The Last Pilot

author: Benjamin Johncock
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/07/31
date added: 2015/07/31
shelves:
review:
'The Last Pilot' is the debut novel of Benjamin Johncock. It's historical fiction at it's finest. The writing is lean and the characters compelling.

Jim Harrison is a test pilot in the Mojave Desert along with Chuck Yeager. He spends his days flying and his nights at Pancho's Bar. He and his wife long for a child but are unable to conceive. When Jim's wife Grace finally does become pregnant, their lives are filled with their daughter Florence. Jim's status as an elite pilot puts him on track to be in the Gemini program, but he turns it down to be with his daughter. A tragic event comes between Jim and Grace. Jim finds himself joining the early days of the space program, but what has happened haunts him to the point where he might not be fit to fly.

This is all told against the backdrop of the years leading up to the space program. Real people are woven among the story, but not in a way that feels contrived or gimmicky. You might even think Jim Harrison was a real NASA astronaut, he's so convincingly realized. Grace is also not a stereotypical fictional wife. I loved many of the supporting characters, especially Pancho, the crusty owner of the bar, and a pilot herself.

The writing is concise in the best way. I found myself thinking initially that it would be like 'The Right Stuff' and for fans of the movie, it'll feel like familiar territory, but this is it's own story. I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to what this writer does next.

I received a review copy of this ebook from MacMillan-Picador and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1MYOo7m