The Flight Attendant plunges headfirst into the complicated wreck of drama and chaos that is the life of Cassie Bowden. After another wild night of binge drinking until blackout, she wakes up expecting to have an awkward, hungover conversation with the man she spent the night with- a passenger from her previous day’s flight. Instead, she wakes up to find the man dead, and she’s not 100% sure she didn’t do it!
I’ve been a fan of Chris Bohjalian for years, and love putting his books into the hands of the patrons at the library where I work (and they love reading them!) I will admit that two of his more recent books, Close Your Eyes Hold Hands, and The Guest Room, weren’t winners for me. I don’t mind saying this since Mr. Bohjalian admitted during his recent visit to Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, NH that he himself doesn’t love everything he’s written. I read his most recent novel prior to The Flight Attendant, The Sleepwalker, with high hopes, and felt like he was back at the top of his game with that one. It was the perfect blend of exciting narrative and sophisticated character development reminiscent of Midwives, Skeletons at the Feast, and The Double Bind. I also feel like The Flight Attendant is another big win! The twists and turns in this book keep the pages flying, and could even have you screaming out loud like I did! (Just wait until the fire alarm gets pulled!)
The Flight Attendant is a satisfying blend of thrilling narrative curves, alternating points of view, and just enough surprise turbulence to keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll get to the end of this book and want to know more! I certainly feel that way.
Speaking of knowing more, have you heard that Kaley Cuoco of Big Bang Theory fame has signed on to star in and executive produce a limited series based on The Flight Attendant? (Think Big Little Lies, a la Reese Witherspoon). I’m super excited for this production to come to life and I hope that Kaley continues the story of Cassie Bowden past what Chris Bohjalian has written in the novel. At Gibson’s, he mentioned that while he won’t be writing any of the episodes, he will be working with the production team as a consultant. http://deadline.com/2017/10/kaley-cuoco-pod-deal-warner-bros-tv-the-flight-attendant-1202196368/
The Flight Attendant also has an introspective, thoughtful side. Can Cassie, with her life seemingly in shambles, turn things around and start again? Is there another. better life waiting for her? You’ll have to read all the way to the end to find out what Cassie discovers about life and about herself. It’s worth the read!