Flight

This book reminds me of Alexander Lloyd's Time Cat—although it has been a long time since I read the book, so someone correct me if I'm completely wrong.

The book tells the tale of 15 year old Zits, a Native American who is in foster care and has a difficult life. He doesn't feel loved or taken care of and is frequently in trouble with the law. He meets another teenager who gives him guns and tells him to go shoot up a bank. While Zits goes to do so, he has a magical moment wherein he “jumps” into the bodies of other people in other places throughout time. Through these experiences, he learns empathy, kindness, patience, and to see the world through other's eyes. He wonders if we aren't all, “at war” within ourselves about something and finds a changed attitude on his life, situation, and the people around him.

The book does a great job emphasizing the major point that author Sherman Alexie wants to hit. Self-love, acceptance, generational trauma, and empathy for others are all highlighted. I started this book hesitantly, however as it moved, I enjoyed it more. I think it teaches many important points, however, there are some parts that I didn't enjoy or thought may have come off differently than the author intended—or perhaps Alexie did intend these things. Women are one dimensional and regarded as sexual things, and while yes, the character is a 15 year old male, the question remains, is that the author attempting to tell the story through a 15 year old's point of view or is it Alexie's point of view on women? Additionally, I know many native American's have dealt with alcoholism and substance abuse. I know this book was written many years ago, but I wonder if that has changed. If “life on the rez as an Indian” has changed or if it is still a massive problem like Alexie insinuates. I don't want to read things and fall into stereotype.

That being said, the book was entertaining. Zits was a fun, humorous narrator and the magical realism in the story gave the messages power. I wish I could jump into others' bodies and experience life for a little bit as they experience it.