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Airport
This is a fictional story-fast paced, exciting, richly textured with memorable characters. Lincoln International Airport calls itself Aviation Crossroads of the World. Yet those with inside knowledge are aware of grave deficiencies. Operational areas are outmoded to the point of danger; air traffic control is overtaxed; the supposedly-modern glass and chrome main terminal has become a whited sepulcher. Against this background is set a dramatic, behind-scenes story of seven eventful airport hours during a mid-winter snowstorm, and of the men and women-with pressures, passions and problems of their own. You will Joe Patroni, cocky and genial airline maintenance chief, striving to clear a disabled aircraft from an urgently needed runway; Air Traffic Controller Keith Bakersjeld, suffering stress, and conscience stricken by the memory of an air disaster for which he was responsible; Tanya Livingston, passenger relations agent whose suspicions, triggered by a sharp-eyed Customs Inspector, reveal an unsuspected crisis; Captain Vernon Demerest, arrogant, admired by women, and despising "ground bound penguins," especially Airport Commissioners; Elliot Free mantle, crusading lawyer, leading a group of home owners incensed by airport noise; Ada Quonsett, a prim old lady who explains her so-easy techniques as an aerial stowaway; D. O. Guerrero, a psychotic with a homemade bomb ... and many others. Arthur Hailey has employed the same multi-plot technique which he used so successfully in Hotel and The Final Diagnosis. And, as usual, he has written an engrossing, enjoyable tale, packed with little-known and fascinating How, for example, smugglers trip themselves up with Customs; the way in which stewardess pregnancy programs work; what is an airport "Conga Line;" how much an airline will pay on the spot for a damaged luggage claim; and why airport insurance booths are hated by airline pilots ... But the true-hero of this novel is the Airport.
440 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1968
1611 people are currently reading
10180 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Hailey
94 books766 followersArthur Hailey was a British/Canadian novelist. After working at a number of jobs and writing part-time, he became a writer full-time during 1956, encouraged by the success of the CBC television drama, Flight into Danger (in print as
Runway Zero Eight
). Following the success of Hotel in 1965, he moved to California; followed by a permanent move to the Bahamas in 1969.
Each of his novels has a different industrial or commercial setting and includes, in addition to dramatic human conflict, carefully researched information about the way that particular environment and system functions and how these affect society and its inhabitants.
Critics often dismissed Hailey's success as the result of a formulaic "potboiler" style, in which he caused an ordinary character to become involved in a crisis, then increased the suspense by switching among multiple related plot lines.
Hailey would spend approximately one year researching a subject, followed by six months reviewing his notes and, finally, about 18 months writing the book.
Many of his books reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and more than 170 million copies have been sold worldwide in 40 languages. Many have been made into movies and Hotel was made into a long-running television series. Airport became a successful film with dramatic visual effects.
A Canadian citizen whose children live in Canada and California, Hailey made his home in Lyford Cay, an exclusive residential resort on New Providence Island in the Bahamas with his second wife Sheila.
In 2002, Hailey told John Marquis, editor of the Bahamas' principal daily newspaper The Tribune, that he was lucky in having supportive parents who encouraged him to believe in himself. Brought up in a working-class home, Hailey never lost the common touch following his phenomenal success. 'I have worked hard, but I have also been very lucky,' he said.
Each of his novels has a different industrial or commercial setting and includes, in addition to dramatic human conflict, carefully researched information about the way that particular environment and system functions and how these affect society and its inhabitants.
Critics often dismissed Hailey's success as the result of a formulaic "potboiler" style, in which he caused an ordinary character to become involved in a crisis, then increased the suspense by switching among multiple related plot lines.
Hailey would spend approximately one year researching a subject, followed by six months reviewing his notes and, finally, about 18 months writing the book.
Many of his books reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and more than 170 million copies have been sold worldwide in 40 languages. Many have been made into movies and Hotel was made into a long-running television series. Airport became a successful film with dramatic visual effects.
A Canadian citizen whose children live in Canada and California, Hailey made his home in Lyford Cay, an exclusive residential resort on New Providence Island in the Bahamas with his second wife Sheila.
In 2002, Hailey told John Marquis, editor of the Bahamas' principal daily newspaper The Tribune, that he was lucky in having supportive parents who encouraged him to believe in himself. Brought up in a working-class home, Hailey never lost the common touch following his phenomenal success. 'I have worked hard, but I have also been very lucky,' he said.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 914 reviews
February 7, 2017
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
John Donne
No airport was an island either.
This book was first published in 1968. Clearly much has changed in aviation management in the last 49 years and readers must take this into account. For me, knowing as little as I do about airport management or piloting a commercial aircraft, what stood out the most was the changes in security protocol. It is no longer possible for people who are not ticketed passengers to get on board a commercial aircraft prior to takeoff and the security protocols for passengers and their luggage is much more rigid. With this in mind I believe this novel has weathered the passage of time well.
To set the scene:
A major blizzard has blanketed Lincoln International Airport and is currently wreaking havoc with all arrivals and departures. Their longest and widest runway is currently blocked by an Aereo Mexican 707 whose pilot yinged when he should have yanged, its landing gear currently mired in the now freezing mud. All available maintenance personnel are being directed to this problem which is putting undue strain on air traffic control. Little do they know that the one chief they are waiting on to expeditiously solve this dilemma is stuck in a traffic jam created by a jack knifed tractor trailer, still miles from the airport.
The whole airport was reeling from the roughest storm they had seen in many a year. It had been raging for 3 days now and there was still no end in sight, making snow removal from all runways and parking lots an ever increasing maintenance burden.
A United Air Lines food truck was lost out there somewhere, presumably snowbound, in the airport perimeter and so far all efforts to locate it had failed.
In the main passenger terminal there were thousands of disgruntled passengers from delayed or cancelled flights. Baggage was stacked in piles everywhere and still the people kept coming. Air Line ticket agents, like most all service personnel, were being unfairly harassed by surly passengers, even though they were doing their their level best to satisfy and accommodate..
The blocked runway necessitated redirecting outbound flights to an alternate runway rarely utilized these days owing to the fact that it meant air traffic ascending directly overhead a community called Meadowood and due to the inclement weather most pilots were not adhering to noise abatement procedures. While perfectly understandable from a safety perspective, the noise complaints were already pouring in.
Mel Bakersfeld, the airport general manager, was juggling many different priorities tonight not the least of which was his wife’s insistence that he join her at some social event in the city. His reluctance to leave the airport and do so was putting an unprecedented strain on a marriage that was already coming apart at the seams.
Mel’s brother in law, Vernon Demerest, a senior pilot, was another thorn in Mel’s side. Captain Demerest was already making noise and stirring the pot about inefficient snow removal practices. Vernon was at the airport early tonight in preparation for his flight on The Golden Argosy, Trans America’s prestige flight to Rome.
D.O. Gurerrero is a man defeated, a man on the edge of a precipice. He has lost his home and is currently in a run down flat and he still can’t make the rent. His wife is working her feet and fingers to the bone trying valiantly to bridge the financial gap and once more D.O has failed. But this time he has a plan. He has taken everything of value and every last dollar to his name to finance a trip to Rome on board TWA’s Golden Argosy. The last money remaining in his pocket is just enough to purchase flight insurance. He has no luggage and no return ticket. He holds his attache case close to his chest with the tripwire playing over his fingers. He means to ensure his wife and children need never worry about money again.
Meanwhile in air traffic control we have Keith, who is battling his own inner demons, harbouring suicidal thoughts and teetering on the edge of his very own abyss.
Arthur Hailey’s Airport delivers in spades, with tense human drama, and a full cast of vibrant, memorable characters. It all takes place over several pulse pounding hours as Hailey deftly brings all the many elements together in an ending that will have you holding onto the edge of your seat.
John Donne
No airport was an island either.
This book was first published in 1968. Clearly much has changed in aviation management in the last 49 years and readers must take this into account. For me, knowing as little as I do about airport management or piloting a commercial aircraft, what stood out the most was the changes in security protocol. It is no longer possible for people who are not ticketed passengers to get on board a commercial aircraft prior to takeoff and the security protocols for passengers and their luggage is much more rigid. With this in mind I believe this novel has weathered the passage of time well.
To set the scene:
A major blizzard has blanketed Lincoln International Airport and is currently wreaking havoc with all arrivals and departures. Their longest and widest runway is currently blocked by an Aereo Mexican 707 whose pilot yinged when he should have yanged, its landing gear currently mired in the now freezing mud. All available maintenance personnel are being directed to this problem which is putting undue strain on air traffic control. Little do they know that the one chief they are waiting on to expeditiously solve this dilemma is stuck in a traffic jam created by a jack knifed tractor trailer, still miles from the airport.
The whole airport was reeling from the roughest storm they had seen in many a year. It had been raging for 3 days now and there was still no end in sight, making snow removal from all runways and parking lots an ever increasing maintenance burden.
A United Air Lines food truck was lost out there somewhere, presumably snowbound, in the airport perimeter and so far all efforts to locate it had failed.
In the main passenger terminal there were thousands of disgruntled passengers from delayed or cancelled flights. Baggage was stacked in piles everywhere and still the people kept coming. Air Line ticket agents, like most all service personnel, were being unfairly harassed by surly passengers, even though they were doing their their level best to satisfy and accommodate..
