Flight: A Novel

The premise is gimmicky for my taste, but it has all the humor and pain you'd expect of an Alexie book. It's a short read full of Alexie's characteristically wonderful language. The themes are on the simple side and perhaps repetitive if you've read other works by the same author, but I can't say it was bad. Sherman Alexie's work has never been that, yet, at least for me.

Though it was clear to me that this story was about foster kids, and their feelings, I did not quite get the connection between all the different characters. I loved it when he finally found a mother type to love and encourage him.

Before I write critically, I want to say that if you've never read a book by Sherman Alexie, don't start with this one. Instead, try "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." I gave that book 4 stars and it is of much better quality than this one.

This book was a bizarre collection of rambling teenage thoughts loosely represented as time travel. Although the profanity was not surprising (given the disposition of the protagonist), the vulgarity was unnecessary. All that notwithstanding, the most succinct description I can give of this book is to compare it to the old TV show "Quantum Leap," except that in QL, Sam's situation always had purpose. In Sherman Alexie's "Flight," the teenage boy finds himself in many different scenarios throughout recent history, but without purpose or meaning. And just as suddenly as he finds himself in a new body / character / life, he is gone again somewhere else to inhabit the body / character / life of another person. This cycle repeats itself several times. None of it seems to be connected, which is just bizarre. It's almost a collection of short stories, except none of them have a conclusion.

In one respect, the author was successful. This book is about a teenager struggling to find acceptance. With that said, the voice / style of this book will make you believe that a teenager wrote it. So in that sense, the book is authentic. As a reader, however, the result is a very low-quality product.

In the end, I almost went up to 2 stars, because the last few pages somewhat salvaged the story, but really, the resolution just moved it up from an F- to an F+. If you just need a quick read to catch up on your reading pace for the year, you can knock this book out in less than a couple of hours. Otherwise, I'd avoid this one. (But again, Alexie's other book is a much better read. Try it instead.)

When I first got my Kindle, about 8 years ago, Sherman Alexie was quoted in an interview as saying the sight of a woman with a Kindle on a plane made him want to hit her.

So, he has always irritated me a bit because of it -- who objects to someone reading their work because of format? -- but upon reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian I had to admit he's talented.

Flight has done nothing to dispel my opinion of his talent. His characters are real smart mouths -- that's the g-rated version -- so I also see how the brain that creates them could also come up with some real gems in interview.

But if Flight taught me anything, it's to let some grudges go. Of note though is that I read one of his books on my Kindle, and one was an audiobook. Okay, let ... it ... go.

I listened to the audiobook version of Flight, borrowed from the library, and cannot say enough good things about the narrator, Adam Beach. I actually can't separate in this case the book from the narrator who so wonderfully brought Zits to life and ably shows his evolution and healing as he lives stories of betrayal and genocide.

Flight is a short novel, but packs a lot of power. If you can do the audiobook version, I highly recommend you do.

Flight is the second book I've read written by Sherman Alexie. I've been a fan of Sherman Alexie's writing since I read his book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian a few years ago for Banned Books Week.

I'm not sure why it took me so long to read another book by Sherman Alexie, but I am glad that I did.

Flight is a fast paced, quick read. Alexie's writing is very engaging. You'll find yourself laughing at the various scenes presented within Flight, pondering the the themes/thoughts that Alexie provides for readers, and have an overall awe of his writing style... Flight is a concise read with a message. Revenge, betrayal, violence, justice, and identity are all themes touched upon in Flight.

I love the main character of Zits, whose real name we later learn at the end of the novel is Michael. Zits has been through a lot and has had a s***ty life... But the last chapter (Chapter 21) of Flight gives us hope that things well eventually work out just fine for Zits... That life may have been a rough one for Zits, but it won't always be that way for him.

Sherman Alexie is full of surprises. I read his book "Indian Killer" and thought it was all right, but it was a story about types instead of people. You never quite believe in the characters and are not really sucked into the story. Then I read "Reservation Blues," and what a change! Real people as characters, and the reader was drawn along in the characters' drama. Now I am done with "Flight," and I found it an emotional, painful read about a young foster kid with no prospects and no hope, who was on his final slide into the toilet. Instead, he somehow leaps backward in time to inhabit the body of a crooked FBI agent. Then he goes farther back in time to inhabit an Indian at Custer's Last Stand. More time travel, to inhabit another white man. Etc, until he inhabits the body of the father who had abandoned him at birth. It is a heart-wrenching, deeply sad novel of a boy, basically, who has serious family issues and is on his last lap. There is no explanation of how or why the time travel happens, but at the end (spoiler alert) he is placed in yet another foster home, and this time there are hints that he might just make it yet. The central character goes on a very believable, very human journey and comes out a better person for it. This is Alexie at his best. This and "Reservation Blues" are the must-read Alexie works. Some of the short stories in his collections are also good. A fine book, a fearful journey, and ultimate redemption for a troubled soul; this book delivers in spades.

I enjoyed Flight about a teenage boy who bounces between multiple foster homes. Much of it is his fault as he misbehaves and runs away frequently. Suddenly he finds himself in the bodies of several different people as a time traveler reliving several historical events.

This novel moved quickly at a length of under 5 hours as an audiobook. There are several well down stories where the young man is a Native American or a member of General Custer's army who fought Native Americans at the Battle of Bighorn. I give it four out of five stars as a good story about a troubled teen and his jumps through time and learns more about his life choices.

Another good and accomplished book by Alexie.

He successfully shows us a way to depict other perspectives when using first person narration. He does this in the dream sequences, or what some refer to as time travel, a more trendy and marketable label.

He also effectively shows us self-loathing, a destructive trait, more often than not attributed to minorities; whether this is a fair characterization, I'm not certain. I'm curious if the expression of self-hate influenced Alexie's choice of time periods and characters Zits experienced, and/or why else he chose some of the them.

A few of the dream episodes were more engaging than others and since I'm not a huge fan of dream sequences or time travel, I was tempted to stop reading when I got to them.

I thought about giving the book a 3 star rating because of the dream sequences, but then decided it was a personal bias that should not diminish this book's ratings, in light of its other qualities: The main character was engaging, the first chapter drew me in, the transitions between dream episodes worked well and the ending was satisfying.

Alexie has been criticized for the way he represents Indians. In this book he once again, as he has done in the past, pushed back against the romantic depiction of Indians and at the role people want to put him in: of speaking for all Indians.

(As an aside - a peeve of mine - Alexie uses certain "four" letter words frequently in Flight. I wish Alexie and other writers would refrain from further normalizing crass four letter words and, instead, influence people to be more creative in there expletives. I wish the coarser expletives would be saved for poignant moments where their impact is earned. Some will accuse me of being a prude and maybe I am when it comes to language, but I still, so often and unexplainably cringe when I see four letter words in print. Some will defend certain expletives as a reflection of reality, which is true, but there are other options writers could promote.)

If Indians are angry about their condition it's understandable. What a history! But anger and hate don't produce good books. And they don't make for a good life either. They screw you up for good. Although you might become famous. Or notorious. I like FLIGHT because it's a picture of the path away from these things, towards a deeper, more philosophical understanding. Not that you have to forget the past. Oh, no. But you need a wider acceptance of crazy human nature to survive. The trajectory from anger---often derived from hate or self-hate---to a calmer vision is traced here in a zany, but ultimately clever way. People are often many things at the same time. Indian youths (so we read in other books) used to leave home, go into the wilderness, starve or otherwise suffer out there, till they got a vision which would guide them in adult life. Alexie has written a time-travelling, shape-shifting, modern vision quest in which an abandoned, self-hating youth starts the process of self-knowledge and wider understanding of the world. It's a brilliant work which will make you laugh, but make you sad and thoughtful at the same time. It's a product of modern America as emblematic as the Taj Mahal for India, or a bullfight for old Spain. It's short, but it packs more punch than most long novels. You won't put it down.

Shallow, is the best way to describe this book. Mr. Alexie brings nothing new to the game in this novel. A young abused protagonist with an attitude problem goes on a mystical time traveling journey of self discovery only to find out what? Killing people is bad, and abuse and violence perpetuate in a never ending cycle. And how does Mr. Alexie suggest we resolve this issue? Don't kill anyone (because it's always bad), and hope at some point you get adopted by a nice family who cares about you. The ending is flat and offers no solution to the social issues the book identifies, but does not delve into. All in all a short read that despite it's brevity is still not worth the time it requires to wade through.

"Flight" greatly stretches the expectations many can have for a story about a Native American teen, or even for a young adult fiction novel. The fictional work follows a young Native American teenager named Zits who travels through time to experience the different, painful lives of others. The book also features a “Black Cat Reading Guide” that prompts a discussion with detailed questions for readers, as well as a list of suggestions for further readings.
The entire novel focuses around Zits finding out who, or what, his actual identity is supposed to be. Orphaned at a very young age and lost in his life, he turns to violence and misconduct in society, even going as far as preparing to shoot up a bank full of people. It is in this moment that time stops, and life, as this boy knows it, would be transformed. In order to fully find his true sense of self, Zits involuntarily begins to travel through time to live different people’s lives in their bodies; one commonality exists between all of the people Zits becomes: they are all experiencing different levels of violence in their lives. The novel transports readers to different time periods throughout the chapters for them to experience different people’s lives as Zits does. It is through each of these individual narratives that Zits eventually realizes the consequences that come with life, as well as the value it can hold. Through all of these different lenses, readers can see a consistent theme of justice and injustice with the dangers that life presents.
Overall, while I would recommend teaching this book because it handles a number of sensitive topics in very strategic and well-developed ways, it also is a very graphic and detailed depiction of some more difficult topics. Specifically, it mainly covers the ideas of kinship, identity, and violence. While the first two are thoroughly developed throughout, the violent aspects of the novel are a little more difficult to take in, but they only help to further Zits' struggles in his life. Overall, while there is a decent amount of explicit material throughout the novel, I do believe the novel would be a smart contribution to a college class’ curriculum, and I would recommend it. It’s many themes deeply further the many common Native tropes in a modern-day, accessible context.

Sherman Alexie begins _Flight_ with a line from Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel, a clue to the plot and (I assume) the theme. As much as I like and admire Alexie, however, he is no Vonnegut. The story revolves around Zits, a fifteen-year old half-Native, half white kid facing all the issues of adolescence in addition to those thrust on him by birth and circumstance: abandoned by his alcoholic father, orphaned by his mother, in and out of foster homes and struggling with his identity. Zits is a very angry, frustrated and lost young man.

Zits, influenced and prompted by a similarly disenchanted young man, is convinced to rob a bank - where the homage to Vonnegut comes into play. Rather than carry out the crime, Zits finds himself traveling through time, inhabiting different people who are similarly angry, frustrated and lost: a pilot who inadvertently trained a terrorist to fly, an eye-witness to Custer's Last Stand, a white scout leading US soldiers to destory a Native village. Eventually Zits finds redemption. What was troubling for me is that his redemption was not so much earned as it was given to him as he lived and experienced things vicariously. Yes, there is catharsis (I intentionally leave out significant plot points and story development in order not to spoil the story), but how meaningful can this be if the protagonist hasn't *done* anything? What is further troubling, as a previous reviewer points out, is that Alexie seems to be showing that if people understood the history of marginalized people, they'd "get over it" and have happy, productive lives. I wish things were that easily resolved.

