Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Pilot's Wife


The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve has been out for quite a few years, but I just read it this summer. My soon to be mother-in-law let me borrow it after she and my father-in-law both read it and couldn't put it down. (so this books appeals to both females AND males!) Even thinking about it now, months later, I can still remember the suspense and driving sense of curiosity I felt throughout the whole book.

Kathryn is the wife of pilot Jack Lyons. After being married for 16 years, their relationship has had its ups and downs, but has been manifested in the form of their fifteen year old daughter, Mattie. When Jack is tragically killed in a flight that he was manning, and the black box reports that it was the fault of the pilot, Kathryn starts down a path from which there is no turning. She begins to uncover the truth behind her husband's death and more importantly, his entire adult life.

Shreve's writing is quick and deep, never leaving you wanting for descriptions or plot. As a reader, I often delve too deeply into books and find myself intertwined with the fictional characters. This makes the pain felt by the characters something tangible, and the situations something to struggle with mentally. I couldn't help wondering what I would have done in Kathryn's situation. Would I have handled the news with such grace? Would I have been able to move on from such deception?

Not unlike Jodi Picoult's works, this book will stay with you from start to finish and afterwards. Enjoy!

No comments: