True Diary..' but it would appeal to someone looking for something similiar, the humor is darker but the subject matter is very simiilar. I liked it overall and would reccomend it, I will probably go and grab another one of his books today.