While I disagree with the theme and while I think Vonnegut used the same plot device with much powerful effect, I didn't *not* like the book; it was a bit stale, as I mentioned earlier, I like Alexie's writing style - hence the 3 stars.

I hesitant to offer an honest review of a Sherman Alexie work. I posted a critical review of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian on the store.com a couple of years ago, and I was excoriated for it, evidental because I am not a "brown person" or that I have no understand of Indians. (Read my review and the follow-up comments there). I'm starting to think that Alexie is one of those authors that you cannot criticize without impunity. However...

Flight has an excellent premise: a lost, lonely half-Indian teenager meets a Jesus-like young man in a youth detention facility, and he begins to time travel through important events in America's Indian history. From both sides of the U.S. Calvary, to an FBI agent in Red River, to his own father, Zits gains a larger perspective of who he is, and what comprises the Native American in modern society.

Alexie creatively inserts some aspect of "flight" in each of the narratives, whether flying through time, airplanes, or running away, Flight uses flight as a symbol to describe Indians, teenagers, orphans, or all three.

Some of the time stops seemed out of place, or simply were dull. Jimmy the pilot was one what did not add to the story (other than to discuss adultery and a departing wife?), and it seemed to take up too much of the story.

Midway into the book, I predicted some cliché parts, such as time-traveling into his own father (as if that was to be a surprise?), the foster home at the end, and even the last line of the book. All too predictable and plain.

I still count myself as a Sherman Alexie fan. Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Reservation Blues, and Ten Little Indians are all wonderful. I love both of Alexie's movies, and I'll even buy his newest book, War Dances. But, Flight and Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian are both common stories that do not stand out as unique, no matter who the author is.

I've recently become a fan of Sherman Alexie's work, but to be honest, I wasn't very interested in the premise of Flight--an outcast teenager who is considering an act of mass violence is suddenly cast back and forth through time. The grim subject matter seemed important, but unappealing, and even though I can get myself in the mood for a Vonnegutesque time-leaping plot, that's not my usual taste. But finally, my desires to experience every word written by Alexie and to acquire a really affordable audio book overcame me, and I gave Flight a go. I'm glad I did.

Flight is about a fifteen-year-old, half-Native American orphan named Zits who suffers from severe acne and who has been shipped his whole life between foster families. Though Zits is smart and funny, he's also an outcast and is overwhelmed by loneliness, purposelessness, self-hatred, self-destructiveness, despondency, and violent and irrational impulses. When he meets a young revolutionary zealot who seems to offer Zits friendship and purpose...and a chance to enact revenge on a society who's abandoned him, he feels compelled to start the zealot's revolution and lash out violently.

Just on the verge of doing so, however, Zits's consciousness is wrenched (without explanation) from time and place and becomes situated in the body of a man, an FBI officer working against Indian activists in the 1970s. Several chapters tell the story of Zits's experiences here before his consciousness is ripped again through history. He becomes, at turns in the novel, a cop, a young Native American at the Battle of Little Big Horn, an old Indian fighter in Kansas, a pilot, and others. In each new body, Zits remains Zits, with his mind all of his memories, and in each situation, Zits experiences or commits violence. And each of the moments that he experiences, a little like the scenes that the ghost in A Christmas Carol shows old Scrooge, offers him perspective on the responsibilities that humans have for one another, on the futility of violence, on the destructive cycles that over and over ruin human lives, and, of course, on the person he's become and the violence that he, back in his original body, is on the verge of committing.

So, even though the premise is a little strange, it's a tremendously meaningful novel. Each of the stories, and especially Zits's own which frames them all, is well-written--intense, emotionally engaging, and wise. The writing is consistently funny (I doubt Alexie could be anything but funny), and at times, such as the scene in which an Indian-fighter soldier deserts his troop in an effort to save a young Indian-boy's life, Alexie creates images of just striking beauty that pierces through the ugly, violent events being depicted. And ultimately, that's how I think of the novel: although it is an odd book, and although its subject matter is occasionally grim and sad, it's ultimately a funny, hopeful, beautiful, truthful, and important novel that I'll likely read again.

I love Sherman Alexie's prose. He's one of those writers who sounds like a poet. But I didn't quite buy into the time travel in this book, and I was irritated that it was categorized as sci-fi. It's just not. The time travel is a plot device that allows Alexie to tell a string of short stories that are tied together with an anti-cycle-of-revenge or anti-cycle-of-violence message. Of course, they're also tied together by the protag, Zits. And that's where I come back to Alexie's prose. I love his prose. I love Zit's emotive and genuine-sounding voice. I believe in Zits. I've said before that if you read literary fiction, you might come to the conclusion that men everywhere are pedophiles. It's a rather disconcerting and unlikeable aspect of literary fiction, and it IS present in this book. However, it's believable in this case. I already know the stats for kids in foster care. Abuse is almost an inevitable reality for foster kids. Poor Zits. Okay, so I allowed myself to be emotionally manipulated just a little in this work--my eyes might have even welled-up a few times--which is saying a lot.

First Line: Call me Zits.

I first became a fan of Sherman Alexie when I watched the film Smoke Signals. The fandom intensified when I read Indian Killer. Now that I've read Flight, I may just graduate to waving his books in the faces of everyone I meet, exclaiming, "You gotta read these!" Alexie is a powerful, imaginative writer with a talent for making readers see other people, other cultures, in a whole new--and very real-- way.

Everyone in Flight calls the main character "Zits", and if you wonder how Zits thinks of himself, he'll tell you:

"I'm a blank sky, a human solar eclipse."

Zits is half Indian, half Irish. His alcoholic father took off when he was born. His mother died when he was six. His aunt kicked him out when he was ten after he set her boyfriend on fire. (Don't feel too bad for the boyfriend; he was a pedophile.) Now he's fifteen. He's been in twenty foster homes and twenty-two schools. He has barely enough clothes to fit in a backpack. He's a throwaway kid, and he wants revenge, so one day he takes a gun and walks into a bank...and begins a series of adventures in time travel. No time machine for Zits; the gun is the catalyst for his stints as a mute Indian boy during the Battle of the Little Big Horn, an FBI agent, an Indian tracker, an airplane pilot instructor, and his own father. His desire for revenge rapidly becomes an ongoing lesson in empathy.

The book had barely begun when I fell for Zits hook, line and sinker. What did he say? Something that every passionate reader will understand:

"I bet you a million dollars there are less than five books in this whole house. What kind of life can you have in a house without books?"

Alexie's skilled pen makes Zits anything but a throwaway kid in the reader's mind. I empathized with this lonely young boy, my heart broke when his broke, I became angry when he did. As Zits time-traveled, his attitude began to change, and I found myself hoping with all my heart that he no longer thought of himself as worthless; that someone somewhere would see how valuable he was.

What better thing can you say about a writer than that you were totally involved in what happened to his fictional character? That, for a short period of time, you were transported miles away from your comfort zone and confronted with people totally alien to you, and that you began to care, to get angry, and to be compelled to do something?

Sherman Alexie has a knack for knocking the wind out of you, reaching inside your chest, yanking out your heart, and making you laugh the entire time. FLIGHT--a surreal journey through time with a potentially homicidal, yet sardonically funny, teenager named Zits--is no exception. Zits has experienced grief and betrayal throughout his life: his American Indian father abandoned him at birth, his Irish mother died when he was a child, and he has since been shuffled through a series of abusive or indifferent homes. Just as he tries to take revenge on society (particularly white society) by massacring innocent people, he finds himself transported into the bodies of a series of Indians and whites, each of them participants in a wrenching cycle of violence and betrayal.

Along with betrayal and revenge, plane crashes are a recurring theme in the book, which conjures thoughts of 9/11. Indeed, in an interview with NPR, Alexie said that the inspiration for the novel was a story he heard about the flight instructor who trained one of the 9/11 hijackers, the friendship that blossomed between them, and the betrayal the pilot felt when he discovered what his friend had done. In a way that is very pertinent for the events of our time--not only terrorism and our response to it, but also the recent spate of shooting sprees, ongoing racial violence, and more--FLIGHT is a meditation on cyclical violence and the question of whether it can ever be justified.

FLIGHT is a beautiful novel, and while full of tragedy, it is an ultimately hopeful story. On his journey, Zits learns that even amid the worst horror, there are those courageous souls whose humanity overrides the desire for vengeance. As he has a gift for doing, Alexie suffuses the novel with humor and sensitivity.

Sherman Alexie is one of those authors that everyone loves and for good reason. He's ambitious, witty, fearless and unbelievably creative. I've been interested in picking up more of his books recently, especially after reading and loving The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Ten Little Indians and some of Alexie's poetry last year. I've also been listening to Nancy Pearl's podcasts on my commute and one of her older archived interviews was with Sherman Alexie right after he published Flight, which is, as far as I can tell, one of his least popular books to date. It did not sell well and has received very mixed reviews. Something about the way Alexie talked about his narrator Zits really made me want to read it and I suggest everyone go watch the video! If that doesn't make you want to read Flight, I'm not sure what will.

"Call me Zits," the novel begins, introducing us to one of the most original narrators I've read in a long time. He's a half-white-half-indian teenager who has been wronged by life, a not uncommon tale, of an absent father and a loving mother who dies when Zits is young, forcing him into an uncertain life going from foster care family to foster care family. After one particular incident with a new foster care family, Zits is arrested and while in jail he meets Justice. Justice convinces him that he can bring his mother back, but only if he kills someone in a revenge murder. So Zits shoots up a bank and is killed by a police officer, dying immediately.

But that's not where Zits's story ends, that's only where it begins. As Alexie explains in the video, he becomes "unstuck in time" like Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse Five, going from one moment in American history to the next. At each moment, he experiences a revenge killing of sorts, making him relive the moment when he made the decision to shoot the bank. Zits inhabits the body of all sorts of men and boys throughout history - men who betray their wives, soldiers who betray their army, even a little boy who is asked to do an unspeakable thing. Each time he feels the guilt multiplied until he cannot understand making that decision over and over and over again.

One thing I think is clear from reading Flight is that we are all capable of revenge. It can be a small thing, it does not have to be as big as murder, but that is a human feeling. It does not matter what race you are or what gender you are or what age you are. It is a powerful human emotion that can make anyone do something they will regret. Zits's story ends well, at least he tells us it does. We are left at the end, unsure of what to believe or knowing what was real. In the end, though, it does not matter if it was real or all in Zits's head. It does not matter if he killed in 2007 or the 1970s or the 1700s, or if he killed at all. What is important is what he learned along the way - the danger of exacting revenge for something that no one could stop and the ability to forgive. At least we hope he learned something.

This novel is so unique, drawing on influences from literature and popular culture, but making it into a completely original story that encompasses many aspects of our culture in one short novel.

Flight is not exactly what I expected when I purchased it but it was a very pleasant surprise.

Well written with the pace of a short story the author draws the reader into the confused and frustrated world of Zits the main character.

In the end the whole story happens so fast that the reader is left to ponder what just happened. Great literature that will pull at the heart strings and leave the reader emotionally drained.

Well worth the time and effort it takes to thoroughly enjoy the story.

A fast paced short novel that leaves the reader with a lot to think about. The narrator, Zits (Michael), is a 15 year-old Native American who, while being shuffled from one foster family to another, has become bitter and angry (but, as is typical for Alexie, still witty). At the brink of committing an act of terrifying violence, he is catapulted back in time and inhabits a variety of characters, both white and Native American.

