The Last Flight by Julie Clark: A Book Review (and a Little of My Story)
My friend described it as un-put-downable and she was not wrong. Had I not been engrossed in fixing all the broken things associated with my recent website redesign, I would’ve read it in one day, not two. It’s a fast-paced, suspenseful tale of two women whose very different lives become entangled.
Told in both past and present day and from dual points of view—Eva is a woman looking for a way out of her current illegal and dangerous way of life in California. Her numb and disconnected way of living is an existence she knows is coming to a close, but her exit-plan is derailed by both a kindly neighbor and a federal agent.
In contrast, Claire is living a life of privilege in the public eye that comes at the cost of an abusive husband. While he’s gearing up to run for public office in New York, she’s planning a daring escape from her marital prison.
They trade plane tickets in an airport restroom right before their flights are about to take off and after they’ve already been through the drama of clearing TSA. From there, the twists and turns are better than a roller coaster.
Julie Clark kept me on the edge of my seat with this book and the bittersweet ending stayed with me long after I turned the last page. And, there were quite a few thought-provoking quotes.
“If we don’t tell our own stories, we’ll never take control of the narrative.”
Given I’m literally sharing my life every week through a blog and a Saturday newsletter (they have different content by the way), this line resonated with me in so many ways. I once had a therapist tell me that I had difficulty being vulnerable. Well, if she comes across The Edible Bookmark—a name I came up with in her waiting room—she’ll see I’m clearly working through that stumbling block.
“I’m ready to step beyond the fear. Ready to take my life back. Mine.”
While my circumstances weren’t and aren’t nearly as dire as what Claire and Eva were living, I can relate to the quote. Fear in the corporate arena is exhausting and demotivating. Personally, I was trying to make myself smaller so I could play by the rules and keep my job. That worked out well, wouldn’t you say?
And in relaunching this blog, I was scared no one would want to read anything I wrote because I hadn’t exercised the muscle for so long. In my previous job, I’d spend days in one meeting after another. I envied those who could point to something and say they had a direct impact or hand in bringing it to life. But I needed health insurance, an income, stability. Is job stability even a thing anymore? The workplace is very different than when I entered it over thirty years ago.
“We have one thing in common… Each of us is desperate enough to take the risk. It isn’t what has just been done to each of us…it’s a system that tells women we are unreliable, and then expendable.”
A primary driving force behind The Edible Bookmark is that I think Gen X is largely ignored, particularly women. But…
“If you pay attention, solutions always appear. But you have to be brave enough to see them.”
This quote reminds me of something my mother would’ve said. She was so incredibly wise, one of her many wonderful traits.
So, I keep writing, exploring, creating. And like the women in The Last Flight, heading toward something different than what I had. Thankfully, just not nearly as dramatic.
If this one makes it onto your nightstand, I’d love to know what you think when you finish reading it. And if you’re looking for more books to add to your ‘tbr’ check out my summer reading list.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you purchase through those links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.