The blocked runway necessitated redirecting outbound flights to an alternate runway rarely utilized these days owing to the fact that it meant air traffic ascending directly overhead a community called Meadowood and due to the inclement weather most pilots were not adhering to noise abatement procedures. While perfectly understandable from a safety perspective, the noise complaints were already pouring in.
Mel Bakersfeld, the airport general manager, was juggling many different priorities tonight not the least of which was his wife’s insistence that he join her at some social event in the city. His reluctance to leave the airport and do so was putting an unprecedented strain on a marriage that was already coming apart at the seams.
Mel’s brother in law, Vernon Demerest, a senior pilot, was another thorn in Mel’s side. Captain Demerest was already making noise and stirring the pot about inefficient snow removal practices. Vernon was at the airport early tonight in preparation for his flight on The Golden Argosy, Trans America’s prestige flight to Rome.
D.O. Gurerrero is a man defeated, a man on the edge of a precipice. He has lost his home and is currently in a run down flat and he still can’t make the rent. His wife is working her feet and fingers to the bone trying valiantly to bridge the financial gap and once more D.O has failed. But this time he has a plan. He has taken everything of value and every last dollar to his name to finance a trip to Rome on board TWA’s Golden Argosy. The last money remaining in his pocket is just enough to purchase flight insurance. He has no luggage and no return ticket. He holds his attache case close to his chest with the tripwire playing over his fingers. He means to ensure his wife and children need never worry about money again.
Meanwhile in air traffic control we have Keith, who is battling his own inner demons, harbouring suicidal thoughts and teetering on the edge of his very own abyss.
Arthur Hailey’s Airport delivers in spades, with tense human drama, and a full cast of vibrant, memorable characters. It all takes place over several pulse pounding hours as Hailey deftly brings all the many elements together in an ending that will have you holding onto the edge of your seat.
February 13, 2021
Nail biting suspense and a cracking good story.
Airport was a huge bestseller in 1968 and firmly established Arthur Hailey as one of the most successful writers in the world,following the success of Hotel.
An airplane gets stuck in a snowstorm on an airport,blocking a runaway.
Another plane experiences a major crisis in midair as a desperate man with a bomb tries to destroy it.
Meanwhile,an elderly woman who is a stowaway can help foil his plan.
The plane needs to land but the runway is blocked. An air traffic controller grapples with the demons of his past and the stresses of his job,recalling a midair collision on his watch.
The airport's general manager is in the thick of the action as he deals with multiple crisis.
An airline captain already faced with issues in his personal life has to try and save the troubled aircraft. Each of the subplots is intriguing in its own right.
It all comes together in a compelling climax.
Airport also became a hugely successful film,with Burt Lancaster in the central role.
A fresh and original idea at the time,Airport spawned a number of vastly inferior similar books and disaster movies.
Airport was a huge bestseller in 1968 and firmly established Arthur Hailey as one of the most successful writers in the world,following the success of Hotel.
An airplane gets stuck in a snowstorm on an airport,blocking a runaway.
Another plane experiences a major crisis in midair as a desperate man with a bomb tries to destroy it.
Meanwhile,an elderly woman who is a stowaway can help foil his plan.
The plane needs to land but the runway is blocked. An air traffic controller grapples with the demons of his past and the stresses of his job,recalling a midair collision on his watch.
The airport's general manager is in the thick of the action as he deals with multiple crisis.
An airline captain already faced with issues in his personal life has to try and save the troubled aircraft. Each of the subplots is intriguing in its own right.
It all comes together in a compelling climax.
Airport also became a hugely successful film,with Burt Lancaster in the central role.
A fresh and original idea at the time,Airport spawned a number of vastly inferior similar books and disaster movies.
March 30, 2023
Terror in the skies
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media
Language: English
ASIN: B00JVCHC36
Amazon.com Sales Rank: 7263
548 pages
One of the progenitors of the disaster novels and movies genre, it is also one of the best. Like many of his novels such as HOTEL and WHEELS, Hailey writes about how things work. So in addition to character development and the disaster/adventure element, there is a plethora of information about airports and aviation. If you have no interest in airports or aviation, this may not be for you. This was published in 1968 before metal detectors and intensive security.
Hailey was disliked by many critics but beloved by readers and Hollywood. Hailey himself had few if any literary pretentions. He called himself a storyteller.
Typically it took Hailey about three years to write a book. A year for research, six months to review his notes and plan and about eighteen months to write. His extensive research is a hallmark of his books.
I've never read a bad Arthur Hailey book.
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media
Language: English
ASIN: B00JVCHC36
Amazon.com Sales Rank: 7263
548 pages
One of the progenitors of the disaster novels and movies genre, it is also one of the best. Like many of his novels such as HOTEL and WHEELS, Hailey writes about how things work. So in addition to character development and the disaster/adventure element, there is a plethora of information about airports and aviation. If you have no interest in airports or aviation, this may not be for you. This was published in 1968 before metal detectors and intensive security.
Hailey was disliked by many critics but beloved by readers and Hollywood. Hailey himself had few if any literary pretentions. He called himself a storyteller.
Typically it took Hailey about three years to write a book. A year for research, six months to review his notes and plan and about eighteen months to write. His extensive research is a hallmark of his books.
I've never read a bad Arthur Hailey book.
November 23, 2024
Страхотен трилър! „Летище“ успява да държи в напрежение за развръзката, но и пренася напълно в атмосферата от края на 60-те години на миналия век, както и увлекателно описва живота на хората, свързани с гражданската авиация. Артър Хейли явно е проучил подробно ежедневието и проблемите при летците и останалите служители, тъй като е създал много реалистична история и интересни персонажи…
На полет за Рим се качва откачен самоубиец, който е решил да взриви самолета, за да получи жена му огромна сума от застраховката… Историята не е представена само от една гледна точка, а съдържа няколко различни сюжетни линии. В нея са описани, както лични житейски драми на героите, така и важни обществени проблеми… За пръв път чета Хейли, но със сигурност ще се запозная и с останалите му романи, защото съм впечатлен от факта, че е отделял значително внимание към детайлите в книгите си!
На полет за Рим се качва откачен самоубиец, който е решил да взриви самолета, за да получи жена му огромна сума от застраховката… Историята не е представена само от една гледна точка, а съдържа няколко различни сюжетни линии. В нея са описани, както лични житейски драми на героите, така и важни обществени проблеми… За пръв път чета Хейли, но със сигурност ще се запозная и с останалите му романи, защото съм впечатлен от факта, че е отделял значително внимание към детайлите в книгите си!
May 10, 2013
Sjajan komercijalni autor ranga Šeldona i sličnih, a sada potpuno zaboravljen... Samo ga se još bibliotekari sećaju i poneki čitalac koji nabasa negde na neku njegovu knjigu... A nekada se čekali u redu po bibliotekama da se dođe do njegovih knjiga... Šteta...
June 9, 2012
Sometimes it's good to come back to old friends.
It's been several decades since I read this last. So much has changed in the aviation business that I'm not sure younger readers would be able to relate to a lot of the details in the story. I'm old enough that I remember being able to go to the gate to see off a family member, or meet someone as they come off of a flight. And when there were empty seats on flights!
This is a great book. Once I started, it was hard to put down. Particularly towards the end when the story arcs come together and the pace changes from the details of running the airport and build towards the emergency at the end.
There are some great details brought out in the book; the way that airport terminals are designed, the noise abatement procedures that airlines have to follow - and the danger they pose. Some of Hailey's predictions have come through, others not so much. He thought that we would have figured out the boarding process by now, and we haven't. There is still a lot of relevance in the details he puts in. The story is well told, and unlike a lot of writers today, Hailey doesn't see the need to complete all of the small story arcs. It leaves the reader wishing that there was a sequel; we want to know more about the characters. Without using any cliffhangers, Hailey has left us satisfied - yet wanting more.
It's been several decades since I read this last. So much has changed in the aviation business that I'm not sure younger readers would be able to relate to a lot of the details in the story. I'm old enough that I remember being able to go to the gate to see off a family member, or meet someone as they come off of a flight. And when there were empty seats on flights!
This is a great book. Once I started, it was hard to put down. Particularly towards the end when the story arcs come together and the pace changes from the details of running the airport and build towards the emergency at the end.
There are some great details brought out in the book; the way that airport terminals are designed, the noise abatement procedures that airlines have to follow - and the danger they pose. Some of Hailey's predictions have come through, others not so much. He thought that we would have figured out the boarding process by now, and we haven't. There is still a lot of relevance in the details he puts in. The story is well told, and unlike a lot of writers today, Hailey doesn't see the need to complete all of the small story arcs. It leaves the reader wishing that there was a sequel; we want to know more about the characters. Without using any cliffhangers, Hailey has left us satisfied - yet wanting more.
December 18, 2022
Коли я була студенткою і ми мали на урок англійської кожного семестру читати книгу in English та писати на неї review, я добре пам’ятаю, що декілька людей читали саме цю книгу. Я просто переконана, що вони брали адаптований варіант. По-перше об’єм, а по-друге, таку кількість авіаційної лексики жодний студент економічного просто не витримає.
Я ніколи не читала книги, де аеропорт слугував би не місцем розгортання основних чи другорядних подій, а повноцінною дійовою особою. Таку кількість інформації, яку ви тут знайдете про внутрішню кухню аеропорту, ще спробуй знайти в якійсь нехудожній книзі! А кількість персонажів! В романі так людно, що направду відчуваєш себе, наче в аеропорту.