This reminded me of Vonnegut in a number of ways, especially Slaughterhouse Five, both in tone and plot, and of Salinger (as others have pointed out). It is a humanist critique of our violence towards one another, betrayals, and obsession with revenge. The commentary and the arc of redemption are pretty straightforward, but that doesn't make them any less powerful. Highly recommended for both adults and teens.

Flight is the story of fifteen year old Zits. Zits is a half Native American/half white orphan. He's been in and out of foster homes since his mother died when he was six years old. Zits has decided to commit a massive act of violence. Right at the moment he begins to act on that decision, he is transported back in time into the body of an FBI agent during the Civil Rights era. This happens to be Zits first stop in a series of travels through history.

This was an amazing little book. The main character gets to find out what it's like to be inside someone else. To feel what they're feeling. To see what they're seeing. To see hate and what it does to people no matter what race they are or what side they're on. At one point, Zits is a white man hunting down Native Americans. At another point, he's a Native American killing the white man. It was just so interesting to see both sides of the same situation and see how both sides feel justified in what they're doing. These aren't the only situations he finds himself in, but they're all interesting. This book is quite violent and the language is rather course, but it should be. This is a fifteen year old boy that's lived a horrible life and the things he does and says feel real. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this sort of thing, but I can see some parents having issues with the language and violence. Personally, I would let my kids read it if they wanted, but that's just me.

I am not sure I can really call it a "coming of age" story because it's more like a "coming of Self" story. A very troubled teen experiences time travel like the guy on the old "Quantum Leap" TV show and through those lives becomes ... whole. A kid with a future not just an ugly past that was really going to be his doom. I've never read a story quite like this and I'm three book a day invalid. It's impressive! The author certainly deserves the awards he's receiving; he tells a strong, pure story. I'm going now to find more of his work.

I gave it five stars for being extremely well-written, completely credible and, corny as it may sound, for being inspiring. Read it. You'll see what I mean.

I see everyone is analyzing this book to the nth degree . Maybe that's because there's a 13 page "Black Cat Reading Guide, Questions for Discussion". in the back. I've never seen anything like that before. Neat. I wish they would have given us the answers tho :o)
I enjoyed Flight because it was different, imaginative, funny (in the beginning), yet poignant.

Some say the ending was a "cop out", too "happily ever after" ish. I saw it as hopeful. Landing in the family Zits did doesn't guaranty his future, not at all, but it does give him and the readers hope.

Zits recounts when he was at the Newark Airport baggage claim and saw a bunch of army soldiers all dressed in their best uniforms with all their medals and ribbons playing keep-away from this nerdy soldier who was wearing thick black army glasses and had big old Army-nerd zits on his face. "His zits were worse than mine.."
"Yeah sure, these guys were serving their country.....but they were just kids, 18, 19 yrs old: immature and goofy and mean and acne scarred and funny and stupid and silly and unsure about everything.
And these are the children we send to fight our wars. And all of us children fight to defend adults. Doesn't that seem backward?" Yes it does. The draft age should be reversed.

I found Flight his best. The Toughest Indian in the World second. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Reservation Blues, Indian Killer I didn't care for.

My first exposure to Alexie's work was 'Smoke Signals,' which I loved. I then read 'Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian' which is an amazing piece of young adult fiction (though reading Alexie's bio blurb, its alot of fact too). I am not as in love with 'Flight' as I was with the other two, however it is still a well written piece of fiction and is thought provoking. Two things that I now expect from Alexie. Our narrator, Zits, is angry with the world. When he makes a new friend, who goes by the name of Justice he doesn't shy away from the violent ideas that he embodies. Zits ends up body hopping through key moments in American history allowing him to gain the perspective and insight he needs to move past his personal anger and pain.

It is definitely for an audience older than 'Absolutely True Diary..' but it would appeal to someone looking for something similiar, the humor is darker but the subject matter is very simiilar. I liked it overall and would reccomend it, I will probably go and grab another one of his books today.

Sherman Alexie has really found a strong voice with his young adult fiction. (Not that he doesn't have other great voices.) Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian was terrific. Flight is a little more challenging.

The seriously wounded, orphaned 15 year-old hero Zits (you don't learn his real name until the last page) travels through time and in and out of people's bodies. I often didn't know what was real, what was imagined, and what was supernatural. It got a bit confusing as Zits learns lesson after historical lesson. But it all paid off in a very moving way.

My one criticism is a story line about a Moslem terrorist. This guy does something unbelievable and pointless (even by terrorist standards), for no discernible reason. I didn't like Alexie's playing into these stereotypes and pumping up the bogus "war on terror". Other than that, I found this an original and meaningful book. It only takes a few hours for an adult to read and should be highly readable for any teen.

Published in 2007, "Flight" is one of Sherman Alexie's more recent novels. His critically acclaimed YA debut "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" came out a few months after "Flight's" publication. Together these novels illustrate how teen narrators can comfortably inhabit both adult and young adult novels. More about that later.

The book starts with a simple request from the narrator: "Call me Zits. Everybody calls me Zits." In other words, the narrator has no name. Given the structure of the novel, this choice actually works. Throughout the story, Zits is rarely called by any kind of name that would be termed as his own. The opening line also tells readers everything they need to know about Zits. Specifically that this fifteen-year-old half-Irish, half-Indian kid doesn't think enough of himself to bother using his own name. Worse, Zits is pretty sure no one else thinks much better of him.

Orphaned at six and in foster care since he was ten, Zits has slipped through the cracks and is truly a lost soul. After an unceremonious exit from his twentieth foster home and his latest stint in the kid jail in Seattle's Central District, Zits starts to think that maybe he doesn't really need a family. Maybe what he needs is some kind of revenge.

But things don't go as planned. Instead of punishing the white people who are abstractly responsible for his present situation, Zits finds himself on a time-traveling, body-shifting quest for redemption and understanding.

Zits' first "stop" is inside the body of a white FBI agent during the civil rights era in Red River, Idaho. From there he moves to the Indian camp at the center of Custer's Last Stand, then a nineteenth century soldier, a modern pilot with his own variety of demons and, finally, Zits finds himself in a body more familiar than he'd like to admit.

As many other reviewers are quick to point out, "Flight" is Alexie's first novel in ten years. Unlike previous works, where characters and plots intersected (even in his short stories), this novel remains disjointed. It's the kind of book that could easily be seen as a grouping of short stories. Except that each segment follows Zits' spiritual evolution. For this reason, the novel is obviously much more character driven than plot driven. But Alexie makes it work.

I consider flight to be adult fiction. Zits is a teen, so it could be YA, but that fact is largely irrelevant to the main machinations of the novel--which is why it's an adult book but "True Diary" whose narrator is close to Zits' age is a YA book.

Finally, a word on the ending of the novel: It's optimistic. There is some talk that the ending is too up, that things come together a bit too easily. In terms of the plot that could be true although I'm more of a mind that the ending was already in the works from the beginning (the fact that "The wounded always recognize the wounded" and other events support me in this claim).

Some have claimed that the happy ending might be reason to suggest that "Flight" is a YA book because only a book written for teens would have such an abrupt ending. That's bogus. This is an adult book that teens can enjoy and the ending doesn't change that. After reading this novel it becomes clear that Zits has been through a lot. Way more than any fifteen-year-old should have to take. For Alexie to end the novel in any other way would have been a slap in the face both for Zits and the readers invested in his fate.

"Flight" is a really quick read (I finished it in a day) and entertaining throughout. The novel doesn't have the depth of character found in "Reservation Blues" or "True Diary" but the story remains different enough from Alexie's usual work to make "Flight" a refreshing departure nonetheless.

The story was heartbreaking, thought-provoking, darkly humorous at times, and I like to believe hopeful as the main character (Zits, an angry teenager in foster care) is taken to different times of history the moment he's about to shoot-up a bank full of people. It's more than just "time travel" as he finds himself living various lives-- for example as a Native American boy in the 1800s and later as an "Indian tracker," forcing him to question and confront various things including violence and war.

What a powerful book! It's got imagination, it's got time travel, it's got Mr. Alexie's practical, flat-out straight way of describing things, it's got a huge amount of death, and it's got a cool ending. Not to mention, by the time I finished reading it, I was against killing ANYthing, a tick was biting me; instead of killing it, I just gently, carefully, took it outside and gently, carefully, threw it back into nature where it belonged! ... and I hate ticks.

Jack London wrote a reincarnation book nobody's ever heard of (but it's surprisingly good!) called The Star Rover that is a little like this one.

FLIGHT boasts a blend of brilliant ideas as our young narrator, Zits, sturggles to find his real self while keeping his tough front intact to protect himself from the world. While he floats from foster home to jail back to other foster homes, he pines for his beloved but deceased mother and the father he never knew but who gave him his black hair and pimples.

After he lands in jail after fleeing another home, he meets a young man who "takes him under his wing" so to speak and teaches him how to control his hate into something more creative: a la killing those who fit under the regime of belonging to a religion, system, or public function in a bank. While Zits guns people down, he is shot and dies... or does he?

What happens afterward is a bizarre yet educational trip through time, when he lands in the body of a hardened FBI agent who hates American Indians, a young American Indian boy during the battle of Little Bighorn, a white solider who tracks down a band of Native Americans with the purpose to slaughter them, a pilot who trained a radical while in the throes of a loveless affair, and even his own father. Through these trips he experiences greed, death, extreme hate and extreme love. As Zits witnesses a bit more of each of these, he realizes that the world has its bad times, but the tiny moments of hope are the ones that make it worthwhile.

Written in the voice of a wounded yet intelligent fifteen year old, FLIGHT packs a mean punch when it comes to putting history and people into life. There are a few instances of teenage jargon (Zits hides behind "Whatever" and says "okay" with almost every sentence when he's trying to be sarcastic) which tend to irritate this reviewer, yet I forgive him during his lapses into different times because he's learning so much.

The reason behind three stars is that this unique coming-of-age story is really short, so it wraps Zits' pain up too neatly. He can't possibly learn compassion and hope that fast. I suppose he only got a taste of it and the rest it up to him. But where's the real resolution? Also, some of the time travel sequences are not as compellion because they are so short. I wanted to see more of the Red River and Little Bighorn sequences, and more of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. But the most poignant scene was when Zits was Gus, the tracker who led the army to the band of Native Americans, and he helped a young soldier save a little native boy. That part brought on a few tears.

But please don't skip this book because it's so short. It's a wonderful look into the face of a young boy's world and what he takes from it.

I found it edgy and and vulgar as someone else said. I read for entertainment... I guess this is on reading lists but not lists for entertainment,obviously. At my age i don't need more lessons on how bad life can be. I know.

Flight tackles gripping timely issues such as death, mass murder, abandonment,revenge, and a failing American foster care system while at the same time bringing to life pieces of history that cause any reader to shudder at the awful truths that are resurrected.

As the main character, Michael (a young boy who is half American and half Native American and whose nickname is "Zits" because it is the only thing he has truly come to identify himself with) is juggled through time, he is put in positions that cause him to question the decisions he has made in his life that have led him in to a bank lobby contemplating committing mass murder. He confronts the past in a way that sheds light on his tumultuous and unsteady life in the here and now.

So often critics are harsh on happy endings, but every now and then they do happen, life does go the way we hope for, so why should we treat them as an anathema in good storytelling? In the end it is an uplifting story even though it brings to life some of the darkest pieces of humanity.

If you feel comfortable teaching a text that is at times violent and sprinkled with profanity, then this book can be a valuable tool that can open students' eyes to an enjoyable and enlightening reading experience.

I definitely suggest reading this book even if you don't plan on teaching it. It will take you on a journey unlike many other reading experiences, and if you're willing to let your imagination do some work and suspend your disbelief long enough to let Zits soar through time, then you will really enjoy what is between the pages of this novel.

Flight is wunderkind Sherman Alexie's newest novel after a loooong ten-year pause. It is also his first youth and science-fiction novel.

The wait was well-waitered. His newest character is angsty, time-travelling Seattle Indian teen, Zits. With his aesthetically applied moniker, Zits shows externally what seems to be an emptiness internally: sharp, red pustules of rage. After shooting up a bank lobby on the encouragement and companionship of pale complexioned, Nietzsche-quoting fellow teen inmate, Justice, Zits disappears into a time rift, body-hopping the continental United States' space and history, pondering the whys and wherefores and what-to-from here's of his new pal "Justice."

With a nod to the late, great Vonnegut in the title-page quote and post-publication interviews, Alexie acknowledges his indebtedness to his literary predecessors. He also, as always, draws heavily from his contemporary Indian culture in much the way his past works did: through Indian lore (ghost dancing is again referenced, this time prior to shooting up the bank lobby) and through Indian rhythm. And perhaps this is the way Alexie most stands out as a writer: his prosody is deeply reminiscent of oral traditions and the much later Beat Generation we saw in the 1960's and 1970's. Hearing Alexie talk his art is a must.

As YA fiction, Flight succeeds on all levels. It is not the heady, intellectual pudding of yester-years, instead it is a proud and pithy piece, appealing to those of the younger generation simply for the rash action, searing self-hate and contradictory arrogance of Zits. The entire premise of this book is a caution to step back, and a roaring laugh verging on tears at Zits' self-mocking impotence, exactly the type of thing every red-blooded teen is dealing with today.

Flight is great, however you can be assured that this is not going to be Sherman Alexie's best novel. We will see better and hopefully many, many more.

What drives man to be violent, insensitive, and close-minded all too often individually and collectively? These are issues explored in this brilliant book. I have used this book numerous times of the last five years with my upper level English classes and the students really enjoyed it. The book prompted many deep discussions about intolerance, revenge and forgiveness, and as the main character is a teenager who has suffered many life traumas, my students instantly relate from the opening pages. Beware of the adult language and issues, but be prepared to be challenged and blown away. If you are teaching 7-10th graders, a better choice may be Alexie's semi-autobiographical story the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Read them both and enjoy a modern master.

After the son is born, the alcoholic father abandons the mother. When the boy is 6 the mother dies of cancer. The boy goes from foster family to foster family. Some naive with good intentions others strictly seeing him as an opportunity for a government pay check. This is the world of 15 year old Zits. He struggles to find what is right and what is wrong. Seeking, out in the streets, the love and understanding that he's never had. His journey to find this love and self-understanding is his Flight. I was quickly engaged with this book. I quickly got inside the skin of Zits, as he asks himself a million questions trying to figure out the world outside him. I picked up the book to learn about Native American culture but instead I learned a lot about human beings. The book is somewhat graphic with a good amount of foul language which some might be offended with. But I consider the book a wonderful work of art.

Overall, Flight was a good book. The setting of the book is in Seattle, Washington in 2007. Zits is a troubled teen whose lost his mother to breast cancer and whose father ran out on him very young. After having another tussle with the police, Zits meets a kid named Justice in kid jail. Zits and Justice have a very deep conversation about life and learn to love each other. When released Zits decides to meet up with Justice so they can become closer friends. Little does Zits know that Justice will persuade Zits to shoot down a bank. So, because of Justice's persuasion, Zits goes into a bank and shoots it down killing many people; including himself. When Zits wakes up he find himself in a different body. This happens 6 times as he goes through 6 different characters. He becomes an FBI agent gone bad, a cavalry soldier, a cheating husband, his runaway father, a little Native American boy under U.S army attack, and himself. When Zits wakes up from his "dream" he realizes he is in the bank with no one dead. After leaving the bank, Zits goes to turn himself in because he had the idea of shooting the bank down. Finally, after later being declared no longer a threat to society Zits gets put in a foster family with his parole officer's brother. He quickly grows to love them and earns his real name back, Michael.

It took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but it was very deep and satisfying to read! Actually I listened to the Audio Version available through the Anchorage Public Library. I am looking forward to reading more by Sherman Alexie.

Thank goodness for the great tellers of stories that reconnect us to the honor of being sentient.

Alexie's new novel is a compassionate exploration of how a throw away life can still harbor a loving and forgiving soul.

Zits, the 15 year old shape shifter hero of Flight carries great sadness, shame, anger, and an education by television garnered living with 20 foster families in the nine years since his mother died of cancer into a moment that becomes an extended awareness of how connected we all are in our losses, our anger, and our assumptions of what is historically accurate and what may have been. Zits possibly becomes several people in and out of the "present", "future", and "past" - all in a moment that will change the course of that particular life. Whether this actually happens or whether it is his fantasy, the choices made by Zits within the shape he has been thrust into will forever affect his relationship with his own pivotol choice.

This book may be perceived as having a happy ending. It is happy in the sense that some lives are allowed to proceed with love, with hope. It is sad in allowing Zits and ultimately the reader to know how lucky we are to have that chance in a world where there are still so many throw away souls and where there is a self indulgent need by so many of us to manipulate others for gain or revenge.

I couldn't put this book down. I will always be grateful I took the time to sit down with it, and reconnect with the Mind of Alexie.

"Flight" seems more a novella than a novel, considering it reads fairly quickly. This may simply be a result of the fact that the style of the book makes it so difficult to set down.

Taking a cue from coming-of-age forerunners like J.D. Salinger or even Twain, Alexie's new novel features an automatically loveable narrator and protagonist--he is an ignorant teen spouting every semblance of an idea that comes into his head. Liking the character Zits might seem strange at first, considering the awful thoughts of his that come spilling onto the page, but his ignorance gives him a certain license to honesty that allows me as a reader to learn more about this character than I would were he written under a 3rd person narration.

The progression--or more accurately, temporal digression--of the plot is easy to miss at first. Fortunately, though, if you don't get it immediately after the first time-change, Alexie is kind enough to state explicitly that Zits is in fact traveling backwards in time.

"Flight" is full of gruesome and disturbing imagery, but the book isn't concerned with race or culture in the way one might immediately think. It features characters from across a variety of different cultures and backgrounds who exhibit an entire spectrum of moral human behavior. Alexie isn't trying to point a finger at any people or group, but rather at a thought pattern. So while this book may technically be classified under Native-American literature, it is really simply a book about humanity and the chaotic world in which that heterogenous group exists.

I love Sherman Alexie. He is an accomplished writer, poet, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, director, and editor. I love his poetry. I love his unique style. He can make you laugh and cry at the same time. This quirky book is a fast entertaining and interesting read. The young man in the story is about to commit an extreme act of violence when he finds himself yanked into time and into the body of an FBI agent during the civil rights era. He continues to travel through time inhabiting several different bodies. When he finally comes back to his own body he has learned a lot along the way, and so have we--vicariously, through him. He is transformed by what he's seen and we are transformed in the reading of this book. This is Sherman's shamanistic magic and he puts it to good effect in this book.

Before I got into it, a book about a troubled teen who time travels didn't sound to exciting to me. Glad I gave it a shot. There was enough going on that it held my attention well. I like the way Sherman writes. I found it to be pretty realistic. I also thought he handled the time-travel better than I've read in other books. I wasn't confused at any time.

This book makes you think. Makes you realize everybody has their own problems. Let's help and not hurt. Let's live and let live. Why are we killing each other for land, religion, oil, or any reasons? Don't we all just want to be wanted, and be part of a healthy happy family? Yes.

Not to get too personal here... But I always considered myself empathetic and understanding of other people's life stories or narrative. I am not niave and I understand this suggestion is an impossibility. Furthermore, due to life circumstances I have been forced outside of my own reality and now see things that I was never capable of seeing before.

On to the book... This book illustrates the vague, obtuse concept I am trying to put into words before. As individulas we are unquestionably influenced by our upbringing and environment and Sherman Alexie puts that into words and into a journey in a manner which RESONATES with the reader.

An important note... Kudos to the editors Grove Press/Atlantic Monthly. They actually include questions to supplement your understanding of the author's intention and stimulate discussion of the book!!! In that, I plan on reading several more of their books! Her is the website:
[..]
Good Reading,
Brent

It was an odd misstatement on the flyleaf that this is Sherman's "first novel in ten years." Although I am not a fan of poetry and at odds with Sherman regarding a real-life killer, Leonard Peltier, everyone can appreciate his incredible talent and masterful control of dialogue and storytelling. He brings the reader into the plot making it difficult not to keep turning the pages and hating to see it end (the book's only shortcoming is that is was much too short). Flight takes us on a journey of self-exploration, forcing us to examine stereotypes and the basic human emotions and prejudices everyone possesses, and oftentimes deny, as civilized society tramples along beside us. Sherman holds a mirror to everyone's face and demands that they see truth.

In a review, the reader tries to create a sense of the book; the task is to boil down the essence of the work and to summarize and give opinion about the quality of the object in a very subjective manner. I am making a project of finding that essence in the most constrained manner possible. Here, I present you with a haiku review. I hope you like the review and take under consideration a purchase of the work.

This book is amazing,
relating history I
wouldn't understand.

This novel reminded me From Dusk til Dawn in that it started out like a normal Alexie piece and then all of the sudden things got weird. And I love weird. It was a surreal, time traveling, insightful and disturbing nightmare. My only complaint would be that sometimes Alexie can be like studio Grateful Dead. You want him to take his little side stories for a nice walk but they end up being too short.

After a ten year waiting period, Sherman Alexie's latest novel, Flight, has finally arrived. And while this has some ecstatic for another taste of Native American culture in the spirited voice Alexi is known for, others are a bit more hesitant to take to the new novel, as they find it is filled with a lot of adult language, and many violent and harsh scenes which some feel take away from the plot. Yet, this is what I find to be the most interesting aspect of the novel, and something necessary to get Alexie's message through. A half native American orphan named Zits is the story's protagonist, and from page one, Zits goes straight into a string of cursing and insults as he narrates about his life jumping from abusive foster home to another. Zits has run away countless times, and on his most recent trip, he winds up in jail, where he meets Justice, a boy who leads Zits to commit violent acts. However, just as Zits is about to commit one, he is transported through the past and vicariously lives through a number of people, native American, and non-native American alike, whom are involved with violence. Yet, through these travels the reader is able to observe Zits' reactions to these situations and his ultimate transformation. So, although this storyline is very direct and severe language is used, the characterization of Zits is vivid and complex, and the constant action of the novel keeps the reader's interest. I would recommend this novel to teens and adults alike; it is a quick, yet thought provoking read with a powerful message, presented through a the simple eyes of a teenager learning to separate right from wrong, and complete his own search for identity.

