Customer Reviews

Breathe the Sky: A Novel Inspired by the Life of Amelia Earhart

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As other reviewers keenly noted, Breathe the Sky mixes historical accuracy with beautiful imagery. Prasad brings Amelia Earhart to life through detailed accounts of A.E.'s ambition and intimate relationships. Though A.E. is surrounded by people who admire and love her, she is always very much her own entity. She takes care of her mother and sister financially and emotionally, as A.E. believes is her duty. Her husband, G.P., is also her publicist; he wants her to be both successful and settled down. She declined his proposals for years, before finally agreeing to be married. In the first half, Prasad follows A.E. through her career and sets the stage for A.E.'s famous flight. Then the latter half allows the reader to experience the flight around the world as it might have unfolded. The narrator delves more closely into A.E.'s thoughts and fancies. In the final hours of the flight, time seems to suspend, and showcases some of the strongest writing in the novel. An enjoyable read!

I would describe reading this book as a flawless flight. The first two chapters set the tone and take care of the requisite safety checks, but from there this novel quickly ascends into adventure. While catching fleeting glimpses of the world below, we are offered an in-depth conversation with our pilot, Amelia Earhart.

I must admit, I was especially impressed by the ending of this novel. The historical conclusion of Earhart's life may be inconclusive and fraught with debate, yet Prasad's ending still felt fresh and convincing--a smooth landing after a perfect ride.

As a child, I read every book I could find about famous women and heroes. Amelia Earhart was one of those women, and though the books years ago were fairly dry biographies, she was then such an inspiration. What a delight it was to read about her fleshed out into a real woman and still a hero. Without getting too much into the story, it is a book that gives one just enough insight into her young years and influenced her actions as an adult. Her life, while filled with adulation and fame, was not easy or pretty in some ways, and it is this attention to personal detail that sets Prasad's book apart from others. She manages to bring Earhart to life, and draws you in as close as one can to a bigger than life figure. As a reader, it seemed as if I was as close to Earhart as many in her life. This is a story without unnecessary words and gestures that would only get in the way of its telling, much like extra baggage would get in the way of a historic flight. I get the feeling that Earhart would smile and nod in agreement that Prasad has pulled back the cockpit curtain just enough to give us the the very essence of Amelia.

Back in October 2007, I was lucky enough to participate in a book tour for Chandra Prasad's novel On Borrowed Wings. Prior to reading Ms. Prasad's latest novel, I didn't know much about Amelia Earhart. But knowing Ms. Prasad's writing talent from reading On Borrowed Wings, I knew I was in for a treat with Breathe The Sky. To say I was not wrong would be an understatement as Breathe The Sky is simply, well, breathtaking. Ms. Prasad has put a human face and story on what was a stale historical figure for me. Keeping in mind that this is "neither biography or historical document," (Author's Note in the back of the book) it is still a compelling peek into the mind of our most famous female aviatrix as Ms. Prasad explores Earhart's life from a 6 year old child in complete awe of her father to her complex relationship with her husband and mentor, publishing magnate George Putnam. From beginning to end, I was fascinated by Earhart's unique story and truly believe you will be too. Ms. Prasad is one of our generation's greatest writers and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

This was a decent read, but it didn't have me in awe... I enjoyed Prasad's interpretation of Amelia's life and feelings. She gives readers a fictional, but as historically accurate as possible look at the stressful life of America's most famed and mysterious aviatrix. Amelia is portrayed as very determined. She does not let much stand in her way. She seems to disregard her own life and safety, yet at the same time, she is taking care of others, namely her mother and sister. Despite the fame, adulation, and awards the record breaking woman receives, one cannot help but feel sorry for her. Amelia doesn't do it for the fame. She doesn't do it for the money. She does it for "the fun of it." Towards the end of her life, this novel shows us that maybe she didn't want fame, that the press was getting on her nerves and there were far too many obligations put on her. In between the lines, I see a very stressed and unhappy woman.

The novel tells just a bit about Amelia's childhood. I would have liked more about her younger years and her love of flying. How did she obtain this interest? In a time in which women were not widely accepted in the sky, what prejudices did she deal with? There was very little about that. Mostly the book covers the beginnings of her fame and the last half is dedicated to her attempt at flying around the world. It sums up her and Fred Noonan's destinations, mechanical difficulties, sickness, and different foods they eat in different places. Something I didn't like was the vagueness of time. One page she is visiting G.P. and his wife, a few pages later they are married.. When did this happen? I would have like more details of her personal life.

One other thing I did not like is the references to Amelia as A.E. It threw me off quite a bit because it is supposed to be a novel and I think Amelia has a more personal feel than A.E. It is one thing to refer to her husband as G.P. as very little about the book focuses on him, but Amelia is the star...

Despite its flaws, I recommend it to aviation buffs, namely women.

This is an exceptional work. I have been following Prasad's work since a few years ago - Death of a Circus was a page turner as are all other of her publications. Her writing makes one's heart race every time. The Breathe the Sky is no different.

From the early pages on, you will not be able to put the book down. This A.E. story not only puts a lot of new spins on her life, but also tells this is a way that would make you reach for this book many times over. Any time you need goose bumps or a "rush" you would re-read parts about the amazing flights and certainly the the final scene; every time you need inspiration and a reminder of how strong human beings are you would glance through the parts about A.E's first crash and her never-bending-will to succeed. You will read this book many time over to enjoy it again and again.

What makes this book so good is the pace, the language, the storytelling. You will not put it down until the story is over. What a treat!

Having been more than a fan of Chandra Prasad's first novel, On Borrowed Wings, I have waited for the opportunity to read her newest book, "Breathe The Sky". I was not disappointed. Prasad has removed Amelia Earhart from the dry pedestal history has placed her on and has instead explored the woman within the historical figure - a complex woman with passion and determination. I was unable to put the book down as I was drawn into the drama of A.E.'s life. The relentless stream of speaking engagements Amelia had to endure to support her love of flight and competition were just some of the sacrifices she endured. The last leg of the final flight came to life so vividly for me that I could almost feel myself in the cockpit and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to discover what would happen next. Of course we don't know the actual ending, but Prasad has once again made me a believer. Thank you for the gift of your writing.

Breathe the Sky turns one of America's greatest heroines into a person I can embrace. Written in her trademark poetic prose, Prasad transported Amelia from the 1930s to my home, my thoughts and my dreams. Thank you, Chandra Prasad, for bringing Amelia back to life.

I have long been a fan of Amelia Earhart and her achievements, and how she made a space for women where there really hadn't been one before; so when I got a chance to read this book I was very happy. Like many others I'm sure the story in this book took me further into Amelia's life and gave me an ending that was inspiring, just like all her other achievements.

The way it was written gave new insights into Amelia's character and how she lived and breathed - in the sky, and under it. Once I started reading I couldn't stop and I finished the book in two sittings, stopped only by the need to sleep. I don't want to talk too much about what I learned because I think everyone should read this book and discover their own insights and have the enjoyment of reading a fresh take on a life that you might think you know.

From the first page to the last it kept me reading, so I strongly recommend you do the same. You have much enjoyment ahead of you.

Breathe the Sky is a novel based on the life of a woman who refused to quit anything she started. But her great qualities didn't help Amelia Earhart reach the final goal of completing her flight around the world. Her instinct which she thought would save her life in a pinch didn't come through in the end. Chandra Prasad has given a realistic account of the last leg of her fateful flight, making the reader want to turn the page over and find out how it must have ended.