Мені насправді цікаво, наскільки змінився порядок речей з 1968 року (ну, так нахабно літати «зайцем», як робила та бабуся, зараз вже точно неможливо), та я вражена масштабами опрацьованого! Сподіваюся, «Готель» буде настільки ж детальною та закрученою історією.
Я ніколи не читала книги, де аеропорт слугував би не місцем розгортання основних чи другорядних подій, а повноцінною дійовою особою. Таку кількість інформації, яку ви тут знайдете про внутрішню кухню аеропорту, ще спробуй знайти в якійсь нехудожній книзі! А кількість персонажів! В романі так людно, що направду відчуваєш себе, наче в аеропорту.
Мені насправді цікаво, наскільки змінився порядок речей з 1968 року (ну, так нахабно літати «зайцем», як робила та бабуся, зараз вже точно неможливо), та я вражена масштабами опрацьованого! Сподіваюся, «Готель» буде настільки ж детальною та закрученою історією.
February 15, 2018
I read this book years ago when I was a teenager. I re-read it a few years back. The book was just as good as when I read it the first time. It is a wonderful book that is so hard to put down when you start reading it. I also saw the movie and loved it, but I by far enjoyed the book more.
This book made me love Arthur Hailey's writing. He does such a great job with fleshing out his characters and the plotting in his books is wonderful.
Absolutely loved this book.
This book made me love Arthur Hailey's writing. He does such a great job with fleshing out his characters and the plotting in his books is wonderful.
Absolutely loved this book.
March 17, 2007
one of the most wonderful books I've ever read!you can't put it down when you start reading!
November 5, 2025
Arthur Hailey brings a great thriller to readers, in an impressive exploration of life inside a popular international airport in Lincoln, Illinois! As the snow begins to fall, people inside the Lincoln International Airport wait to see what happens. The airport outside Chicago waits to see if the weather reports are true. Soon, a massive blizzard falls around the building and coats runways, creating havoc and sending thousands into a tizzy. The story takes place over a seven-hour period, in which actors from all parts of the airport live their lives and wait to see if things will get moving again. TransAmerica Flight 2, scheduled to fly to Rome, has a dramatic flight crew and a variety of passengers with various end goals, a group seeking to picket the noise emitted from above their homes, and the banter of those who want to arrive on time but must face expected weather delays. As the story progresses, the reader sees all these and many others, including TransAmerica Flt. 2 entering a harrowing situation. All this in an Arthur Hailey novel that has high entertainment value!
Arthur Hailey is an author whose name I am familiar with, but his writing remains a relative mystery. The story presents a great glimpse into the world of airlines and the way an international airport runs during a weather event. The story builds with a variety of narratives about lives of those using or working at the airport. Momentum builds as stories solidify and narratives cross, leaving the reader to bask in the wonders of how pieces will soon come together. Dramatic spins and great storytelling keeps the reader flipping pages and wondering what Arthur Hailey has to offer. The technical language does not leave the reader “scrambling to understand”, but rather eager to be a part of the process.
Characters are impactful as they set about creating their own backstories and development. Readers will enjoy the varied personalities who emerge through the reading experience, through a number of narratives, many of whom flavour things to add new layers to the book. Having these characters come together at different times helps add new depth to the piece, as the reader follows each of the individuals and their varied connections. This made the book all the more real for me and kept me needing to know more with each passing chapter. Hailey knows how to connect his cast with the attentive reader!
Surprises are core in a story of this nature. While the reader can see things beforehand, it is the set if twists from the narrative that add something more to the story. Soon, Hailey has most storylines weave together with a tense truth that everyone saw coming. As the reader waits to see what’s coming down the pipeline, they can enjoy how Hailey seeks to resolve it. Even though the book was written in 1968, it does not lose its impact. Technology can be set aside, though the interactions and plot twists surely stand the test of time. I cannot ain’t to read more from Hailey and his varied topics of interest.
Kudos, Mr. Hailey, for a stunning read!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Arthur Hailey is an author whose name I am familiar with, but his writing remains a relative mystery. The story presents a great glimpse into the world of airlines and the way an international airport runs during a weather event. The story builds with a variety of narratives about lives of those using or working at the airport. Momentum builds as stories solidify and narratives cross, leaving the reader to bask in the wonders of how pieces will soon come together. Dramatic spins and great storytelling keeps the reader flipping pages and wondering what Arthur Hailey has to offer. The technical language does not leave the reader “scrambling to understand”, but rather eager to be a part of the process.
Characters are impactful as they set about creating their own backstories and development. Readers will enjoy the varied personalities who emerge through the reading experience, through a number of narratives, many of whom flavour things to add new layers to the book. Having these characters come together at different times helps add new depth to the piece, as the reader follows each of the individuals and their varied connections. This made the book all the more real for me and kept me needing to know more with each passing chapter. Hailey knows how to connect his cast with the attentive reader!
Surprises are core in a story of this nature. While the reader can see things beforehand, it is the set if twists from the narrative that add something more to the story. Soon, Hailey has most storylines weave together with a tense truth that everyone saw coming. As the reader waits to see what’s coming down the pipeline, they can enjoy how Hailey seeks to resolve it. Even though the book was written in 1968, it does not lose its impact. Technology can be set aside, though the interactions and plot twists surely stand the test of time. I cannot ain’t to read more from Hailey and his varied topics of interest.
Kudos, Mr. Hailey, for a stunning read!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 4, 2022
"Сякаш всяко неспазване на разписанията събужда позадремалия у човека дивашки инстинкт."
"Неизменната вежливост, дори когато си трениран да я поддържаш, те държи в особено напрежение, което се заплаща скъпо."
"— Покойният ми съпруг ме учеше да бъде прецизна. Той беше учител по геометрия. Винаги казваше, че трябва да оглеждам нещата от всеки ъгъл."
"Либи имаше инстинкт към същественото у нещата. Понякога му се струваше, че тя протяга ръчички и събира в тях звездици от истина."
"Съобщенията за полетите събуждаха различни мисли в различните пътници. За някои те бяха нещо обичайно, за други предвещаваха досадни служебни пътувания, които, ако зависеше от тях самите, никога не биха предприели. За трети обявяването на полета разкриваше начало на нова авантюра. За четвърти — краят на такава авантюра и прибиране в къщи. За едни то носеше разлъка и печал, за други — напротив — радости и срещи. Имаше хора, които, слушайки обявленията, не мислеха за себе си — пътуваха техни приятели или роднини, а за тях самите имената на градовете звучаха като несбъднати копнежи по далечни земи, които може би никога нямаше да видят."
"— Но също си мислех, че ако искаш аз да знам, сам ще ми кажеш. Щом като мълчиш, добре, значи не е моя работа. Понякога обаче, ако достатъчно държиш на някого, като брат да речем, ти си длъжен да проявиш интерес към неговите лични неща независимо дали му е приятно, или не."
"Бедата е там, че хората не се променят — поне в това, което в основни линии представляват. Те се приспособяват. Вероятно в това се състои и същността на брака — двама души да се приспособят един към друг."
"Но скоро нейният инстинкт за самосъхранение — синоним на силата на човешкия дух, заложен във всекиго от нас, макар потиснат или пък скромен, — я накара да осъзнае, смътно, разбира се, че трябва да се помръдне, да направи нещо, защото животът се движи, защото животът никога не стои на едно място, колкото и удари да й е нанесъл и колкото и мрачен и безсмислен да изглежда."
"Мисис Куонсет не знаеше дали ще се измъкнат живи от това приключение, но никак не се разтревожи. Каквото и да се случи, тя не искаше да изпуска нито миг."
"Както винаги в случай на беда, хората сърдечно си помагаха един друг, без егоизъм и дори с искрици хумор."
"Милтън Компаньо винаги откликваше за неотложна медицинска помощ. След дългогодишно отлагане сега пътуваше за Рим, родното място на своите родители. Възнамеряваше да прекара с жена си едномесечна пълна почивка. Но той бе уверен, че някъде по пътя, а може би в Италия, независимо че нямаше разрешително за задгранична практика, ще потърсят помощта му. Той бе винаги готов, винаги на поста си."
"Неизменната вежливост, дори когато си трениран да я поддържаш, те държи в особено напрежение, което се заплаща скъпо."
"— Покойният ми съпруг ме учеше да бъде прецизна. Той беше учител по геометрия. Винаги казваше, че трябва да оглеждам нещата от всеки ъгъл."
"Либи имаше инстинкт към същественото у нещата. Понякога му се струваше, че тя протяга ръчички и събира в тях звездици от истина."
"Съобщенията за полетите събуждаха различни мисли в различните пътници. За някои те бяха нещо обичайно, за други предвещаваха досадни служебни пътувания, които, ако зависеше от тях самите, никога не биха предприели. За трети обявяването на полета разкриваше начало на нова авантюра. За четвърти — краят на такава авантюра и прибиране в къщи. За едни то носеше разлъка и печал, за други — напротив — радости и срещи. Имаше хора, които, слушайки обявленията, не мислеха за себе си — пътуваха техни приятели или роднини, а за тях самите имената на градовете звучаха като несбъднати копнежи по далечни земи, които може би никога нямаше да видят."
"— Но също си мислех, че ако искаш аз да знам, сам ще ми кажеш. Щом като мълчиш, добре, значи не е моя работа. Понякога обаче, ако достатъчно държиш на някого, като брат да речем, ти си длъжен да проявиш интерес към неговите лични неща независимо дали му е приятно, или не."