-Zuzu Sarhan

This is a rough book to read. Zits is a 15 year old boy who has been bounced from foster home to foster home. No one wants an ugly Indian boy with a huge chip on his shoulder in their home. Zits enters a bank with the intention of shooting people. He begins to travel through time and hits certain parts of his history--Custer's last stand, seeing his father when he was being born; these memories or spiritual visits makes Zits realize why he is what he is. There is a lot of harsh language and graphic violence in this book, but it is needed. HS students, especially boys, will love this book. It has action, attitude and hits home. It is a quick read as well.

Before I begin my actual review, I would like to agree with previous reviewers stating the novel is very short. It is indeed a quick read - I finished in about 4 hours - but this is not necessarily a bad quality. I would much rather read a short book, which I enjoy immensely page to page, than read a long book with only specific scenes that I enjoy (for example, LOTR or The Catcher in the Rye). This obviously depends on the reader, but I think the ability to write a piece of literature that captures my attention from the beginning to the end should be judged on that quality, not how long it is.

That being said, Flight is a good name for this novel - the action and superb styling made me want to fly through the story and find out what happens at the end from the very beginning. Although not exactly multi-dimensional, Zits is a convincing reproduction of a mistreated adolescent, with an interesting past and about a 90% correct teenage attitude (I'm 16, so I think I'm allowed to judge this).

The plot twists are interesting, if a bit confusing at first. I found myself letting go of over-thinking in favor of simply enjoying what was happening after his first trip to another's body.

The only lull in the story I would say was the trip to the pilot's body, but that's quickly fixed in his next trip. I also didn't really like how the ending was completely and utterly happy. After such a negative atmosphere from the rest of the novel, the juxtaposition was slightly awkward. Along with that, as said by an English classmate of mine during a discussion we had after reading the novel, the message was a bit too strong and the symbolism a bit too weak - the allusion to the smell of "beer and onions" throughout the novel, for example, was, I thought, a deeper allusion to something evil... but even that is answered by the end.

This is still an engaging read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow teenagers - for adults, I really have no clue, although my English teacher Mr. Johnston seemed to like it!

Sherman Alexi may have captured the voice of Native Americans in general but I would contend he speaks for us all with that voice. He is always a powerful writer who creates a deep truth which shapes new understandings and beliefs. 'Flight' is billed as a work of adolescent fiction but friends, it is inspiring and shocking in its content and has such a strong narrative I think any adult who picks it up will be as enthralled as I; do yourself the favor of reading it. Alexie is always worth a look, this one is worth a buy to read and pass on to friends.

i'll confess up front that i'm a sucker for sherman alexie--i think he's a fabulous storyteller and a remarkable voice of this generation. he's most certainly secured himself a place in the modern canon with his past work, but Flight is particularly special.

the main character has a brilliant voice, an uncanny intelligence and an endearing personality...all while being one of the best written teenagers I've read in a long time. It's a bold statement, but this character plays as the Holden Caulfield of this generation...and I can't wait to recommend this book to the teens I know--I think they'll devour it.

Flight is a novel that was assigned in one of my English courses, and I wasn't sure just what to expect. From the opening lines, however, I knew that I wouldn't be putting the book down until I finished reading it.

It is quite easy to see that, above all, Alexie is having fun. Some might think this doesn't amount to much, but the truth is it goes a long way -especially for a reader like me. He's not afraid to push the envelope, nor is he afraid to tackle any subject.

As a future English teacher, there's one issue that comes readily to mind. On the subject of obscenities, Zits (the main character) wonders aloud why people are so offended by a certain grouping of words. I have wondered this as well, from time to time, and it is a major issue when it comes to teaching a novel, not just reading it.

Alexie does a great job of creating a character that a reader (of any age) can easily relate to. Zits' experiences aren't much different from those of any teenager growing up. Sure, not every teenager is an orphan bouncing around from foster home to foster home, but most teenagers experience stress, angst, and confidence issues. Throughout all, however, Zits is a character that readers can cheer for. We can sometimes speak from experience on what is going on in his life and what his outlook is, and sometimes we can only be sympathetic for a person going through what we have never known. Ultimately, however, he is a character that we can identify with.

As for historical inaccuracies, one dominant question that should be in every reader's mind when reading a first-person narrative is "how trustworthy is this character telling the story?" Zits sets himself up as a history buff. But if that's truly the case, how can he be so far off the mark with his depictions of those historical figures and battles, which he knows/idealizes?

Whatever the truth of Little Big Horn and Crazy Horse, I didn't find that it interfered with the novel at all. I found myself drawn to the character and his trials more than history.

From a writing stand point, a technically complex book that uses a disjointed structure to build toward cohesion. A neat effect.

Strong themes about fathers, sons, and inheritance, but still wish the female characters had more complexity and breadth.

Flight was a page turner. As a future English teacher, I tried looking at this novel from a students perspective. The problem was, it engrossed me fully so I can only look back in that sense now that I have completed it. The chapters are broken down perfectly. Similar to the Dan Brown books, they keep you wanting to read and find out what is going to happen to the main character-Zits.
Zits is a troubled youth of mixed background (Native American and Irish). His father left him at birth and his mother died of breast cancer when he was six. After her death, we hear of the struggles he has been a part of and begin to enter his mind. He is no doubt a troubled person but the good is always evident in him.
After witnessing different historical events and taking part in random people's lives in a sort of time warp similar to that of Slaughter House Five, Zits becomes a "man". He realizes the errors of his ways and we are left with hope and a truly happy ending.
As a reader who has a lot of trouble getting involved in and paying attention to a book, I was shocked when I completed this book in just a few hours. This of course was due to the talented work of Alexie. Zits has a simple way with words and his thoughts are very clear making this a simple read. As for students, yes there is profanity, but todays students speak more profanity in one hour than there is in this book. Is it violent? Yes. So is the 10 o'clock news. Rather than reading the dreaded classics like "White Fang", students will love the modern day references-bluetooth, paintball guns etc-and have less of a challenge seeing the point to this novel. There are countless opportunities for side lesson plans as historical events are a rather prevalent aspect of this novel.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 5 was due to it not being a "timeless classic"...but neither is White Fang.

When this book came out in print NPR interviewed Mr. Alexie and I was impressed. It was a terrific interview! However I bought the book and I was disappointed. The story is wonderful! But the writing is lacking. I thought about this for a long time. This book is geared toward adolescents. That being said I'm sure they would find this a very interesting read and possibly love it. I'm older and not only do I look for great stories but I also look for outstanding writing. In Mr. Alexie's defense, he is a terrific screenwriter and that could explain his rather spartan descriptive abilities in writing this novel. All said, I did not hate this book. I just cannot recommend it to everyone.

This is a book about a young teen named Zits. He does not think too much of himself, and does not think that anyone else does either. After getting kicked out of yet another foster home, he winds up in jail. In jail he meets a boy named Justice, and they quickly become friends. This eventually leads to Zits doing something terrible, resulting in his own death, but not really. After this, Zits goes on a journey through time, space, and people to learn about many things.

Zits learns about vengeance and betrayal. He is faced with situations in which he forced to decide how terrible decisions are justified. He is able to see through other people's eyes, and feel their emotions. Through these experiences he is truly able to empathize, and by the end of the novel begins to see things differently.

Being inside of Zits' head is very fun, and allows the reader to enjoy his witty and depressing thoughts. This book offers this perspective to give the perspective of someone who has reason to be very cynical about life. By the end of the novel, one may be depressed and reminded that the world is often a terrible place, but at the same time that there is always hope. This is a short novel about the complexities of life, coming to terms with them, and learning to deal with them in a constructive way.

This may be my favorite of all of Alexie's books. It is a mystical little tale of a fifteen-year-old Indian boy who ends up in the foster care system through no fault of his own, and slips gradually away into a life of delinquency. When he meets a white kid named Justice, he is led over the edge into full-blown criminal behavior, and his life takes a bizarre twist.

Zits is a half white half Native American orphan who bounces from foster home to foster home. At least this is how the novel begins. Join the cursing narrator Zits as he travels in unexpected ways, taking on different viewpoints as he searches for a home and a sense of peace.

Alexie's writing is simple but this is only because the author does not need big words to get his meaning across. It is written in the first person and Zits would certainly get along well with Holden Caulfield. Flight is less than 200 pages and it is accessible writing makes it a quick read.

Though the novel is short and simply written this does mean it is a simple book. Flight raises many issues that are worth consideration: is killing ever justified?, what does it mean to have a home?, shame, poverty, issues of race, social stratification, and the complexity of people as they make their way in the world.

For all the teachers out there I would recommend teaching this book at the junior high and high school level. You may receive some flak because of the language use but it is viscerally written to emphasize Zits' character rather than shock value. It is important to read about cultural viewpoints different than the mainstream to gain a better understanding of the iniquities of the world. It is only if these iniquities are highlighted that social change can begin. It is the job of the teacher to raise social awareness. It also has a discussion section at the back of the book which you can use to help build lesson plans.

Review By Eli Steier

One of the best features of this book is that it can just as easily be read in one's free time as incorporated into the classroom (though a bit violent for lower grades). The book portrays a young half American Indian boy named Zits who moves from foster family to foster family.
When Zits tries to shoot up a bank under the direction of a boy he knows only as Justice, he travels back in time to periods that shape how he thinks about his race, his sexuality, and his father as he jumps from event to event.

This book highlights how history culminates into several American and Native American experiences and identities. It also challenges assumptions about how we tell `historical' stories, and how the ways Native Americans are/were seen by white colonizers and vice versa are actually far from the truth. My one problem with the novel was that in all his traveling Zits encounters no substantial female characters. This is a problem since many Native American cultures are shaped by a very different understanding of women and women's roles than western culture.

Buy this book:

* If you don't mind the use of violence as a literary device
* If you enjoy learning about re-imagining of history
* If you are interested in seeing the reaction a contemporary Native American/Irish boy put into conflicting events such as The battle of the Little Bighorn and a cavalry ambush of a poorly armed Native American village.

Do not buy this book:
* If you do not like to read about violence described in gruesome ways
* If you find time travel too "science fiction"
* If you are interested in substantial female characters (In the novel women are seen very few times and then only as sexual objects)

This is how Alexie brings us in! He introduces us to a character that we are already familiar with no matter how old we are - the typical troubled, "bad boy" teen. Through the first few chapters, we begin with an, "Ah, I know this boy" attitude. Then, his "typical" bad boy life changes. He goes places none of us have before. But, we still want to follow him because we "know" him, or at least someone like him. On the surface, the entire novel seems like a young teenage boy and his unexpected journeys through time. However, we can look so much deeper than that. It seems, through his time travel, Zits is making commentary on real world and societal issues and is not afraid to say it. In the beggining, he uses the teenage language and laid back "I don't care" attitude to introduce concepts of murder, culture, citizenship, identity, friendship, etc. We may almost pass him off as a troubled teen with an attitude problem. However, his extreme detail and analysis of his time travel proves to us that in every time and place in the world there are major contradictions between what we are told/taught and what actually happens and how people actually feel.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I do feel that adolescents might have trouble with it. As a college student reading it for school, I had trouble stopping to jot down notes or putting the book down. In the begining, when I would leave the book, I felt like I had no idea what was going on. I could make new predictions every other chapter as to if this person really was Zits, if it was a dream, time travels, a nightmare, etc. and sometimes my predictions were way off. Just when I thought I knew what was happening I realized I didn't. Although predicting and repredicting was fun for me, I think it may cause the "anti-reading" adolescent student trouble. I enjoy being confused and I enjoy every twist and turn, but I'm not sure a majority of adolescents would. However, because of the literary beauty, terrific writing, great story and underlying commentary, I believe trying to get adolescents to read this novel is definitely worth a shot!

