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A novel of flying relationships (LGW- MAD; MAD – DSS; DSS – GRU and more..)

31st July 2019

Turbulence by David Szalay, a novel of flying relationships set around the world.

David Szalay has written a number of books, often choosing a strong setting. All That Man Is was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016.

A novel of flying relationships

This short novel of just over 145 pages is made up of short stories, a format with which the author is familiar. In this book there are 12, but they are conjoined and read like a novel. Each story opens with the airport codes – the starting point and destination – which anticipate the flight that is central to that particular chapter. The opening story is LGW – MAD, for example (Gatwick to Madrid). As each story progresses a character will appear who takes the story baton into the next story, as it were. This lends cohesion to the book. Yes, it is much like a relay race, which ends up coming round in a full circle as the last story concludes.

This is a narrative of lives intertwined, a multi faceted portrayal of the human condition, of societal norms and irregularities and of course reflects the eponymous turbulence of the title both in the air and in lives of the characters. Affairs, liaisons and the impact of sickness all feature to make this a very readable book. It is a journey of many levels. There are one or two cliffhangers along the way.

The connectivity of the stories brought to mind the notion that we are never more than 5 people removed from anyone in the world. How wonderful to know that that would include people like David Attenborough and the Dalai Lama – yet I am sure, however, that we can all think of people with whom it would be less joyous to have a bond!

David Szalay (pronounced, I believe, David “Solloy”) has a wonderful writing style, it’s not complex but it is incisive. He sprinkles his narrative with wry observations which perfectly hit the spot.

The book was very much like the entrée at dinner, satisfying and yet leaving me wanting more. Is that a good thing? I will leave you to decide. I however personally enjoyed the concept, writing and storytelling.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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