"Бедата е там, че хората не се променят — поне в това, което в основни линии представляват. Те се приспособяват. Вероятно в това се състои и същността на брака — двама души да се приспособят един към друг."
"Но скоро нейният инстинкт за самосъхранение — синоним на силата на човешкия дух, заложен във всекиго от нас, макар потиснат или пък скромен, — я накара да осъзнае, смътно, разбира се, че трябва да се помръдне, да направи нещо, защото животът се движи, защото животът никога не стои на едно място, колкото и удари да й е нанесъл и колкото и мрачен и безсмислен да изглежда."
"Мисис Куонсет не знаеше дали ще се измъкнат живи от това приключение, но никак не се разтревожи. Каквото и да се случи, тя не искаше да изпуска нито миг."
"Както винаги в случай на беда, хората сърдечно си помагаха един друг, без егоизъм и дори с искрици хумор."
"Милтън Компаньо винаги откликваше за неотложна медицинска помощ. След дългогодишно отлагане сега пътуваше за Рим, родното място на своите родители. Възнамеряваше да прекара с жена си едномесечна пълна почивка. Но той бе уверен, че някъде по пътя, а може би в Италия, независимо че нямаше разрешително за задгранична практика, ще потърсят помощта му. Той бе винаги готов, винаги на поста си."
February 6, 2017
A thick novel at 500 pages. The entire novel covers approximately five hours - that's it. A large international airport outside of Chicago (modeled after Chicago O'Hare) is in it's third day of operating during a massive winter storm. There are numerous crisis to deal with as we follow multiple characters through the novel. Released on 1968 I know that some of Hailey's predictions about commercial aviation have not come true, others have and then there are events that were probably outside of Mr. Hailey's imagination at the time he was writing this novel. However ,despite the obvious dated details throughout the novel (not to mention the depiction of females and relations between men and women), it's still a very effective read. The book grabbed my attention and kept me turning the pages.
There are some implausible events ,and a little melodrama, but the story stays away from soap-opera thanks to it's excellent research and attention to details. Mr. Hailey simply focuses too much on how a modern airport functions and ,by compacting the story into such a short time span, there isn't very enough time for the usual soapy elements to intrude. I began this novel expecting to read a melodramatic and sensationalistic novel populated with steely-eyed He-Men and beautiful swooning females. There are hints of that of course (this was a mainstream novel written in the late sixties after all), but what I found myself reading was a well-researched and competently written novel of a modern airport. It's a page-turner. Pure and simple. I believe that even a modern reader under 40 might find this to be an entertaining read. Approach it with the understanding that this is not a current (i.e. written after 1996) book. Understand that it was written in 1966/67 and just read it. You might be surprised. I know I was.
Now I'm tempted to read Hotel.
There are some implausible events ,and a little melodrama, but the story stays away from soap-opera thanks to it's excellent research and attention to details. Mr. Hailey simply focuses too much on how a modern airport functions and ,by compacting the story into such a short time span, there isn't very enough time for the usual soapy elements to intrude. I began this novel expecting to read a melodramatic and sensationalistic novel populated with steely-eyed He-Men and beautiful swooning females. There are hints of that of course (this was a mainstream novel written in the late sixties after all), but what I found myself reading was a well-researched and competently written novel of a modern airport. It's a page-turner. Pure and simple. I believe that even a modern reader under 40 might find this to be an entertaining read. Approach it with the understanding that this is not a current (i.e. written after 1996) book. Understand that it was written in 1966/67 and just read it. You might be surprised. I know I was.
Now I'm tempted to read Hotel.
August 13, 2023
Over the course of seven hours, Lincoln Airport must go through a snowstorm, a protest, and the return of an airplane that's had a hole blasted in its side.
I love stories about airports and airplanes. They're exciting to me because they are emblematic of adventure - even if they are rather cramped!
In this book, Hailey explores the inner workings and concerns of the Lincoln airport. I really enjoyed this peek into the lives of people like the airport manager, air traffic controllers, and pilots. Despite having a good sense of how the story would go - the plot's fairly predictable - the story was written in a tense enough manner that I kept being surprised by what was happening.
However, I didn't love the constantly hand-waved infidelity of the cast, as well as the pro-life rhetoric that goes as far as comparing abortion to the "Auschwitz ovens." I also just wasn't terribly invested in the characters and their lives, especially their love lives. I think Hailey's previous work Hotel did better in that regard.
08/13/2023
My rating still holds, though on a second read-through I better appreciated the agency that Hailey endowed the female characters with. I also put my finger on what bothered me so much about the hand-waving of the infidelity - the suggestion that it was alright because the characters were such attractive and intelligent people. Pretty privilege does not excuse adultery!
I love stories about airports and airplanes. They're exciting to me because they are emblematic of adventure - even if they are rather cramped!
In this book, Hailey explores the inner workings and concerns of the Lincoln airport. I really enjoyed this peek into the lives of people like the airport manager, air traffic controllers, and pilots. Despite having a good sense of how the story would go - the plot's fairly predictable - the story was written in a tense enough manner that I kept being surprised by what was happening.
However, I didn't love the constantly hand-waved infidelity of the cast, as well as the pro-life rhetoric that goes as far as comparing abortion to the "Auschwitz ovens." I also just wasn't terribly invested in the characters and their lives, especially their love lives. I think Hailey's previous work Hotel did better in that regard.
08/13/2023
My rating still holds, though on a second read-through I better appreciated the agency that Hailey endowed the female characters with. I also put my finger on what bothered me so much about the hand-waving of the infidelity - the suggestion that it was alright because the characters were such attractive and intelligent people. Pretty privilege does not excuse adultery!
March 9, 2024
Думала, це буде блискавичний трилер з постійним тигидиком.
Виявилося ще краще. Повільне, розмірене просування сюжету, максимально прописані герої книги та їх історії, які призвели до головної теми. А потім потекла напруга.
Виявилося ще краще. Повільне, розмірене просування сюжету, максимально прописані герої книги та їх історії, які призвели до головної теми. А потім потекла напруга.
July 23, 2025
Когато Артър Хейли публикува романа „Летище“ през 1968 година, малцина успяват да предвидят как едно наглед строго „техническо“ повествование ще се превърне в културен и комерсиален феномен.
Историята се развива в рамките на една снежна нощ на фиктивното летище Линкълн Интернешънъл. Силна виелица парализира трафика. Самолет от мексиканската авиокомпания е заседнал на главната писта, хиляди пътници са блокирани, а въздушното пространство пулсира от тревожна неувереност.
На този фон – и в рамките на по-малко от 12 часа – Артър Хейли въвежда впечатляващ ансамбъл от герои. Мел Бейкърсфийлд, ръководител на летището, води битка на два фронта: срещу хаоса отвън и срещу рухващия си личен живот. Вернон Демерест, суетен и самоуверен пилот, крие не само професионални конфликти, но и нежел��на бременност, плод на извънбрачна връзка със стюардеса. Най-зловеща е линията на Д. О. Гереро, която обаче няма да разкривам и ще оставя скрита за бъдещите читатели на романа.
В „Летище“ няма идеализирани герои. Всички действат под напрежение – физическо, морално, институционално. Това не е роман за авиацията, а за човешките механизми в ситуация на системен срив. Мел не е просто директор – той е алегория на модерния мениджър, разпънат между отговорността и емоционалната апатия, която работата изисква. Гереро, макар и опасен, не е изрод – той е човек, премазан от икономическа безизходица. А Патрони, упоритият техник, е героят, когото системата често пренебрегва, но без когото не би оцеляла.
Хейли си служи с почти документална прецизност, но вместо да убива с подробности, той пише с почит към знанието – инженерно, логистично, психологическо.
Читателят получава не само трилър, но и социална диагноза: за претоварените инфраструктури, за изтощението на работещия човек, за уязвимостта на дори най-модерната система пред баналността на един взрив.
"Летище" съчетава информация и драма по начин, който малцина автори могат да постигнат. Хейли прави от една вечер снежна буря – алегория на 20-ти век: организиран, технологичен, претенциозен, но все така уязвим от човешката грешка и страдание.
Историята се развива в рамките на една снежна нощ на фиктивното летище Линкълн Интернешънъл. Силна виелица парализира трафика. Самолет от мексиканската авиокомпания е заседнал на главната писта, хиляди пътници са блокирани, а въздушното пространство пулсира от тревожна неувереност.
На този фон – и в рамките на по-малко от 12 часа – Артър Хейли въвежда впечатляващ ансамбъл от герои. Мел Бейкърсфийлд, ръководител на летището, води битка на два фронта: срещу хаоса отвън и срещу рухващия си личен живот. Вернон Демерест, суетен и самоуверен пилот, крие не само професионални конфликти, но и нежел��на бременност, плод на извънбрачна връзка със стюардеса. Най-зловеща е линията на Д. О. Гереро, която обаче няма да разкривам и ще оставя скрита за бъдещите читатели на романа.
В „Летище“ няма идеализирани герои. Всички действат под напрежение – физическо, морално, институционално. Това не е роман за авиацията, а за човешките механизми в ситуация на системен срив. Мел не е просто директор – той е алегория на модерния мениджър, разпънат между отговорността и емоционалната апатия, която работата изисква. Гереро, макар и опасен, не е изрод – той е човек, премазан от икономическа безизходица. А Патрони, упоритият техник, е героят, когото системата често пренебрегва, но без когото не би оцеляла.
Хейли си служи с почти документална прецизност, но вместо да убива с подробности, той пише с почит към знанието – инженерно, логистично, психологическо.