This book was not what I expected; Flight is not your typical coming-of-age story. The half-native-American protagonist calls himself Zits (because everyone else does). Zits is a delinquent--and who could blame him. His alcoholic father abandoned him at birth; his mother died when he was a toddler. Bounced between orphanages, uncaring foster parents, and jail, Zits is an angry young man struggling to find an identity. The only semblance of role model material in his life is homeless native-Americans who live on the streets and imbibe illicit drugs.

Then Zits meets Justice, a manipulative and charismatic adolescent. Justice inspires Zits, and Zits believes that he will follow Justice anywhere. However, Justice has less than benevolent aspirations.

For the first 50 or so pages, the story arc of this book follows a foreseeable path. Then the events turn radical, and the reader is taken--quite by surprise--on a spiritual journey. The journey is a montage of historical events illustrating the struggles of Native Americans in this country. The events are visceral; Sherman's style delivers savage imagery with no remorse.

It is not enough to say that Zits is merely a witness to these historical events; during his spiritual quest, Zits experiences the events through the eyes of different characters. He has access to their memories and is acutely attuned to their feelings and thoughts. Numerous perspectives are examined in detail during this ever-changing scape of nightmarish surroundings. And the most beautiful aspect of the novel is that the reader witnesses changes manifest in the protagonist as the events progress. Highly original and delivered brutally.

A Beginning that shakes and nerves the reader and an end that satisfies what we have just endured. Sherman Alexie's Flight, is an exceptional piece of literature. It breaks apart any sense of restrictive barriers to create this connection of reader and "Zits", the main character. The character development seen throughout the work is brillant; there are connections that gradually develop between the reader and Zits. He is simply more than just the narrator, his voice narrates the thoughts that run through an adolescent mind, an angered heart, and through an individual who is lost within him/herself.

This book becomes one set on profanity, to become one that uses profanity to achieve innonence. Though Zits is planning a horrific act of violence; his innonence at first doesn't allow him to realize the true extent of what crosses his mind. That is why Alexie takes Zits and the reader back in time to witness the realities of pain, hatred, and violence. Zits journey back in time isn't the only journey taken. Alexie is addressing the current state of society and how its plague by forgetfulness and that there is this strong need for us to be reminded of what the right ideals are, what hope is, and how the answer resides within ourselves. An exceptional book by an exceptional author.

As a future educator there is a dire need to teach this book. Being allowed to do so, may be another story. But I believe all language is strong language. Each word's meaning changes in relation to the next or in different contexts; but, as Sherman Alexie breaks down certain barriers or literary conventions with this novel, maybe as a future educator, I can do so as well.

Sherman Alexie's Flight reminds us all that we seek love and need love. The novel's protagonist, "Zits" is a wayward teenager who is victimized by the foster-care system and as a result wrestles with shame, alienation and self. Zits draws the reader in as he narrates this tale with a matter-of-fact tone and a sardonic sense of humor that only a teenager of his circumstance could own. After another one of Zit's attempts at running away, the altruistic Officer Dave catches him; Officer Dave is Zits only true friend. In describing Dave, Zits claims, "the wounded always recognize the wounded. We can smell each other." These open wounds are the catalysts that turn a routine visit to kid jail into something more sinister; it is on this visit, that the susceptible Zits comes under the spell of another Juvenile Delinquent named "Justice" and decides to become his brother in arms. While faced with a critical decision, initiated by the charismatic Justice, Zits's conscience soars-literally. We find our selves taken along for the ride as Zits snatches bodies and thrusts us into a series of alternate consciousness. We become an FBI agent, an Indian boy, an Indian tracker, an adulterous man caught with his paramour and even Zits's own father. Aside from gripping action, all this body snatching serves a purpose; these characters act as vehicles for Zits to come to terms with his dubious and heart breaking past. If you want to know whether or not Zits follows Justice's flawed and mad reasoning to his own death, read this novel! Although getting to the destination is riddled with turbulence, it is well worth the flight.

Flight by Sherman Alexie is a very nice escape from the usual high school literature taught in classes. IT reads much easier and quicker than many other books, due t6 its target audience of teens, which could be interpreted by some as being boring. I do not think this, with Alexie's story of Zits, an "orphaned" half-Indian teenager in Washington state who gets shipped from jail to jail and foster home to foster home.

After one escape from jail, Zits meets a white boy named "justice" who convinces him to rob a bank. While in the process, Zits has an epiphany and gets transported into multiple circumstances ranging from a remorseful flight instructor, to an FBI agent, to an Indian at Little Bighorn, to a homeless man near his home town.

Alexie's writing style is one that reads very easily compared to much clasic literature, and the story is compelling, so to keep the reader reading. It is however on the short side of books, and a relatively quick read, so one may be better off checking it out from a library rather than investing in their own personal copy. One other criticism of the book is that there are many literary cliches placed throughout the book, which some readers may find annoying and repulsive. Overall, it was a good book and was worth reading, and I hope Alexie Continues to write books of this genre.

This book has a messed up teen with no future as it's protagonist. Zits (the main character) acts out and does things to keep people at arm's length. His world is shaken, however, when he plans a large crime, and instead finds himself time traveling to several war-related events. The ending of this book was very touching. The rating here is lower because of the rough start, but the ending by itself would receive 4 stars.

FLIGHT, by Sherman Alexie was a violent, yet always humorous book. In this action-packed adventure-fiction novel, the main character, Zits, passes through the body of several people involved with Native Americans during the Native American genocide era.
In the beginning of FLIGHT, Zits meets a 17-year-old boy named Justice, who teaches him to enjoy killing. Later, Zits visits a bank in downtown Seattle, where he shoots several people with a paint-ball-gun and a pistol. Zits is then transferred to the body of a white FBI agent in the 1970's. Next he becomes a Native American boy during the battle at Little Bighorn. Afterwards, Zits inhabits the body of a Native American tracker in the 19th century. Finally, he becomes a pilot of a small plane in the 21st century...
As I said before, FLIGHT is a very funny book; however, some of the humor may not be appropriate for children 12 and under. It has a great ending (which I'm not going to spoil). One annoying thing is that when Zits transfers to a new body, there are a lot of boring details that follow. Another bothersome thing is the main character's nickname throughout the course of the story.
FLIGHT left me satisfied. It was a great summer read. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a fun book to enjoy.

"Call me Zits. Everybody calls me Zits...My real name isn't important." From the first few lines of Sherman Alexie's Flight, the reader is aware that this young adolescent struggles from a lack of self-worth. This adolescent boy of mixed blood (American and Indian)presents a bit of his past to the reader within the first chapter of the novel. Having lived with 20 foster families by age 15, he forces the reader to feel pity for him, regardless of his negative behavior. I found myself granting clemency for his actions due to his past experiences.
This boy is lonely, disappointed,scared, angry, unsure and longs to be loved. It is not until he takes "flight" on this journey that his life changes.
Zits represents and speaks to every adolescent who struggles with stereotypes, self identity, cultural identity, family and love for self. Where the novel is bit graphic and the language a bit vulgar, it is still a novel I would teach in a secondary classroom. The way Catcher in the Rye related to students years ago, Flight relates to students of today.
Flight embodies so many themes, that every English teacher desires to touch upon. A must read for everyone!

"Call me Zits. Everybody calls me Zits...My real name isn't important." From the first few lines of Sherman Alexie's Flight, the reader is aware that this young adolescent struggles from a lack of self-worth. This adolescent boy of mixed blood (American and Indian)presents a bit of his past to the reader within the first chapter of the novel. Having lived with 20 foster families by age 15, he forces the reader to feel pity for him, regardless of his negative behavior. I found myself granting clemency for his actions due to his past experiences.
This boy is lonely, disappointed,scared, angry, unsure and longs to be loved. It is not until he takes "flight" on this journey that his life changes.
Zits represents and speaks to every adolescent who struggles with stereotypes, self identity, cultural identity, family and love for self. Where the novel is bit graphic and the language a bit vulgar, it is still a novel I would teach in a secondary classroom. The way Catcher in the Rye related to students years ago, Flight relates to students of today.
Flight embodies so many themes, that every English teacher desires to touch upon. A must read for everyone!

So let me preface this review with this, I read this book recently not because I wanted to, but because me and my fellow classmates were forced (that's strong), required to, for our pre-service English teacher course. That aside I probably would not pick up this book otherwise. Just the idea, a teenage boy searching for his identity, has been done numerous times before, and by such remarkably brilliant authors, it's almost a genre within itself. Add to this the Native American issue and alarm bells begin ringing.
After reading the first tew pages, I was patting myself on the back, saying to myself "Michael, you were right again." And then it happened; the book took off (sorry for the pun).

I think for me what set this book apart was the simple prose that Alexie uses, deceptively simple, because within each phrase, even between, there are worlds of feeling and depth.
What "Flight" does is what great literature should do, it makes the reader believe in the interconnectivity of humanity. We begin through the eyes of a downtrodden-world hating-teen named Zits, and such is his disgust with himself and the world around him that he turns his back on society. But then Zits is transported to various points of view throughout our nations "colorful" history. What he discovers while he inhabits the bodies of others is, quite simply, himself and how much they are a part of him, and he a part of them.

I'm supposed to be looking and reviewing this book through the eyes of a soon-to-be English teacher. On that note what this book provides for the younger reader: an accessible, believable young character. Love him or hate him, he is honest and jaded, a proto-typical teen. Seeing the world through Zits' eyes may be a novelty for adult readers, but I think teen readers will find it refreshing. A Holden Caulfield for a post 9-11 generation. "Flight" like good post-modern literature is honest, self-reflective and powerful. What more can any reader, young or old, ask for?

Sherman Alexie does an excellent job of incorporating different aspects of Native American history into Flight. By placing the main character, "Zits", into various roles throughout the chapters, Alexie is able to show several different perspectives related to each scene. His use of imagery allows the reader to really 'feel' the events as they are taking place.

There are certainly many ways to incorporate this book into the high school English classroom. Co-curricular assignments can also be created with the Social Studies/American History department. The recreation of the battles would undoubtedly add a bit of flair to the monotonous textbook depictions. This would also be a good bridge for connecting the history of colonization and the Americanization of Indians.

Profanity runs rampant throughout the novel, be sure to introduce this book to mature audiences. However, the language is gripping and will get students quickly engaged in the reading. Even if you choose not to teach this text in a formal setting, it may be a selection teachers could add to their bookshelves for free choice reading material.

The story of flight tracks a 15 year-old known only as Zits. He is an American Indian living in Seattle with a foster family. His real mother is dead and his father abandoned his mother. Zits' first appearance in the novel is one that will not be forgotten. He curses at his foster father and is sent to jail. Eventually he is let out by a kid named Justice, who tries to fill Zits' head with ideas of a violent revolution.

Then Zits starts traveling back and forth through time in different peoples' bodies. For example, he wakes up in the body of an Indian boy at the Battle of Little Bighorn and witnesses what occurred there. In all of these events there are moral issues and Zits must choose what is right in each situation. The dialogues feel like they were said by a teenager and are very exciting. Overall, the story is entertaining and raises some provoking questions about society.

