Flying by Henry Sutton

I picked up this book on a whim, while browsing
at Orchard Library last week.

I'd never heard of it, nor of Sutton, but the
cover attracted (how horribly superficial),
although it was a simple one, of one of the wings
of a plane.

Gave a cursory glance at the back blurb and read
the first few pages which described someone's
nervousness about flying - the vibration in the
seat, the 'seemingly electrically charged
buzzing, hearing the rising whine of the engines,
a sound that suddenly seems to be pouring through
her'.

All so familiar to any passenger I suppose. Then
I read on to learn that she's not just another
passenger but part of the cabin crew. And that's
what hooked me.

I've never harboured any desire to join cabin
crew, I know quite a few people who are or were
air stewardesses and I envy the way they jetset
across the world, one day Manchester, Cairo the
next. But it was quite an interesting read to see
what cabin crew, albeit fictional ones, think of
when they're at work.

That it's interesting to think of how your
colleagues, that is, those working the same
plane, will change every flight you make (besides
the up and down flight that is). So you can't be
too sure who you're going to work with, and if
you can work with them.

One of the crew loves to stare out of the
emergency exit window, another steals the salt
and pepper shakers that are used in First class.
The pilot likely has a prostrate problem and the
first officer reckons he can only make it with
women when in uniform, cos otherwise he looks
fifteen.

And it seems, everyone thinks of sex. I hadnt'
really noticed, but the back blurb starts out
that way: What do people always want? Sex. And
more sex. Cabin crew go after each other, flight
crew wants in too.

I can hardly tell if there is any truth to this
book but it made for an interesting read. While
the blurb and theme of the book makes it sound
like chicklit - ooh airhostesses flirting with
pilots! and more! - it's really more than just
animal instinct. The characters are well-balanced
and quite engrossing. And Sutton's either really
had flying experience or did a lot of research,
for it sounds all pretty damn legit to me.

When it comes to books, I tend to rate them upon
ten, this one would get an 8!

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