I’m struggling to scoop all my thoughts into a tidy pile. I’m so thoroughly impressed by Beatriz Williams’ writing. She deep-dives into her books. You’re expertly transported to the time and place you can find yourself forgetting you’re sitting here in 2020, the Age of Quarantine. Her characters? It’s like you are getting to know them. And, for as lengthy as her books are, they breeze by. You feel like “how am I nearing the end of these 400ish pages?! I haven’t had enough time with this story yet!” She makes a chunky book seem inviting instead of daunting.
So kudos to Ms. Williams.
Now let’s get to “Her Last Flight.” This novel hit the market on June 30, 2020 and I finally was able to tackle it. I wasn’t disappointed. The novel strikes a chord with my fascination with Amelia Earhart though it isn’t her story by any means. It’s about the pilots who pushed aviation forward in the 1930s.
Irene Foster. The name was synonymous with many things, glamour, aviatrix, role model. She’s a female pioneer, piloting (literally) the way for the females who come after her. And then, she’s gone. During an around-the-world race, Irene’s plane goes missing.
In an alternating timeline we meet Janey Everett a photojournalist on a mission. She’s writing THE book on Irene Foster’s teacher, Sam Mallory, a daring and accomplished pilot the world seems to have forgotten. As she tracks down a silver a lead, she hits pay-dirt and finds herself looking up an Irene Lindquist in Hanelei, Hawaii.
But sometimes when people are “lost” it’s intentional. It’s that they don’t want to be found. Irene Foster had been viewed under a magnifying glass of celebrity. The world was fascinated with this woman aviatrix. Her accomplishments, her speeches, her looks. And she’s more than happy to stay hidden.
Janey won’t settle for that though because Irene is the person who knew Sam Mallory best and Janey is determined to hear her account of what happened to him.
As these two story lines unravel, we uncover the whole truth.
What I found to be quite clever about this novel’s set up is that though there are alternating narratives, they’re both really from Janey. First, we hear from Janey herself as she unravels the mystery of Sam Mallory and Irene Foster (now Lindquist).
The two women compliment and contrast each other nicely. Irene seems to be the picture of composure. A woman who isn’t easily rattled and has learned to hide her emotions from her face. A result of years in the spotlight where a picture can capture feelings you aren’t eager to share. After years hiding in plain sight, Irene has hardened, making her harder to figure out. Janey seems to be out to prove something. It’s clear she tries to prove she doesn’t need anyone, particularly a man, to have fulfillment. Oddly these two stubborn women have a grudging respect for each other and you can see a friendship forming.
Williams is careful to explain that this novel isn’t a take on Amelia Earhart. There surely is some inspiration from the flying phenomenon, like her famous hair. But, this is a book that came to fruition after wondering about the pilots of early aviation. The risks they took, the thrills they sought, and the disasters they often met.
Happy Reading!
-Angela
@book.addicts.anonymous (Instagram)
https://www.goodreads.com/aaangelaaa (goodreads)
Librarian Wannabe 