Words of caution: the is some severe language as well as some descriptions of intense images so it should not be read by anyone of an age lower than 13.

Ya know, it was one of those things. I've collected non-fiction Native American books for for close to two decades. They remain largely ignored. I spied Flight on the shelf for $13.00!, not knowing if Sherman was a woman or a man, Indian, European or what he or she was about to teach me. The concept was brilliant, the humor made me laugh out loud and I came out of it humbled and grateful. Very short, sweet and to the point; this novella taught me something about what it might be like to be fatherless, a Northwest Native American shunned and stunned by what the America of the Starbucks's generation has become. Alexie has a great sense of humour and I suppose, if he didn't he might be one dead or bitter alcoholic.

I knew this novel was definitely going to be different just by reading the very first page. "Zits" is the main protagonist of this story and tells his screwed up accounts of being a foster child that is battling with life and finding his identity. His father left when he was born, his mother died when he was a small child, and he is angry and suffering at the hands of the foster system. I'm not sure what's worse, the things he has gone through as a foster child or the events he experiences as he soars through some unreal phenomenon of an other-worldly life. Who is he really? Does he even know? I really had a hard time trying to figure it out. He's an F.B.I agent, and Indian warrior, a silenced-Indian boy, a cheating husband, and even becomes his own father. What better way to find out why your father ditched you, than to become him. He makes this journey and takes a monumental flight that brings him back to the biggest decision of his life. This book is a bit abrasive in some of its language and graphic descriptions, but I think it has to be. This novel is written in a style that is different from the norm, which proved a key factor in my not wanting to put the book down. I read it in a few hours, eager to find out what was really going on; in a way trying to make sense of everything. I was kind of warned about some of the uncomfortable situations that I would be reading, but was glad to be prepared. I would recommend this book to adolescents and adults of all ages, with the warning that if a teenager is going to be reading this, you may want to get the OK from their parents. The life's lessons that are addressed are too valuable to be passed up.

Flight, from the very beginning is a powerful, ambitious and completely new genre of Young Adult literature. The novel is a quick read, though provides some troublesome language...though just remember, "it's only letters strung together!!!" Flight is about a young boy who is trapped in the foster system, aware of his heritage only through words and his own research. This touching story depicts a boy, with real problems growing up and questions about both his future and his past. The story becomes a little complicated as "Zits" travels back through time to the civil rights era, to little big horn and then ends up as a pilot in today's time.

The book is carefully thought out as with the rough beginning, the novel sends clear messages about judging, stereotypes and natural (unnatural) human behavior. As a Pre-service teacher I feel this book could be both difficult to teach, but also offer new levels of teaching concepts and ideas with new materials. The novel is designed to be taught and offers provocative teaching ideas and questions at the end of the novel. The book is a quick read, but full of content both practical, teachable and conscious rising. I found the novel to extremely thought provoking and it established a new hero in today's time. The novel found its way into my consciousness by creating a child of history, whilst convincing us that today's kids need a focus and attention, just like Zits.

The book is funny, tough and compelling all at the same time. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely suggest teaching this novel to high school kids as it really sends all the right messages.

I love, Love, LOVE this book.
Edgy, gritty, true-to-life and relatable to youth. I have read this book aloud to my Communications classes a number of times and each time I get more out of it than I thought imaginable. The text is user-friendly and although somewhat graphic it isnt gratuitous in the use of slang and swearing. All of my students made powerful connections to the text/ characters - regardless of their gender, religion, race, heritage, colour, ethnicity, age....
Zits is a likeable character that not only learns great life lessons, he teaches some too. i highly recommend this book to all educators, parents and teenagers. Eye openning and satisfying to read!

Oh, what a surprise this novel was! Assigned by my book club, I previously had no idea about this author or the novel. I am so glad that has changed. I simply could not put it down, and read it at one go.
Very intelligently written, even though end is fairy-tale like (but I can understand why this was done).
Strongly recommend it.

This book is quite simply one of the worst stories granted the esteem of being put to print. The crowning irony (and the reason I feel the bile rising in my throat similar to the gastric reflux of the protagonist at various points in the story) is that, in his having created a literary verisimilitude through which to elevate a child reader's understanding of extraordinarily complex emotions and issues, Alexie merely offers up numerous examples of humanity at its most horrid and debauched, thus exposing an innocent group of readers to some of the atrocities suffered by the protagonist and other characters. Make no mistake, this is a children's story, and one the New York Times Book Review clearly never read before they stuck the blurb: "Raw and vital, often raucously funny ... there isn't a false word in it" proudly on the cover.

There isn't a single funny anecdote in this entire story; it is one sad, depraved event after another for the first 172 pages, after which the author quite indelicately wraps it up with a tidy bow and a happy ending in the final 10 pages. At least in that he is consistent; his indelicacy and inattention to subtlety pervades, from page one until he mercifully ends his work. Sadly, he chose to do it 181 pages too late. While it is true that the world we live in is mired in episodic violence whereby innocent people suffer, while it is true that children are oftentimes victimized by those who are supposed to shepherd their innocence, while it is true that adolescence is an unequalled, tumultuous period under the best of circumstances; while all of this is true, Sherman Alexie's Flight is nothing more than an indelicate attempt to explore territory best left for a far more subtly discerning mind.

We live in a time when a child's innocence is being assaulted as never before, and this book is yet another example of this disheartening evolution of our moribund times.

Sherman Alexie reaches out to every adolescent who has ever felt isolated, alone, or embarrassed about themselves. The protagonist, Michael (or "Zits") embodies the very essence of adolescent behavior: he lashes out against authority; he seeks acceptance and friendship from a boy that shares similar beliefs; he speaks in a tone and voice that is a perfect replica of most teens today; and, Zits searches for his identity at a point in his life which mirrors when most teens are uncertain of who they are. Each of these important life experiences offer the reader a chance to connect to this dynamic character.

The language that Sherman Alexie uses really is sophisticated, relatable and engaging. Zits uses foul language to protect himself. Basically, the language Zits uses serves as a defense mechanism, and in turn, shows his reluctance to open his heart. Zits usually reacts with statements like, "You bet your plopping a** I'm laughing at you," (15) when he wants to avoid conversations or agitate someone. This is by no means the crudest of his language usage, but for this review, I chose to keep it as clean as possible. Check it out to see what other hostile comeback responses Zits responds with.

As a future high school English teacher, I am a little reluctant to use this book during the beginning of my career because of the crude language used at times, but I would definitely recommend this book to all tenured teachers who want to share endless conversations about adolescent behavior.

For those readers out there that just want to curl up with an engaging quality read, I recommend this book to you as well.

I would like to start this review by saying I am usually skeptical of reviews. Alot of times I find reviews either for books or movies, overly praising or overly critical. That being said, it is a bit hypocritical for me to be writing an overly praisey review, but unfortunatly, I will have to. From the start of the book, and Alexie's first line, the reader is drawn into this strange, violent and angry world the protagonist lives in. "Call me Zits," 10 letters that set the stage for this story to unfold, and here unfold really is what this story does as Zit's jumps from body to body through time learning about the human condition.
This book is filled with lots of graphic language and images of violence, but is appropriate for any audience as it is at heart, the story of a lonley, confused arkward (sp) teen- and while that maybe seem a cliched image and topic to write a novel on, Alexie has done it quite well with interesting situations, characters with depth who move in unexpected ways, even for themselves and often times humourous dialouge and observations. A good, fast read that will stay with a reader for a far longer time than just after its finished.

This book was a lot of fun and if you'd have told me the subject matter I probably would have passed. But Alexie does a fantastic job of making a teenage boy the narrator in various bodies in some pretty horrendous situations. But the simple, funny attitude and language of the narrator diffuses the harshness of the scenes.

I think this book is novel and bright and like nothing I've ever read. It is educational and mind-shifting while at the same time being totally accessible.

I have pretty much loved everything that I've read of Sherman Alexie's. He is absolutely brilliant, and his latest work is no exception. I found out about this book from a recent NPR interview with Mr. Alexie and bought it the next day. In a few short days, I was finished with it.

I'm not sure that it would have had such a strong impact on me if it hadn't been for the recent incident at VT. Such an event is difficult to make sense of, but reading this book about a person who justifies random murders in his head is eerily similar to what happened. Is killing ever all right? How many things do we justify to ourselves that may be in the scheme of things really unjustifiable?

What I was really in need of after something so awful was hope. This book helps give the reader hope that people can change; people can realize their mistakes and undo the brainwashing they have done to themselves.

In the end, a little bit of hope goes a long way, and this wonderfully written and insightful book manages to give just that. Please read it!!!

Great book. Alexie is very skilled in weaving history, tragedy, comedy and current issues into unique American design. I won't go into the plot and the themes, I'll just say that this book and every book I've read from Sherman Alexie is entertaining, important and well worth reading.

I've been reading Alexie's work lately and reading FLIGHT has lead me to be even more enthusiastic about his writing. His words suck you into the emotion of the main character, Zits, and takes you with him on his journey to find his identity as a foster, 21st century Indian boy. As a pre-service English teacher, I thought of how this book would be responded to in a high school classroom. Despite some of the provocative language (which really is a minute factor) used in certain situations, this is a great text to expose to high school students with its ability to raise topics for discussion and controversial issues that expand further than just adolescent identity.
A big aspect of FLIGHT is the idea of the 21st century Indian which has been a talked about issue recently. There are so may subjects and controversies packed into Alexie's book that it's possible to find a deeper meaning within each one of his words. I highly recommend this text to any high school student or adult.

For avid Alexie readers, this book merely shows off his talent in a slightly different arena; fantasy fiction. Although 'Reservation Blues' includes some fantasy writing, 'Flight' is, by far, Alexie's most fantasy laden novel. It remains different than his typical stuff.

This book was a fantastic adventure. This having been my first experienc with Sherman Alexie i wasn't quite sure what to expect. what i found was a suprisingly funny and lovable main character whose very soul is shaken to the core after his experinece of being juggled from foster home to foster home. Alexie really gets to the crux of what happens to an innocent kid who falls through the cracks of the system when his parents have either abandoned him or are ripped out from underneath him. This book made me laugh out loud, cry, and really think about the place and priority (or lack thereof) of children in the foster care system, especially those who are of a minority. Brilliant book, simply billiant!

As I turned each page, I found that Flight by Sherman Alexie was only getting odder and more interesting. His main character "Zits" was experiencing every stereotypical feeling that adolescents are notorious of encountering. The interesting point is when Zits comes to his realizations, and his maturity on his own. Alexie's character is able to reason and draw conclusions from the information that he is given, a sign that he is on his way to adulthood.
As far as teen readers, I feel that they will easily be able to identify with Zits. Just like many teens, Zits suffers from acne, low self esteem and a sense that he doesn't fit in. Zits gets passed from foster home to foster home, each step of the way feeling worse about the world. Akin to Zits, some students are coming to realize that they hold responsibilities in the world, their mortality and coming to grasp their own morality.

Although I found the book to be relative to adolescents, and interesting to read, I was ultimately disappointed with the ending. I feel that the "happily ever after" ending ruined all of the soul searching that Zits had done. Alexie hands Zits his future on a platter, perfect and happy. I think that many students will find it to be a cop out as well. For me, the book would have been more effective if Alexie had let the future of Zits be unknown or if he had to work hard to change his ways, showing that he really taught himself a lesson.