Читателят получава не само трилър, но и социална диагноза: за претоварените инфраструктури, за изтощението на работещия човек, за уязвимостта на дори най-модерната система пред баналността на един взрив.
"Летище" съчетава информация и драма по начин, който малцина автори могат да постигнат. Хейли прави от една вечер снежна буря – алегория на 20-ти век: организиран, технологичен, претенциозен, но все така уязвим от човешката грешка и страдание.
March 16, 2024
Ця книга – моє знайомство (дуже незаплановане і спонтанне знайомство) з автором, і вийшло воно дуууже цікавим, у більшості завдяки пану Геррері (персонаж з поїхавшим дахом), Патроні (крутий дядько-механік, який все розрулює навіть поза межами аеропорту) і пані Квонсетт (колоритна жіночка, яка зайцем літає у різні країни і має мільйон історій за плечима). Кінець 1960-х, міжнародний аеропорт в безіменному місті, січень, сніговий буран. На фоні стихійного лиха якраз і відбуваються основні події цього роману.
Знаєте, є книги в яких головну роль грає не якийсь персонаж, а певне місце – "аеропорт" саме така книжка, бо в ній все крутиться навколо однієї події і одного місця. Великий аеропорт маленького містечка живе своїм життям і власними інтригами. У ньому відбуваються зміни, назрівають скандали і сімейні мелодрами, люди живуть і помирають, скоюють злочини, хочуть скоїти самогубство, задумуються над тим, чи народжувати дітей. За сім годин життя аеропорту, що описані в книзі, відбувається стільки всього, стільки пристрастей, почуттів, думок, бажань, що легко заплутатись. Але автор дуже неспішно веде свою розповідь, і у кожної події є власна передісторія і власний кінець.
У цій книзі надзвичайно багато персонажів. При тому, що про кожного ми дізнаємось не лише ім'я, а й історію життя, всі його/її внутрішні переживання і страхи, кожний персонаж має власну біографію, ріст та розвиток. Кожний названий герой "Аеропорту" протягом подій книги приймає важливе для себе рішення, хтось помирає, а хтось навпаки залишається живим. Персонажів дійсно багато, на початку я плуталася та ближче до середини полюбила майже кожного, адже всі вони різні і всі доволі цікаві. І що цікаво, тут не було конкретного поділу на хороших і поганих, всі герої – просто люди з власними перевагами та недоліками і з власними тараканами в голові.
З цікавого: у романі багато технічних і "внутрішніх" моментів життя великого аеропорту. В найдрібніших подробицях описується робота диспетчерів і пілотів, механіків і стюардес, будова аеропорту і його робота (саме зсередини), і ще багато дрібниць на які зазвичай взагалі не звертаєш уваги як пасажир. Це допомагає більше поринути у атмосферу книги і зрозуміти деякі вчинки персонажів.
Складні погодні умови додали свого особливого шарму історії. Показали згуртованість працівників і колективну роботу не тільки різних відділів одного аеропорту, а й колективність взагалі усіх аеропортіві їх працівників, та й загалом як все відбувається всередені авіаіндустрії під час несприятливих погодних умов.
Мені сподобалось. Правда місцями хотілося трохи пришвидшити розвиток подій (особливо на початку книги), а ще не дуже зрозуміла кінець книги (відкриті закінчення передають привіт усім хто їх не любить). З одного боку, це прикольно, бо можемо самі надумати як там далі будуть справи у героїв і вигадати безліч варіантів закінчень, а з іншого – це засмучує, бо залишається присмак незавершеності історії. Хоча на цей раз історія кожного героя отримала своє більш-менш пояснене закінчення, і кожен з персонажів прийшов до якоїсь стабільності у житті.
"аеропорт" до останніх сторінок тримає у напрузі, не дає передихнути і змушує замислюватись над подальшим розвитком подій (найчастіше це було щось накшталт: "встигнуть чи ні?!", "рване чи обійдеться??"). Однозначно рекомендую любителям спокійного початку і динамічного кінця, любителям авіаперельотів і просто всім, кого зацікавив цей відгук.
Знаєте, є книги в яких головну роль грає не якийсь персонаж, а певне місце – "аеропорт" саме така книжка, бо в ній все крутиться навколо однієї події і одного місця. Великий аеропорт маленького містечка живе своїм життям і власними інтригами. У ньому відбуваються зміни, назрівають скандали і сімейні мелодрами, люди живуть і помирають, скоюють злочини, хочуть скоїти самогубство, задумуються над тим, чи народжувати дітей. За сім годин життя аеропорту, що описані в книзі, відбувається стільки всього, стільки пристрастей, почуттів, думок, бажань, що легко заплутатись. Але автор дуже неспішно веде свою розповідь, і у кожної події є власна передісторія і власний кінець.
У цій книзі надзвичайно багато персонажів. При тому, що про кожного ми дізнаємось не лише ім'я, а й історію життя, всі його/її внутрішні переживання і страхи, кожний персонаж має власну біографію, ріст та розвиток. Кожний названий герой "Аеропорту" протягом подій книги приймає важливе для себе рішення, хтось помирає, а хтось навпаки залишається живим. Персонажів дійсно багато, на початку я плуталася та ближче до середини полюбила майже кожного, адже всі вони різні і всі доволі цікаві. І що цікаво, тут не було конкретного поділу на хороших і поганих, всі герої – просто люди з власними перевагами та недоліками і з власними тараканами в голові.
З цікавого: у романі багато технічних і "внутрішніх" моментів життя великого аеропорту. В найдрібніших подробицях описується робота диспетчерів і пілотів, механіків і стюардес, будова аеропорту і його робота (саме зсередини), і ще багато дрібниць на які зазвичай взагалі не звертаєш уваги як пасажир. Це допомагає більше поринути у атмосферу книги і зрозуміти деякі вчинки персонажів.
Складні погодні умови додали свого особливого шарму історії. Показали згуртованість працівників і колективну роботу не тільки різних відділів одного аеропорту, а й колективність взагалі усіх аеропортіві їх працівників, та й загалом як все відбувається всередені авіаіндустрії під час несприятливих погодних умов.
Мені сподобалось. Правда місцями хотілося трохи пришвидшити розвиток подій (особливо на початку книги), а ще не дуже зрозуміла кінець книги (відкриті закінчення передають привіт усім хто їх не любить). З одного боку, це прикольно, бо можемо самі надумати як там далі будуть справи у героїв і вигадати безліч варіантів закінчень, а з іншого – це засмучує, бо залишається присмак незавершеності історії. Хоча на цей раз історія кожного героя отримала своє більш-менш пояснене закінчення, і кожен з персонажів прийшов до якоїсь стабільності у житті.
"аеропорт" до останніх сторінок тримає у напрузі, не дає передихнути і змушує замислюватись над подальшим розвитком подій (найчастіше це було щось накшталт: "встигнуть чи ні?!", "рване чи обійдеться??"). Однозначно рекомендую любителям спокійного початку і динамічного кінця, любителям авіаперельотів і просто всім, кого зацікавив цей відгук.
February 15, 2016
Aeropuerto es una novela de aeropuerto (duh!). Pero a veces olvidamos que uno de los principales impulsores de este tipo de literatura fue Arthur Hailey. El libro más vendido de 1968 es un thriller de altos vuelos que describe el drama de la operación de un aeropuerto y de las amenazas ahora francamente risibles de la industria aeroportuaria en medio de la guerra fría. Un divertido ejercicio retrospectivo y un drama de periodo sobre muchas cosas que ya no lo son.
Los personajes son los mismos de siempre que desarrollara este autor: hombres de acción de mandíbulas cuadradas que, con apenas un atisbo de duda, ejecutan sus tareas con un liderazgo decisivo. Mel Bakersfeld es tan Burt Lancaster. Y su aspecto humano sale a relucir sólo cuando sus presiones laborales los hacen buscar arrumacos con sus compañeras de trabajo (figuras de adorno casi siempre). Es tan sesentas. Piensen en Mad Men y se darán una idea súper clara de los héroes de Hailey.
Esta caracterización resulta tan exagerada que Aeropuerto como novela ya no es conocida ni siquiera por su adaptación a la pantalla, sino por la parodia de ésta (al igual que las novelas de caballerías son conocidas más por el Quijote). Hubo tantos aspectos de la trama que no podía sino leer con una sonrisa acordándome de ¿Y dónde quedó el piloto?
Pero al final es una lectura de aeropuerto sobre un aeropuerto. Es algo lento al principio pero después engancha a través de una amenaza que la verdad a ojos de hoy suena tierna.
Hablando de eso: he aquí una lista de cosas de cómo operaban las aerolíneas y los aeropuertos en 1968 que me parecieron curiosas:
• No había checks de seguridad (wtf?)
• Un pariente podía ir a despedir a sus familiares no sólo a la puerta del avión, sino hasta su asiento mismo si era necesario (wtf?)
• Uno podía meterse de polizón en un avión (wtf?)
• La mayor amenaza terrorista era la gente que quería hacer fraudes de seguros de vida (wtf?)
Y cosas más normales y que todos sabemos como que antes daban cubiertos de metal y cristalería y todo mundo se los robaba, además de que nadie se rompía las rodillas con el respaldo del asiento de en frente, la comida era decente y se podía fumar en el avión. Ah, y una más es que todo un aspecto de la trama gira en torno a una pista bloqueada por la ineptitud de un piloto de Aeroméxico. Algunas cosas nunca cambian.
