Flight: A Novel by Sherman Alexie
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Book Reviews of Flight: A Novel
Book Review: Intense Story with a Few False Notes
Summary: 4 Stars
Sherman Alexie has really found a strong voice with his young adult fiction. (Not that he doesn't have other great voices.) Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian was terrific. Flight is a little more challenging.
The seriously wounded, orphaned 15 year-old hero Zits (you don't learn his real name until the last page) travels through time and in and out of people's bodies. I often didn't know what was real, what was imagined, and what was supernatural. It got a bit confusing as Zits learns lesson after historical lesson. But it all paid off in a very moving way.
My one criticism is a story line about a Moslem terrorist. This guy does something unbelievable and pointless (even by terrorist standards), for no discernible reason. I didn't like Alexie's playing into these stereotypes and pumping up the bogus "war on terror". Other than that, I found this an original and meaningful book. It only takes a few hours for an adult to read and should be highly readable for any teen.
Book Review: Another winner by Alexie
Summary: 4 Stars
I love Sherman Alexie. He is an accomplished writer, poet, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, director, and editor. I love his poetry. I love his unique style. He can make you laugh and cry at the same time. This quirky book is a fast entertaining and interesting read. The young man in the story is about to commit an extreme act of violence when he finds himself yanked into time and into the body of an FBI agent during the civil rights era. He continues to travel through time inhabiting several different bodies. When he finally comes back to his own body he has learned a lot along the way, and so have we--vicariously, through him. He is transformed by what he's seen and we are transformed in the reading of this book. This is Sherman's shamanistic magic and he puts it to good effect in this book.Book Review: Flight in the Classroom
Summary: 4 Stars
Flight by Sherman Alexie is a story about a troubled young man named "Zits". "Zits" is a fifteen year old orphan who is part Indian. He is constantly getting himself into all sorts of trouble and bounces from foster home to foster home until he takes a magical journey which teaches him about himself, his quest for identity and his need for love.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for those looking to read a fiction novel. As a future English teacher, I would consider teaching this book to my students because of its many themes. Also, it is the type of story that would draw students in and possibly even relate to. I would not recommend teachings this novel until tenured because there are some sections which have graphic content and language.
Book Review: Yes, I bought it for the cover and it was well worth it
Summary: 4 Stars
Ya know, it was one of those things. I've collected non-fiction Native American books for for close to two decades. They remain largely ignored. I spied Flight on the shelf for $13.00!, not knowing if Sherman was a woman or a man, Indian, European or what he or she was about to teach me. The concept was brilliant, the humor made me laugh out loud and I came out of it humbled and grateful. Very short, sweet and to the point; this novella taught me something about what it might be like to be fatherless, a Northwest Native American shunned and stunned by what the America of the Starbucks's generation has become. Alexie has a great sense of humour and I suppose, if he didn't he might be one dead or bitter alcoholic.Book Review: Simply Gripping!
Summary: 4 Stars
Oh, what a surprise this novel was! Assigned by my book club, I previously had no idea about this author or the novel. I am so glad that has changed. I simply could not put it down, and read it at one go.
Very intelligently written, even though end is fairy-tale like (but I can understand why this was done).
Strongly recommend it.