As a pre-service English teacher, I am sure this book would not be high on a curriculum's "to-do" list, simply because of some of the graphic images and curses. On the other hand, every curse in this book can be heard, at one time or another, coming out of the mouths of teenagers, and most likely in the buses, hallways, and playing fields of our schools. Sherman Alexie's "Flight" is a realistic glimpse into the toilsome life of an orphan teenager, and although the book takes the reader on a fantasy-fueled journey, it speaks to every adolescent who has ever felt alone, angry, different, confused, and unhappy.

What can't there be said about this book? If you want a book that sugar-coats language and hides hard-hitting issues, do not pick up "Flight" by, Sherman Alexie. However, if you enjoy reading real teen issues and are not resistant to language, (even profanities) then this book is definitely for you.

Alexie does a fantastic job in creating a teen who faces many problems that many teenagers today can relate to while also using language that many teens are accustomed to. The character "Zits" is the poster child for everything that can go wrong for a teenager in today's world while still maintaining an amazing sense of humor. His telling of the story and constant interruption of thoughts has readers literally "laughing out loud."

Open-minded adults and kids everywhere will most definitely enjoy this book!

Another must read by Sherman Alexie. Having read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian previous to Flight, I had very high standards for this young adult novel. Of course his wit and humor live up to his previous works and the truth is painfully exposed in the manor it should be. Honestly and directly. Violence and pain are themes both prevalent in Native American history and Alexie's work. Every aspect of the book spoke to me bright sarcastic humor (just my style) and although I found the book a very quick and easy read, I will surely read it again for its humor and moral content.

Flight by Sherman Alexie is a story about a troubled young man named "Zits". "Zits" is a fifteen year old orphan who is part Indian. He is constantly getting himself into all sorts of trouble and bounces from foster home to foster home until he takes a magical journey which teaches him about himself, his quest for identity and his need for love.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for those looking to read a fiction novel. As a future English teacher, I would consider teaching this book to my students because of its many themes. Also, it is the type of story that would draw students in and possibly even relate to. I would not recommend teachings this novel until tenured because there are some sections which have graphic content and language.

Flight starts out strong with a narrator, Zits, whose cynicism and penchant for philosophy are dead on for a teenager trying to make sense of the world and of himself. Zits is on a quest for identity, empathy, compassion, and a little wisdom. But first he must come to terms with his desire for revenge against a world that treats him as a problem to be solved rather than a person to be loved. Throughout, Zits is charming, endearing, and funny.

However, the moment the time-traveling and body-hopping begins, the book slows to a crawl. Rather than pushing the narrative forward, these devices act as self-contained, motionless lessons about the cyclical nature of violence and the impact of history on the present. Zits is essentially passive through these episodes, with only the smallest ability to exercise his own will while some hidden god-like entity forces information into his eyes and empathy into his heart. Instead of acting to learn about these things on his own, understanding is essentially downloaded into him. And since the narrator is passive throughout all of this, the reader feels passive as well. The story becomes dull.

Worst is that the book implies that if the people in our society who are horribly disenfranchised could only understand the historical contexts (both societal and personal) that have made them disenfranchised, they'd stop being so angry and bitter about it, and may try to restart their lives with a new name and a new attitude. This is then topped off when Zits (again as if he's being manipulated by a divine force) lands in a foster home with a family that finally seems like they want to love and take care of him. When this happens, the reader is happy for Zits, and there's no question that this is what Zits deserve, but at the same time it's uncertain whether or not this is something he has earned or achieved, or if he's just gotten lucky. And if it is luck or heavenly will that lands him there, then what is the lesson for people who feel the world, God, and Fate never cut them a break? What does that say about the nature of justice?

Still, the book is not awful. It is well written and the pages turn quickly. Anyone (and teenagers in particular) will enjoy and benefit from Zits's philosophizing about everything from the nature of obscenity to the righteousness of revenge.

This book is a personal favorite of mine. Sherman Alexie never ceases to surprise, entertain, or inform me. This story is a fictional work that brings much needed attention to several issues including but not limited to race, class, child abuse, the astonishing rate of alcoholism in native Americans, the struggle many foster children face on a daily basis, the ability of people to be indifferent, as well as their incredible capacity to care. This book took me through every range of emotion, and yes, big sap that I am, I did cry at the end.

I think that this is the most successful of Alexie's novels. It is brief and sticks close to the functional necessities.

Zits is a character that undergoes a great amount of growth via a strange series of events that ensue once he has become 'unstuck in time.' The book may be brutal for those with sensitive tastes. I am Native American and appreciated the straightforwardness. It ain't new age. I did let my 13 year-old read it, but she's sophisticated and Indian too. ;-)

I was especially happy with the binding and price - Alexie isn't really a $26 hardcover kind of a guy...and neither am I.

Poets are often wonderful writers of short fiction, but they don't always transition well to the novel. I think this, generally, applies to Sherman Alexie.

I've been a fan of his since the beginning, but the only novel of his I really cared for was Reservation Blues. I give him credit for experimenting with genre in Indian Killer, but even he admitted in an interview in the Writer that he wasn't that successful with it.

Flight is an interesting concept, and the happy ending is a nice twist, but to me it felt a bit "dashed off." In fact, unlike another reviewer, what I found most lacking was the depth and poetic language I have come to expect from Alexie.

What bothered me the most, though, was his inaccurate treatment of history. Because it came so early on, it almost ruined the entire reading experience for me. I hate to play the role of the white gal who out-Indians the Indians on their history, but there are some things that anyone who has read at least one book about Crazy Horse and/or The Little Bighorn would know. 1) LBH was not a trap set by the Indians for the cavalry. It was the Battle of the Rosebud, 8 days prior, where the Indians surprised Crook. At LBH it was the Indians who were taken by surprise. 2) Crazy Horse was not bayoneted in the belly, as was stated twice. Whether or not it was purely accident is controversial, but he partially fell back onto the bayonet which pierced his kidney. This may seem like nit picking to some, but if one is going to write about going back in time, it's a little sloppy not to get the details right,and I found it particularly disappointing from a writer of this caliber. I also wasn't too nuts about the depiction of Custer as the egotistical maniac who thought that LBH would launch him to the presidency, only because it was too simplistic and it's been done-to-death, but I can let that go in that this was not meant to be a history of Custer or LBH, but a novel.

In the world of publishing today, poetry and short story collections aren't big sellers . In order to get their collections published, writers are often pressured into promising a future novel, and I sense this may have been one of those. For that reason, I hope Flight sells loads of copies and Alexie can return to what he does best--poetry and short fiction.

Alexie continues to challenge pre-concieved notions regarding native american culture as it exists today. His honesty and passion are evident throughout his works, The "flight" of existential reality depicted in this work provides a window into the reality of what is twenty-first century america for native americans. It is a soul-searching read.

I have been a fan of Sherman Alexie since I read "Reservation Blues" several years ago. He is a great story teller. "Flight " is a beautiful, sad, funny and thought provoking tale all in one. The concept is pure genius!

I really liked this book because there wasn't a group of main characters to focus on with one steady plot there were lots of different and new characters! It was a really good book that was different to anything else I have read before and I thought that made it stand out. This was overall a very good book and I loved reading it.

This book has been one of the most influential to my life as a mixed blood native person and as a teacher. It is poignant but it doesn't stew in the misery; it reflects on our story and the possibilities we have as individuals and as native peoples.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know there is a GREAT event coming up almost a week away in New York City. The American Place Theatre's Festival: Literature to Life is performing a theatrical adaptation of FLIGHT by Sherman Alexie on September 21st, 2008. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to see this moving piece of literature come to life. Here's the information and can't wait to see you there!

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I disagree with the positive reviews. This reads like a poorly written YA novel. The characters are painted with a broad, stereotypical brush and not portrayed with enough detail too make them authentic. The events are tired - How many times is he going to write about Custer's Last Stand and the Ghost Dance? The resolution is overly sappy, as the poor zit covered outcast is saved by not just a goodnik cop, but also a fireman and his beautiful, kind wife. Sheesh.

I wasn't sure about this book at first, it seemed too broad and unfocused. But Alexie makes it work and he is even more of a genius by doing it in less than 200 pages. I'd recommend it to anyone with imagination and a sense of humor who isn't easily discouraged.

This book should be required reading for people working with kids at risk. Language runs to profanity, but tells life as it is for many Foster children or kids from dysfunctional families. It jumps through time showing both sides of racial issues. Good read.

This book seems like a weekend writing assignment, or perhaps an exercise to see if he could write from the perspective of a troubled, mostly-homeless kid, for someone as talented as Alexie. The character is mildly interesting, but it's the Alexie gift of prose and of switching effortlessly and humorously between the real and the imagined that keeps this book going.

My book club selection for this month has gotten rave reviews and I for one do not get it. In my opinion the book was written for a YA audience - even though that is not how the publisher marketed it. I felt like I was exposed to lots of violence for no reason at all. Unlike Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the author here does not add anything to my level of understanding. An interesting discussion at my book club revolved around the question: is violence ever justified?
Not a book I'd recommend.

This is just another one of many horrible books chosen to be read in schools now. It angers me that with all of the classic novels out there that in my freshman year of college I was forced to read this crap. I guess its because its closer to everyone's reading level and they can say its "edgy" because it uses swear words. This novel is closer to a bad episode of Law and Order than The Catcher in the Rye.
I have always enjoyed time travel so this book seemed okay at first but it quickly became one of my least favorite books that I have ever read. It just seemed pointless. Zits was annoying as a character and you never seemed to really care about him. He is an abuse victim but its so over the top that its kinda amusing. (I mean 30 something foster homes and they were all THAT bad?) This novel is just a combination of cliche story telling and bad characterization. The whole thing happens way too quickly and Zits goes from one extreme to another. One minute he is about to kill innocent people then throughout pointless travels he decides not to. Just stay away from this novel!

P.s.
For a Native American author, Sherman Alexie sure does like to present Indian stereotypes left and right. Just about every Native American character is shown as a drunk, dumb, or just plain bad.

I had to buy and read this book for a class on Native American Literature, as soon as book buy back starts I will be taking it back. This book is extremely violent and does portray a lot of native american stereotypes. I was told in class that Sherman A. was supposed to be funny and really whitty, but I found this book to be none of those things. I read the first few chapters and I basically said screw it. After he was thinking about killing the people in the bank I had enough. I skipped to end and it still sounded like he was thinking about being violent. It also reflects badly on social workers (like myself) and foster parents. Of course there are going to be bad foster families and bad social workers, but I find it very hard to believe that every single family and social worker he had was that bad. Even the depiction of the social worker was wrong, in what world would a social worker ever talk to a kid about finding his place by wearing a tie and suit. Sorry I know for certain that no social worker would talk like that, I would never talk to a child like that. If you don't like violence don't read this book.

Wow. I was thoroughly enjoying the audio version of this book until, about 54 minutes in, I hear Zits talking about how much fun it would be to shoot people he hates, like George Bush and Dick Cheney. In one motion, Mr. Alexie stoops to trite, superficial, and oh-so-cliche political bashing, alienating half of his audience in the process. I also think that, even though I was only a short distance into the book, that line really seemed forced and out of character for Zits. I'm not particularly political or partisan but this just seemed so gratuitous and unnecessary. I just turned off the CD, took a deep cleansing breath, and moved on to the next book on my list. Very disappointing.