Flight Behavior

This is a genuinely beautifully written novel - Kingsolver has mastered the art of the evocative sentence, the witty turn of phrase. But more than that, it is her characterization that carries the reader and turns this potentially preachy novel into a page-turner. Here, her focus is on small-town Appalachia, and her characters ones which, in other novels, would be sketched as ignorant Bible-belt hicks. The protagonist even references "Deliverance" to indicate the way these towns have been depicted. Instead of judging these characters, however, we are offered a very convincing window into their worldview, such that at the end of the day, it is the scientists and world-wise media who come across as unsympathetic and prejudiced.But by entering this worldview, Kingsolver runs the risk of coming across as patronizing - and occasionally, especially towards the latter half of the novel, she does fall into the trap of oversimplification. The line between the characters and the reader becomes dangerously blurred, for example in her explanation of the phenomenon of the butterflies to pre-schoolers, to which we, the readers, have to listen to. We are thus presented with the same explanations and thoughts on this strange occurrence (why the butterflies are over-wintering in Appalachia rather than their usual spots in Mexico), and on climate change in general, several times during the novel, at various levels of complexity. It is as if Kingsolver is convinced to bridge the same gap she depicts in the novel, between the scientists and the so-called 'hicks,' amongst her readers, such that anyone picking up this book will leave with at least a basic, pre-school level understanding of climate change. This is admirable, but potentially misguided - generally speaking her target audience is not going to be low-information readers (especially since this book retails at almost $15). Thus the novel becomes increasingly repetitive, especially as all of the major character development happens early on - there are certainly some surprises in the second half, but the character arc of all the main figures is set within the first few chapters.The butterflies themselves become a character in the novel, and you find yourself passionately rooting for their survival. The main event depicted in the novel (the displacement of the butterflies from their usual roosting place in Mexico to southern Appalachia) is fictional, although parts of the story are based on true events (the destruction of a Mexican mountain town through flooding, for example), and all of the examples of "global weirding" are eerily within the realm of possibility. Kingsolver is clearly passionate about the issue of climate change, and this is a powerful novel making a crucial intervention on this subject.You will leave this novel, probably having learnt new facts and theories, but definitely having extended your comfort zone and challenged your own prejudices.

After nearly sixty years now, I had never bought a new, hard-back first edition. But when I heard about Flight Behavior, I decided to make an exception. I placed an advanced order for it over Amazon, and was rewarded when I eagerly opened the package and placed my fingers on its exquisitely, perfectly-designed cover jacket - little embossed leaves of blue surrounding the title and the author's name. Opening the book I discovered a flash of bright orange on the inside of the covers and with it an excitement greater than I've ever felt about reading a book. Perfect preparation for the flame of revelation I was anticipating. Why blue and not brown? I wondered after reading the first chapter. Ah, but the hottest part of the flame is blue.The first chapter read like a Greek tragedy with Biblical underpinnings as only Kingsolver can do. A contemporary novel, yet the heroine reminded me of me in the seventies and I wondered if there were still women like that today. I thrilled at her transformation already occurring in chapter two. Off to a good start . . .And who can resist descriptions such as Dellarobia's son popping out of the school bus like a gumball or her first glimpse of the tall lanky scientist, Olvid, emerging from his little car unfolding like a contractor's measuring stick?The challenge of the novel is that it's didactic, a controversial subject, but well-handled. Rather than making it a message book, Kingsolver presents a complex situation, tossing up pat answers and then blasting them. It reminds me of a G.B. Shaw play -- each character representing a different viewpoint on the environmental stage. Yet all are seen through Dellarobia's eyes and almost all are well-rounded, dynamic characters, especially our heroine. Kingsolver's characters are archetypes but not stereotypes like the progressive (rather than evangelical convervative) minister who is building a mega-church. And though you can tell with whom the author's sympathies lie, she does of fair job of representing all -- with the exception of the media, whom she joyously lampoons.In the end, for me, the novel fell short of five-stars. Too many problems, though most of them minor. A couple of sentences I couldn't even understand. Loose ends that bothered me. After a long and painful scene (and to me out-of-character) of a fight with her husband in the dollar store, she finally purchases a monarch pot holder "for her son," but we never see if she gives it to him or even hangs it in her kitchen. And when Dellarobia discovers the first tag and the junior scientists thrill she's found it, but don't say where they had tagged it, and don't mention it to Olvid when he comes on the scene. At one point Olvid talks about the possible extinction of the Monarchs, but never mentions the California population, nor do the 350.org volunteers from California. Not until near the close of the book do we hear of it.The author builds up sexual tension between Dellarobia and Olvid, yet when we finally see them alone under a tarp in the rain, they simply have a scientific discussion. I wanted at least to see them together for a final scene before he leaves. Instead we get a revelation about the minister which seems contrived and not that important anyway. The Mexican family seems shoehorned into the story - too much of a co-incidence that they migrate there before the butterflies do. Also, Dellarobia's son seems more like an eight-year old than a kindergartener and her daughter seems more like twelve months than eighteen.But when I step back from the flaws, I see a lively, colorful, engaging book. Highlights for me were the scene of revelation from Dellarobia's mother-in-law, the media charmer's interview of Olvid, the knitting ladies from England, the old codger who tries to get Dellarobia to take "the pledge." Well worth the read.

Anything written by Barbara Kingsolver is worth reading. A novel on relationship with humans and nature. Beautifully written.

This novel brings a timely look at the effects of climate change and pollution on the migration patterns of Monarch butterflies. A feisty and engaging heroine, Kingsolver’s usual strong and supple language, and an important examination of America’s heartland in the throes of change.

A very unique form of writing that included all shades and covered all bases. Writing is brilliant and dellarobia is a character that you will find hard to miss, and yet the main leads are the monarchs, the butterflies, whose disastrous future seems to march in the direction of disaster for us as well.Good read

Well worth the read. Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favourite authors. Highly recommend this book. All of her books will not disappoint. Her characters will live long in your memory.

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