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Flygirl by Sherri L Smith (view source)
Revision as of 16:50, 29 August 2020
, 16:50, 29 August 2020no edit summary
''Flygirl'' is essentially a story about a woman's fight to live the life she wishes to lead in the face of the harsh prejudice of pre-Civil Rights America. Sherri L. Smith is not afraid to write about the everyday fears faced by black people during this time, describing the hopeless lives of Ida Mae's family and friend Jolene, and the fates delivered to those caught trying to ''pass''. Even to a reader who has heard and seen enough of the racial prejudice that existed back then, these scenes are still shocking and extremely effective in making you sympathetic to Ida Mae's cause.
I really loved Ida Mae as a character. She was gutsy, hardworking, fiercely protective of her family, determined and not afraid to take any measures to follow her own dream and save her brother. You can't help rooting for her as she struggles to conceal her heritage, and her passion for flying almost becomes your own. Her two friends, Patsy and Lily are equally as fascinating and likablelikeable. Smith gives them their own stories and, where other authors would just make them stereotypical white women to compare Ida Mae to, Smith breathes life and humour into them.
Sherri L. Smith writes with incredible detail that really brings to life the panicked and isolated atmosphere of America during the war. The feeling of detachment towards a war being fought so far away is beautifully described through Smith's description of dusty Alabama and the dull views of the Black district in New Orleans. Though some of the technical aeroplane vocabulary is confusing and occasionally seemed irrelevant, it does add realism to a subject that most readers will know nothing about.
The one thing that marred ''Flygirl'' was the ending. I found it dissatisfying after reading such a punchy and affecting novel, and felt cheated in some way when issues were left unresolved. It felt rushed and preachy, something that really affected my overall opinion of the book.
However, this gripping and emotional read grabs you by the heart and won't let go until the final page. Though there is no astounding climax to speak of, I felt that this wasn't important. ''Flygirl'', more than anything, is about the characters and their own personal challenges, and I highly recommend to anyone and everyone.