Los personajes son los mismos de siempre que desarrollara este autor: hombres de acción de mandíbulas cuadradas que, con apenas un atisbo de duda, ejecutan sus tareas con un liderazgo decisivo. Mel Bakersfeld es tan Burt Lancaster. Y su aspecto humano sale a relucir sólo cuando sus presiones laborales los hacen buscar arrumacos con sus compañeras de trabajo (figuras de adorno casi siempre). Es tan sesentas. Piensen en Mad Men y se darán una idea súper clara de los héroes de Hailey.
Esta caracterización resulta tan exagerada que Aeropuerto como novela ya no es conocida ni siquiera por su adaptación a la pantalla, sino por la parodia de ésta (al igual que las novelas de caballerías son conocidas más por el Quijote). Hubo tantos aspectos de la trama que no podía sino leer con una sonrisa acordándome de ¿Y dónde quedó el piloto?
Pero al final es una lectura de aeropuerto sobre un aeropuerto. Es algo lento al principio pero después engancha a través de una amenaza que la verdad a ojos de hoy suena tierna.
Hablando de eso: he aquí una lista de cosas de cómo operaban las aerolíneas y los aeropuertos en 1968 que me parecieron curiosas:
• No había checks de seguridad (wtf?)
• Un pariente podía ir a despedir a sus familiares no sólo a la puerta del avión, sino hasta su asiento mismo si era necesario (wtf?)
• Uno podía meterse de polizón en un avión (wtf?)
• La mayor amenaza terrorista era la gente que quería hacer fraudes de seguros de vida (wtf?)
Y cosas más normales y que todos sabemos como que antes daban cubiertos de metal y cristalería y todo mundo se los robaba, además de que nadie se rompía las rodillas con el respaldo del asiento de en frente, la comida era decente y se podía fumar en el avión. Ah, y una más es que todo un aspecto de la trama gira en torno a una pista bloqueada por la ineptitud de un piloto de Aeroméxico. Algunas cosas nunca cambian.
February 1, 2024
Голямо внимание към детайла и много приятен стил са двете неща, които ми направиха най-голямо впечатление при първата ми среща с творчеството на Хейли.
"Летище" е динамичен трилър с доста сюжетни линии. Някои от тях не са завършени в рамките на романа, а по-скоро остават отворени за читателя сам да размишлява. Все пак, основният сюжет е с щастлив завършек, а главният герой Мел Бейкърсфелд се проявява като умел и прозорлив, но същевременно и със своите човешки недостатъци.
5/5, не очаквах толкова да ми хареса, честно.
"Летище" е динамичен трилър с доста сюжетни линии. Някои от тях не са завършени в рамките на романа, а по-скоро остават отворени за читателя сам да размишлява. Все пак, основният сюжет е с щастлив завършек, а главният герой Мел Бейкърсфелд се проявява като умел и прозорлив, но същевременно и със своите човешки недостатъци.
5/5, не очаквах толкова да ми хареса, честно.
March 10, 2010
This book was so silly. The Genral Manager of the airport has a brother-in-law who is a senior
pilot and a brother who is an Air Traffic Controller there. I'm surprised that his 14 year old
daughter isn't a stewardess! Of course he's going through a divorce because he's having an
affair. The only redeeming value about this book was it's descriptions of the inner workings
on a large airport ca. 1968.
pilot and a brother who is an Air Traffic Controller there. I'm surprised that his 14 year old
daughter isn't a stewardess! Of course he's going through a divorce because he's having an
affair. The only redeeming value about this book was it's descriptions of the inner workings
on a large airport ca. 1968.
April 20, 2020
Ето я и първата "Галактика", която оценявам по спомени. Чел съм я два пъти и не смятам за нужно да го правя трети път, при положение че я помня горе-долу добре. Новаторска за времето си книга, прекрачваща границите на жанровете и изпъстрена с калейдоскоп от ярки и интересни персонажи. Не знам дали би впечатлила толкова днешните читатели, но за мен си струва петте звезди.
December 2, 2015
This book takes its own sweet time setting the stage. If you pick this, be warned - the first half is only background and buildup. The real action takes place in the last 30% or so of the book. But my mom, who recommended this to me, had told me as much - Arthur Hailey's specialty is that he takes you through the daily goings-on in an establishment such as an airport or a hotel before some crisis occurs. So if you really want to know the ins and outs of the American aviation industry in the 70s, pay attention to every detail in the book. Otherwise, skim.
The book had an interesting assortment of characters - but they could have been much, much better.
They were by no means flawless, but it annoyed me nevertheless that there was only one significant male character who didn't condone cheating on his wife because, we're informed, she's still beautiful. Good for you, Joe.
The important female characters - there are two, three if you squint - aren't really given much of their own backstory though they're important to the plot. Rather, they're described from the male characters' point of view. An ex-wife who is a bitch, a sympathetic colleague who is aging but still hot. A wife who is ridiculously dull and has no idea about her husband's infidelity. A paramour who is bright and pretty and pleasing.
A small but significant female role is characterized by the fact that she has enormous breasts. I'm not kidding. In the POVs of other people, her breasts are described on five separate occasions. When her own POV is depicted, she knows they're big and uses them to her advantage with male passengers. Apparently her boobs have hypnotic powers. Go figure.
To be fair, this book was written in the 1970s. So I suppose it could be forgiven the blatant gender stereotypes. But they bothered me at every turn.
There was no major twist as such, and I thought it ended rather abruptly and unsatisfyingly. Maybe it was there somewhere and I missed it in the sheer torrent of information.
Other than that, it was a decent book, and definitely enjoyable. But it doesn't age very well, both in terms of technology and mindset, and that's where it loses out. The things these people thought and said (Also, there's a free moral lecture on abortion inserted somewhere in the book)and the problems they faced are of so little significance to a modern reader as to be boring.
The book had an interesting assortment of characters - but they could have been much, much better.
They were by no means flawless, but it annoyed me nevertheless that there was only one significant male character who didn't condone cheating on his wife because, we're informed, she's still beautiful. Good for you, Joe.
The important female characters - there are two, three if you squint - aren't really given much of their own backstory though they're important to the plot. Rather, they're described from the male characters' point of view. An ex-wife who is a bitch, a sympathetic colleague who is aging but still hot. A wife who is ridiculously dull and has no idea about her husband's infidelity. A paramour who is bright and pretty and pleasing.
A small but significant female role is characterized by the fact that she has enormous breasts. I'm not kidding. In the POVs of other people, her breasts are described on five separate occasions. When her own POV is depicted, she knows they're big and uses them to her advantage with male passengers. Apparently her boobs have hypnotic powers. Go figure.
To be fair, this book was written in the 1970s. So I suppose it could be forgiven the blatant gender stereotypes. But they bothered me at every turn.
There was no major twist as such, and I thought it ended rather abruptly and unsatisfyingly. Maybe it was there somewhere and I missed it in the sheer torrent of information.
Other than that, it was a decent book, and definitely enjoyable. But it doesn't age very well, both in terms of technology and mindset, and that's where it loses out. The things these people thought and said (Also, there's a free moral lecture on abortion inserted somewhere in the book)and the problems they faced are of so little significance to a modern reader as to be boring.
December 20, 2012
Day-to-day routine got me and let the precise impression to fade. Still some moments, maybe only general, are going to appear here.
Almost 500 pages - there could be a different use for them. Some author would describe more than one generation, some would use it to live a life of a specific character, some would show a reader different worlds or different times - a lot of possibilities. Arthur Hailey decided to use them just for one evening, not even a day. Just a little bit more than ordinary evening, still nothing extra-ordinary.
Place.You are introduced to the airport as the main setting of the evening, the centre would sound better. And then you are allowed to visit some other places (imagine cobweb where from the centre you are travelling around and always returning to the start point).
Characters. Is there one protagonist? Yes. Is there one POV? No.
That is what I like - possibility to get into different mind, to see the situation from different perspectives, to understand the motives and how different lives and actions lead to each other and meet somewhere.
Is someone just good and someone just bad? No. Life doesn't divide people into specific group like we were told in fairy tales.
Action. Happens. However, mostly psychological. Into your mind. Pages and the text are just a kind of a motivator for it.
How it ends? One main question and a million co-questions. The main is solved. Others? Partly. Some clues are given, be sure. Still the main part is left for you to write a continuation into your mind. Maybe some don't like that kind of ending, some prefer everything to be clear. For me it is more enjoyable when you sit for a while just thinking and trying to understand after turning the last page. I do not know why, but the ending reminded me the ending of Gone with the wind.
To sum up. Looking for some other masterpiece from Arthur Hailey.
Almost 500 pages - there could be a different use for them. Some author would describe more than one generation, some would use it to live a life of a specific character, some would show a reader different worlds or different times - a lot of possibilities. Arthur Hailey decided to use them just for one evening, not even a day. Just a little bit more than ordinary evening, still nothing extra-ordinary.
Place.You are introduced to the airport as the main setting of the evening, the centre would sound better. And then you are allowed to visit some other places (imagine cobweb where from the centre you are travelling around and always returning to the start point).
Characters. Is there one protagonist? Yes. Is there one POV? No.
That is what I like - possibility to get into different mind, to see the situation from different perspectives, to understand the motives and how different lives and actions lead to each other and meet somewhere.
Is someone just good and someone just bad? No. Life doesn't divide people into specific group like we were told in fairy tales.
