Flight by Sherman Alexie

From the National Book Award–winning author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the tale of a troubled boy’s trip through history. Half Native American and half Irish, fifteen-year-old “Zits” has spent much of his short life alternately abused and ignored as an orphan and ward of the foster care system. Ever since his mother died, he’s felt alienated from everyone, but, thanks to the alcoholic father whom he’s never met, especially disconnected from other Indians. After he runs away from his latest foster home, he makes a new friend. Handsome, charismatic, and eloquent, Justice soon persuades Zits to unleash his pain and anger on the uncaring world. But picking up a gun leads Zits on an unexpected time-traveling journey through several violent moments in American history, experiencing life as an FBI agent during the civil rights movement, a mute Indian boy during the Battle of Little Bighorn, a nineteenth-century Indian tracker, and a modern-day airplane pilot. When Zits finally returns to his own body, “he begins to understand what it means to be the hero, the villain and the victim. . . . Mr. Alexie succeeds yet again with his ability to pierce to the heart of matters, leaving this reader with tears in her eyes” (The New York Times Book Review). Sherman Alexie’s acclaimed novels have turned a spotlight on the unique experiences of modern-day Native Americans, and here, the New York Times–bestselling author of The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian takes a bold new turn, combining magical realism with his singular humor and insight. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Sherman Alexie including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

This book reminds me of Alexander Lloyd's Time Cat—although it has been a long time since I read the book, so someone correct me if I'm completely wrong.

The book tells the tale of 15 year old Zits, a Native American who is in foster care and has a difficult life. He doesn't feel loved or taken care of and is frequently in trouble with the law. He meets another teenager who gives him guns and tells him to go shoot up a bank. While Zits goes to do so, he has a magical moment wherein he “jumps” into the bodies of other people in other places throughout time. Through these experiences, he learns empathy, kindness, patience, and to see the world through other's eyes. He wonders if we aren't all, “at war” within ourselves about something and finds a changed attitude on his life, situation, and the people around him.

The book does a great job emphasizing the major point that author Sherman Alexie wants to hit. Self-love, acceptance, generational trauma, and empathy for others are all highlighted. I started this book hesitantly, however as it moved, I enjoyed it more. I think it teaches many important points, however, there are some parts that I didn't enjoy or thought may have come off differently than the author intended—or perhaps Alexie did intend these things. Women are one dimensional and regarded as sexual things, and while yes, the character is a 15 year old male, the question remains, is that the author attempting to tell the story through a 15 year old's point of view or is it Alexie's point of view on women? Additionally, I know many native American's have dealt with alcoholism and substance abuse. I know this book was written many years ago, but I wonder if that has changed. If “life on the rez as an Indian” has changed or if it is still a massive problem like Alexie insinuates. I don't want to read things and fall into stereotype.

That being said, the book was entertaining. Zits was a fun, humorous narrator and the magical realism in the story gave the messages power. I wish I could jump into others' bodies and experience life for a little bit as they experience it.

When I first got my Kindle, about 8 years ago, Sherman Alexie was quoted in an interview as saying the sight of a woman with a Kindle on a plane made him want to hit her. So, he has always irritated me a bit because of it – who objects to someone reading their work because of format? – but upon reading [b:The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 693208 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327908992s/693208.jpg 829330] I had to admit he's talented. Flight has done nothing to dispel my opinion of his talent. His characters are real smart mouths – that's the g-rated version – so I also see how the brain that creates them could also come up with some real gems in interview. But if Flight taught me anything, it's to let some grudges go. Of note though is that I read one of his books on my Kindle, and one was an audiobook. Okay, let ... it ... go. I listened to the audiobook version of Flight, and cannot say enough good things about the narrator, Adam Beach. I actually can't separate in this case the book from the narrator who so wonderfully brought Zits to life and ably shows his evolution and healing as he lives stories of betrayal and genocide. Flight is a short novel, but packs a lot of power. If you can do the audiobook version, I highly recommend you do.

this book was pretty disappointing, actually. i really enjoy sherman alexie's writing for its humor and subtlety and humanity. this book put in a half-day's work on humor and called in sick on subtlety. realllly hits you over the head with the theme of OPRESSION. but still–i enjoyed the protagonist and there is some great historical exploration in here. it was a good read, just not as good as, say, [book:The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven].