Review: Charming story.....
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 25, 2013
"Peter in Flight" is a charming novella. On the surface the semi-autobiographical story of a modern day traveling salesman wouldn't seem at that interesting.  Peter is written as an exceptionally likable character in the style of the classic English comedy characters. He's a go with the flow and always on kind of guy. Bertie Wooster (P.G. Wodehouse) isn't action packed by he's a nice guy that you want to do well and Peter shares that quality. Early on in the novella, he helps a fellow passenger who is of limited mobility secure his pants after he uses the washroom. He sees the plane as a village where everyone has a responsibility to help. How can you not like a guy like that?Add to the equation a mostly imagined romance with his boss. He admits in the interview that he heard little of what she said as he fanaticised. For a man with no ties, she's safe. His boss has a husband and children and a life he really romanticizes their relationship in a way that was not delusional but made the reader just like him more.The story itself is really about the main character's life on the road and very well written. The story is, as stated above, semi-autobiographical. The novella mentions 9/11 and the impact of the tragedy on industries involving copious air travel. Had "Peter in Flight" been longer, it would not have maintained the light and fun feel. There is a good deal of repetition in the story but then there's a god deal of repetition in the job.  At 134 pages, "Peter in Flight" is a fast read and would have been a perfect vacation read in the car or train.I highly recommend "Peter in Flight" for fans of novels of the human experience.