Action. Happens. However, mostly psychological. Into your mind. Pages and the text are just a kind of a motivator for it.
How it ends? One main question and a million co-questions. The main is solved. Others? Partly. Some clues are given, be sure. Still the main part is left for you to write a continuation into your mind. Maybe some don't like that kind of ending, some prefer everything to be clear. For me it is more enjoyable when you sit for a while just thinking and trying to understand after turning the last page. I do not know why, but the ending reminded me the ending of Gone with the wind.
To sum up. Looking for some other masterpiece from Arthur Hailey.
May 19, 2022
Turns out that with the right external elements - snowstorm in this case - even a huge airport can be used to create a closed-room-type drama. And from the first paragraphs it is obvious that Hailey knows what goes on in the airport behind the areas accessible to the uninitiated and knows how to set the scene and mood - "The storm had lasted three days. Now, like pustules on a battered, weakened body, trouble spots were erupting steadily".
Against this background, various characters and their storylines emerge. Airport manager dealing with multitude of issues - personal, professional, and mixture of both in the form of his brother-in-law, the pilot. Residential community next to the airport desperate to put an end to noise intrusion and led on a crusade against the airport by a determined lawyer. Bankrupt businessman making one last attempt at ensuring his family's future. Elderly stowaway in a battle of wits with the airline management. All these storylines slowly, but inevitably converge in a constantly tightening and accelerating spiral of events, with much broader issues - policy on selling flight insurances, policy on building new runways - adding depth and colour, as well as plausibility. I can only applaud the skill of the author in keeping the tension rising up until the very last paragraphs. Real page turner.
Throughout the book, it was obvious that the author, a former pilot, feels strongly and deeply about airplanes, and is able to put it down in words. From now on, whenever I will enter an airplane, I will remember this paragraph: "An airliner in a terminal was like a dependent relative, subject to the whims and succor of its family. Such life as it had was never independent. Its identity was blurred; supply lines hobbled it; strangers, who would never join its airborne complement, moved in and out. But when doors were sealed as the airplane prepared for takeoff, it became once more an entity."
At the same time, there were two reasons I was constantly aware that outside it was 2022, but I was reading a novel written in 1968. The first reason was the description of very, very different security measures in the airport and on the airplane. It took away nothing from the enjoyment of the book, on the contrary - it kept me comparing my current experience as a passenger to that description, and therefore very much engaged with what I read. The second reason was also a description of sorts, or, more precisely, difference in description of male and female characters. Male characters are 'powerhouses of disciplined energy', 'top-notch troubleshooter'. In turn, the description of female characters mostly concentrates on their looks. "A slim figure, yet with a fullness which the trim airline uniform heightened", or simply 'glamorous'. One female character "was not a highly intelligent woman /../ essentially a simple soul with an uncomplicated nature", the other, "like many women, dreaded a major upheaval in her life", all of them "were seldom logical". Excuse me while I celebrate the 50 years of feminism.
"In aviation, there was never a status quo. /../ Air traffic emergencies of one kind or another occurred several times a day at Lincoln International, as they did at any major airport."
Against this background, various characters and their storylines emerge. Airport manager dealing with multitude of issues - personal, professional, and mixture of both in the form of his brother-in-law, the pilot. Residential community next to the airport desperate to put an end to noise intrusion and led on a crusade against the airport by a determined lawyer. Bankrupt businessman making one last attempt at ensuring his family's future. Elderly stowaway in a battle of wits with the airline management. All these storylines slowly, but inevitably converge in a constantly tightening and accelerating spiral of events, with much broader issues - policy on selling flight insurances, policy on building new runways - adding depth and colour, as well as plausibility. I can only applaud the skill of the author in keeping the tension rising up until the very last paragraphs. Real page turner.
Throughout the book, it was obvious that the author, a former pilot, feels strongly and deeply about airplanes, and is able to put it down in words. From now on, whenever I will enter an airplane, I will remember this paragraph: "An airliner in a terminal was like a dependent relative, subject to the whims and succor of its family. Such life as it had was never independent. Its identity was blurred; supply lines hobbled it; strangers, who would never join its airborne complement, moved in and out. But when doors were sealed as the airplane prepared for takeoff, it became once more an entity."
At the same time, there were two reasons I was constantly aware that outside it was 2022, but I was reading a novel written in 1968. The first reason was the description of very, very different security measures in the airport and on the airplane. It took away nothing from the enjoyment of the book, on the contrary - it kept me comparing my current experience as a passenger to that description, and therefore very much engaged with what I read. The second reason was also a description of sorts, or, more precisely, difference in description of male and female characters. Male characters are 'powerhouses of disciplined energy', 'top-notch troubleshooter'. In turn, the description of female characters mostly concentrates on their looks. "A slim figure, yet with a fullness which the trim airline uniform heightened", or simply 'glamorous'. One female character "was not a highly intelligent woman /../ essentially a simple soul with an uncomplicated nature", the other, "like many women, dreaded a major upheaval in her life", all of them "were seldom logical". Excuse me while I celebrate the 50 years of feminism.
"In aviation, there was never a status quo. /../ Air traffic emergencies of one kind or another occurred several times a day at Lincoln International, as they did at any major airport."
October 5, 2023
Аеропорти - моя слабкість 🥰🥰
Завжди була готова не спати всю ніч або прокинутися рано-вранці і їхати в інше місто, щоб сісти на літак і відправитися на пошуки пригод та нових вражень до чужої країни.
Але, піднімаючись на борт, я завжди ловила флешбеки до заняття з безпеки життєдіяльності в університеті. Викладач нам тоді розповідав, що ризики виникнення авіакатастрофи надзвичайно низькі, а масштаби трагедії будуть величезні.
І кожного разу думаєш, чи не станеться чогось такого непередбачуваного саме під час твого польоту.
Книга Артура Гейлі ще більше підсилила цю мою фобію.
І нехай я розумію, що аеропорти нині - це не те, що було у 60-тих роках в Америці. Але й передбачити ніхто не може, у якому психічному стані знаходиться отой самотній чоловік з рюкзаком.
Або чи не запустить чергову ракету класу "земля-повітря" наш дурнуватий сусід...
Отож про що книга?
Читач проведе усього кілька годин із працівниками та пасажирами аеропорту Лінкольн, дізнається про особливості його роботи під час триденної снігової бурі, як можна було потрапити на літак без квитка, які особливості роботи стюардес та пілотів та який алгоритм дій у разі критичних надзвичайних ситуацій.
Більшість цих фактів подана досить сухо і детально, тож моментами може здатися, що книга нудна і затягнута.
Читала я її довго і місцями навіть думала відкласти на невизначений термін.
Але моєю "точкою неповернення" став момент зльоту в повітря рейсу, що прямував до Риму.
Далі уже я книгу дочитувала в експрес-режимі, практично не відриваючись.
Автор створив надзвичайно напружений сюжет!
Я практично не намагалася відгадувати, як же обернуться події у наступному розділі і чим закінчиться книга загалом. Натомість історія поглинула мене настільки, що я боялася лишити вм'ятини від пальців на сторінках - настільки міцно стискала книгу 😅🙈
А ще тут звучить дуже багато важливих соціальних питань.
Зокрема, це родинні стосунки і подружні зради, гуманність абортів та усиновлення, важливість психічного здоров'я, відповідальність за ненавмисну халатність на роботі. І головне, як на мене, - моральний вибір людини та чи потрібно ризикувати у критичних ситуаціях, коли від твого рішення залежить не один десяток життів.
Завжди була готова не спати всю ніч або прокинутися рано-вранці і їхати в інше місто, щоб сісти на літак і відправитися на пошуки пригод та нових вражень до чужої країни.
Але, піднімаючись на борт, я завжди ловила флешбеки до заняття з безпеки життєдіяльності в університеті. Викладач нам тоді розповідав, що ризики виникнення авіакатастрофи надзвичайно низькі, а масштаби трагедії будуть величезні.
І кожного разу думаєш, чи не станеться чогось такого непередбачуваного саме під час твого польоту.
Книга Артура Гейлі ще більше підсилила цю мою фобію.
І нехай я розумію, що аеропорти нині - це не те, що було у 60-тих роках в Америці. Але й передбачити ніхто не може, у якому психічному стані знаходиться отой самотній чоловік з рюкзаком.
Або чи не запустить чергову ракету класу "земля-повітря" наш дурнуватий сусід...
Отож про що книга?
Читач проведе усього кілька годин із працівниками та пасажирами аеропорту Лінкольн, дізнається про особливості його роботи під час триденної снігової бурі, як можна було потрапити на літак без квитка, які особливості роботи стюардес та пілотів та який алгоритм дій у разі критичних надзвичайних ситуацій.
Більшість цих фактів подана досить сухо і детально, тож моментами може здатися, що книга нудна і затягнута.
Читала я її довго і місцями навіть думала відкласти на невизначений термін.
Але моєю "точкою неповернення" став момент зльоту в повітря рейсу, що прямував до Риму.
Далі уже я книгу дочитувала в експрес-режимі, практично не відриваючись.
Автор створив надзвичайно напружений сюжет!
Я практично не намагалася відгадувати, як же обернуться події у наступному розділі і чим закінчиться книга загалом. Натомість історія поглинула мене настільки, що я боялася лишити вм'ятини від пальців на сторінках - настільки міцно стискала книгу 😅🙈
А ще тут звучить дуже багато важливих соціальних питань.
