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The Memory of Flight
by Debra Bowling
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Pub Date
Dec 01 2014
| Archive Date
May 16 2015
Description
Debra Bowling’s debut novel, The Memory of Flight, takes an unflinching look at a family trapped by isolation, abuse, and mental illness in the rural Alabama of the early 1960s. Through it all, we witness the story’s heroine, Ginny, grow from a curious but frightened child to a woman whose long journey leads her to a place in her life where she can finally begin to heal the wounds of her past.
Ginny’s mother, Marilyn, is possessed of a quiet, mysterious beauty that belies the turmoil in her mind. When her alcoholic husband becomes increasingly violent, she attempts suicide. Six months later, she moves with her children to her parents’ farm to escape her marriage and to quiet the voices growing louder inside her head. Her makeshift house becomes both retreat and prison when hostile feelings begin to erupt from past family conflicts and her husband’s recurring visits.
At six years old, Ginny, is close to her father and puzzled by her mother’s cold, harsh behavior. She seeks comfort in her grandmother’s company and the discovery of her father’s old Brownie camera. As Marilyn’s mental health deteriorates, Ginny becomes increasingly obsessed with photography and the solace it provides her in a world that seems determined to isolate and ostracize her.
Over time, Ginny’s interest in photography becomes an obsession. She is driven to capture images of strangers, particularly in moments of raw emotion—a practice that ultimately leads her to uncover the details of a murder as Marilyn faces a new crisis that throws both of their lives into chaos.
The Memory of Flight is about finding a way forward with a broken spirit while learning to unearth and face great loss and pain. It is about remembering earlier flights, healing the wounds of the past, and learning how to soar once more.
Debra Bowling’s debut novel, The Memory of Flight, takes an unflinching look at a family trapped by isolation, abuse, and mental illness in the rural Alabama of the early 1960s. Through it all, we...
Description
Debra Bowling’s debut novel, The Memory of Flight, takes an unflinching look at a family trapped by isolation, abuse, and mental illness in the rural Alabama of the early 1960s. Through it all, we witness the story’s heroine, Ginny, grow from a curious but frightened child to a woman whose long journey leads her to a place in her life where she can finally begin to heal the wounds of her past.
Ginny’s mother, Marilyn, is possessed of a quiet, mysterious beauty that belies the turmoil in her mind. When her alcoholic husband becomes increasingly violent, she attempts suicide. Six months later, she moves with her children to her parents’ farm to escape her marriage and to quiet the voices growing louder inside her head. Her makeshift house becomes both retreat and prison when hostile feelings begin to erupt from past family conflicts and her husband’s recurring visits.
At six years old, Ginny, is close to her father and puzzled by her mother’s cold, harsh behavior. She seeks comfort in her grandmother’s company and the discovery of her father’s old Brownie camera. As Marilyn’s mental health deteriorates, Ginny becomes increasingly obsessed with photography and the solace it provides her in a world that seems determined to isolate and ostracize her.
Over time, Ginny’s interest in photography becomes an obsession. She is driven to capture images of strangers, particularly in moments of raw emotion—a practice that ultimately leads her to uncover the details of a murder as Marilyn faces a new crisis that throws both of their lives into chaos.
The Memory of Flight is about finding a way forward with a broken spirit while learning to unearth and face great loss and pain. It is about remembering earlier flights, healing the wounds of the past, and learning how to soar once more.
A Note From the Publisher
Available in Paperback Trade, ePUB, and Kindle editions.
Available in Paperback Trade, ePUB, and Kindle editions.
Advance Praise
No Advance Praise Available
No Advance Praise Available
Marketing Plan
No Marketing Info Available
No Marketing Info Available
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9780990779001 |
| PRICE |
$16.95 (USD)
|
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9780990779001 |
| PRICE |
$16.95 (USD)
|
Average rating from 19 members
Featured Reviews
judy b, Reviewer
Brought tears and laughter.
Rosemary S, Librarian
Please see blog http://cayocosta72.wordpress.com
Kathleen D, Reviewer
Don't let the sweet cover fool you, there are heavy issues contained within' this novel. Ginny grows up in the 1960's of rural Alabama trapped in the confines of her mother's mental illness. After witnessing her father's brutal attack on her mother and Marilyn's consequent suicide attempt, they will move to live with her grandparents in a makeshift home isolated from others. Her beautiful mother Marilyn's mind becomes overcrowded by the voices in her head and all normalcy and stability is lost. Though confused by the love she still has for her father, he too lends to the chaos stumbling in and out of their lives. Ginny finds escape, and the key to her future, behind the lens of an old Brownie camera. With it, she captures photographs that tell emotional stories of love and loss. At times she hides behind the safety of the camera, unaccustomed to the myriad of emotions she witnesses. Trouble will find her due to her all-consuming passion when she photographs evidence prior to a child's murder. This doesn't turn into a crime novel in the sense reader's are used to. It remains a painful journey digging through the secrets inside of one family. Ginny experiences sexual abuse early in the story that is hard to take in, though it is brief and the reader sees the cracks that appear in our heroine as a result. The Memory of Flight remains inside the heart of Ginny with insight into Marilyn's suffering as well. Why that is important is light is shed on her mother's daily struggles with a little understood illness, certainly for those times. So rather than a one-sided story, the reader is able to embrace everyone. The grandparents carry a heavy burden as well, in trying to support their ill daughter. Heartbreaking excavation of a child growing up contained within her mother's illness but with the promise of eventually breaking free and finding a life of her own. There are enough characters in the novel to broaden the story, so the reader is not suffocating in one family's woes. The mind-set of the time period is told simply in the interaction between characters, which is always better than someone constantly announcing prejudice or sexist attitudes. Here, it is a part of the atmosphere. Well done story, I ached for Ginny but I also broke a little for Marilyn and the grandparents as well. Such a tender, moving coming of age anyone can enjoy but it is heavy.
Carmen b, Reviewer
Ever read a novel and from the very beginning you feel something sinister is lurking? The author did a great job of showing us what these characters are experiencing or have experienced by their actions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. I adored Ginny and rooted for her. This is a story about a family just trying to get by. Ginny finds herself watching the world through her camera which turned out to be therapeutic. There is so much Ginny holds inside that it was painful and awkward at times to "see" her trying to meet new people and find her place in the world just as her mother is trying to quiet the voices.
I liked this book a lot. The writing is good and held my interest. I think I have read so many heavy books lately that I was aching for some light in all the darkness. But reality isn't always sunshine and rainbows is it?
I'll keep my eye out for more books by Debra Bowling.
Thank you Netgally for the opportunity to read The Memory of Flight in exchange for an honest review.
Reeca E, Reviewer
Ginny is raised in a tough home. An abusive father and a mentally ill mother lead her to take refuge in an old brownie camera. The photographs she takes guide her on a path of healing then takes her down a different road of murder.
The characters and the story kept me reading till the end. There were even places I gasped because of a turn in the story. It was the middle with the most trouble.
This novel started off with a bang. I was hooked. Then, it trailed off. I actually started skim in in the middle. There is a good bit of useless information, but, not a bad read at all!!
I received this novel from Netgalley for an honest review
Featured Reviews
judy b, Reviewer
Brought tears and laughter.
Rosemary S, Librarian
Please see blog http://cayocosta72.wordpress.com
Kathleen D, Reviewer
Don't let the sweet cover fool you, there are heavy issues contained within' this novel. Ginny grows up in the 1960's of rural Alabama trapped in the confines of her mother's mental illness. After witnessing her father's brutal attack on her mother and Marilyn's consequent suicide attempt, they will move to live with her grandparents in a makeshift home isolated from others. Her beautiful mother Marilyn's mind becomes overcrowded by the voices in her head and all normalcy and stability is lost. Though confused by the love she still has for her father, he too lends to the chaos stumbling in and out of their lives. Ginny finds escape, and the key to her future, behind the lens of an old Brownie camera. With it, she captures photographs that tell emotional stories of love and loss. At times she hides behind the safety of the camera, unaccustomed to the myriad of emotions she witnesses. Trouble will find her due to her all-consuming passion when she photographs evidence prior to a child's murder. This doesn't turn into a crime novel in the sense reader's are used to. It remains a painful journey digging through the secrets inside of one family. Ginny experiences sexual abuse early in the story that is hard to take in, though it is brief and the reader sees the cracks that appear in our heroine as a result. The Memory of Flight remains inside the heart of Ginny with insight into Marilyn's suffering as well. Why that is important is light is shed on her mother's daily struggles with a little understood illness, certainly for those times. So rather than a one-sided story, the reader is able to embrace everyone. The grandparents carry a heavy burden as well, in trying to support their ill daughter. Heartbreaking excavation of a child growing up contained within her mother's illness but with the promise of eventually breaking free and finding a life of her own. There are enough characters in the novel to broaden the story, so the reader is not suffocating in one family's woes. The mind-set of the time period is told simply in the interaction between characters, which is always better than someone constantly announcing prejudice or sexist attitudes. Here, it is a part of the atmosphere. Well done story, I ached for Ginny but I also broke a little for Marilyn and the grandparents as well. Such a tender, moving coming of age anyone can enjoy but it is heavy.
Carmen b, Reviewer
Ever read a novel and from the very beginning you feel something sinister is lurking? The author did a great job of showing us what these characters are experiencing or have experienced by their actions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. I adored Ginny and rooted for her. This is a story about a family just trying to get by. Ginny finds herself watching the world through her camera which turned out to be therapeutic. There is so much Ginny holds inside that it was painful and awkward at times to "see" her trying to meet new people and find her place in the world just as her mother is trying to quiet the voices.
I liked this book a lot. The writing is good and held my interest. I think I have read so many heavy books lately that I was aching for some light in all the darkness. But reality isn't always sunshine and rainbows is it?
I'll keep my eye out for more books by Debra Bowling.
Thank you Netgally for the opportunity to read The Memory of Flight in exchange for an honest review.
Reeca E, Reviewer
Ginny is raised in a tough home. An abusive father and a mentally ill mother lead her to take refuge in an old brownie camera. The photographs she takes guide her on a path of healing then takes her down a different road of murder.
The characters and the story kept me reading till the end. There were even places I gasped because of a turn in the story. It was the middle with the most trouble.
This novel started off with a bang. I was hooked. Then, it trailed off. I actually started skim in in the middle. There is a good bit of useless information, but, not a bad read at all!!
I received this novel from Netgalley for an honest review
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