Зокрема, це родинні стосунки і подружні зради, гуманність абортів та усиновлення, важливість психічного здоров'я, відповідальність за ненавмисну халатність на роботі. І головне, як на мене, - моральний вибір людини та чи потрібно ризикувати у критичних ситуаціях, коли від твого рішення залежить не один десяток життів.
August 14, 2024
Хотіла б я бути схожою на Мела у прийнятті рішень. Те, як він керує аеропортом, - так все мудро. Сподобалось про 60 доларів, які закладає авіакомпанія на дрібні виплати по скаргах, навіть якщо клієнти брешуть. Сподобалось, як описано відданість лікаря, який сприймає професію як приз, який щодня треба захищати, бо інакше є ризик втратити. Як Гвен роздумує про те робити аборт, чи ні, як мягко розмовляє про це з батьком дитини.
Словом… тут стільки мікро історій! Особистих переживань, розриву стосунків і нових почуттів. І такий весь прагматизм Гейлі в тому, як він описує під кінець перспективи цього всього.
Через те, що я працюю в туризмі, отримала велике задоволення від книги, хоч літачкових деталей було аж задуже. Але те, скільки тут історій з клієнтами, як вони зляться, чудять і як працівники аеропорту дають цьому раду - усміхало)) і полегшувало ввечері втому від робочого дня, коли в серпні сили вже під 0
Словом… тут стільки мікро історій! Особистих переживань, розриву стосунків і нових почуттів. І такий весь прагматизм Гейлі в тому, як він описує під кінець перспективи цього всього.
Через те, що я працюю в туризмі, отримала велике задоволення від книги, хоч літачкових деталей було аж задуже. Але те, скільки тут історій з клієнтами, як вони зляться, чудять і як працівники аеропорту дають цьому раду - усміхало)) і полегшувало ввечері втому від робочого дня, коли в серпні сили вже під 0
March 12, 2021
Удивителен роман, който те държи в реалността с всичката детайлна информация представена от Артър Хейли. Потопяваш се в света на летището, неговите обитатели - пътниците, неговият главен управител - Мел Бейкърсфелд, невероятните колеги от РВД, топ пилоти със съотве��ния екипаж от стюардеси. Преминаваш през емоциите и интересите на много герои, така че тук няма смисъл да се изтъква кой е главен и кой не, всички са обвързани през цялото време по един или друг начин. Романът успя да ме завладее и да нямам търпение да разбера какво ще стане и с Д.О. Гереро, и с Кийт Бейкърсфелд и с Върнън Димирест. Но какво свързва тези образи, ще оставя да разберете, когато отворите книгата. През цялото време имах чувството, че съм точно където се намират героите, всички детайли представени от Хейли ме впечатлиха и предполагам, че се е наложило специално да се запознае с всичко, за да подхване произведение като "Летище". Не случайно има и екранизация по тази книга...
January 20, 2023
I loved the blizzard, the tension of clearing a runway, the airport manager’s unraveling marriage, the obtuse resident protestors, the melodrama of the pilots and stewardesses on a glamorous international flight, and of course the last-minute travel insurance policy of the man with the ticking suitcase.
A bit forced to cram so much commentary on the airline industry and to make the stories of all the different characters come together on a single night, but a very good read nonetheless.
A bit forced to cram so much commentary on the airline industry and to make the stories of all the different characters come together on a single night, but a very good read nonetheless.
December 22, 2018
This was a well written. I do not suggest that one reads it just before travel. It is quite disturbing.
Enjoy and
Be Blessed.
Steven
Enjoy and
Be Blessed.
Steven
September 27, 2023
Якщо відкинути всю ту інформацію стосовно роботи аеропорту, якихось внутрішніх проблем, що і як працює та як одна служба залежить від іншої (а це десь +/- сторінок 200) та залишити тільки основний сюжет, то книга мені сподобалося. Мені просто було не цікаво читати про те як убирають сніг зі смуги, про судові позови людей які живуть біля аеропорту, про людей які літають зайцем, про любовні походеньки пілотів.А враховуючи коли ця книга була написана, то більшість цієї інформації, як мені здається, просто засторіла та просто відволікала від центральної сюжетної лінії.
А сама книга дуже атмосферна, легко та швидко читається, сюжет простий та цікавий, дуже добре прописані персонажі, за якими цікаво спостерігати як і за подіями що відбуваються у книзі.
А сама книга дуже атмосферна, легко та швидко читається, сюжет простий та цікавий, дуже добре прописані персонажі, за якими цікаво спостерігати як і за подіями що відбуваються у книзі.
July 2, 2012
The reason I took this book is to explore different writer’s perspective. From what I came to know about the writer Arthur Hailey is that he takes one situation, one place and at a time and digs deep into it, puts every little detail accounted for and gives a vast book. His books are handsomely titled as Airport, Hotel etc. each exploring the respective places. Like the title the book is precise in revolving around everything that happens in that particular place. Great detailing I must say.
Generally in a plane hijack or in any situation where crisis happens it’s mandatory to introduce those characters so that we can relate to them, sympathies them. Here also they are introduced beforehand by various means. In fact we come to know what all they do, where they reside, their strengths, weaknesses etc. We know so much that we could even do SWOT analysis about them. Good thing is that as we get to know them so well we feel they are people who’re amongst us and we judge them better. First success of the writer I must say.
A guy Guerrero gets into the plane with bomb, then we have a captain, a stewardess and an old lady. These are the guys we connect with in the aero plane but do we really sympathize them? Can’t be said yes instantly, because the people whom we really like, Mel, his brother Keith, Tanya, Joe Patroni are all downstairs working so hard. The other people who had fought or quarreled with them are there in the plane.
The way we start to sympathize them is so beautifully done in this book. Even though we don’t like them or we like the people in ground even more we still continue to feel for them. We don’t want them to die and that’s the writers’ success. Generally in an action movie there are so many people dying and we sympathize with none. If their family, their background had been shown things would have been different. That’s what happens here. We know everyone’s background so we are free to think. Though we don’t like them one hundred percent we don’t want them to die because death is one huge punishment.
Though Mel is the hero in the book. The absolute charmer is Mrs Quardett. That too the way she tells all her escapade stories are all ROFL moments. If made into a movie this scene will evoke laughter more than any other scene.
How much of homework the author would’ve done is clearly there to be seen in the book. Especially during the speech which he makes to the residents about noise reduction he talks about Concorde which was not there when the book got released.
But at the start of the book I thought Joe is going to be the real hero of the book. I was a little disappointed when I couldn’t read much of him. He was some guy for sure. The very mention of cigar and straightforward attitude made me curious and read interestingly. Though he digs the airplane out of shambles during the end I really would’ve liked to see more of him even in the middle.
Another important thing that I liked was how every story got intertwined. Each character had their own life but the way they all came together for this one moment was interesting. The thrill part happens only at the vague end of the story but still the author was able to maintain the curiosity of the readers by letting out the details in an orderly fashion.
But the one thing I didn’t understand is how someone could take a bomb so easily into the airplane in spite of having customs check, baggage check and a lot more. I confess that I’ve become a fan of Arthur Hailey and I’d definitely like to read one of his works in future. A nice blend of pulp fiction and art.
Generally in a plane hijack or in any situation where crisis happens it’s mandatory to introduce those characters so that we can relate to them, sympathies them. Here also they are introduced beforehand by various means. In fact we come to know what all they do, where they reside, their strengths, weaknesses etc. We know so much that we could even do SWOT analysis about them. Good thing is that as we get to know them so well we feel they are people who’re amongst us and we judge them better. First success of the writer I must say.
A guy Guerrero gets into the plane with bomb, then we have a captain, a stewardess and an old lady. These are the guys we connect with in the aero plane but do we really sympathize them? Can’t be said yes instantly, because the people whom we really like, Mel, his brother Keith, Tanya, Joe Patroni are all downstairs working so hard. The other people who had fought or quarreled with them are there in the plane.
The way we start to sympathize them is so beautifully done in this book. Even though we don’t like them or we like the people in ground even more we still continue to feel for them. We don’t want them to die and that’s the writers’ success. Generally in an action movie there are so many people dying and we sympathize with none. If their family, their background had been shown things would have been different. That’s what happens here. We know everyone’s background so we are free to think. Though we don’t like them one hundred percent we don’t want them to die because death is one huge punishment.
Though Mel is the hero in the book. The absolute charmer is Mrs Quardett. That too the way she tells all her escapade stories are all ROFL moments. If made into a movie this scene will evoke laughter more than any other scene.
How much of homework the author would’ve done is clearly there to be seen in the book. Especially during the speech which he makes to the residents about noise reduction he talks about Concorde which was not there when the book got released.
But at the start of the book I thought Joe is going to be the real hero of the book. I was a little disappointed when I couldn’t read much of him. He was some guy for sure. The very mention of cigar and straightforward attitude made me curious and read interestingly. Though he digs the airplane out of shambles during the end I really would’ve liked to see more of him even in the middle.
Another important thing that I liked was how every story got intertwined. Each character had their own life but the way they all came together for this one moment was interesting. The thrill part happens only at the vague end of the story but still the author was able to maintain the curiosity of the readers by letting out the details in an orderly fashion.
But the one thing I didn’t understand is how someone could take a bomb so easily into the airplane in spite of having customs check, baggage check and a lot more. I confess that I’ve become a fan of Arthur Hailey and I’d definitely like to read one of his works in future. A nice blend of pulp fiction and art.
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