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Flying Lessons
When Swann was referred to the psychiatric clinic for assessment, he assumed it would be purely routine. But then he met Alison.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 7, 2012
INTENSE LOVE STORY
I highly recommend this strange love story! I have never read a love story quite like it.
The two main characters are very strange and entertaining. This author has the ability to stop and describe the scenery in a way that sounds poetic, dream-like, magical, and intense. This was so enjoyable and refreshing.
You will be amazed at how crazy these lovers are. You won’t be able to anticipate their next moves. As I read on, it just got more and more entertaining.
I can’t wait to read something else by this very talented author.
Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter)
I highly recommend this strange love story! I have never read a love story quite like it.
The two main characters are very strange and entertaining. This author has the ability to stop and describe the scenery in a way that sounds poetic, dream-like, magical, and intense. This was so enjoyable and refreshing.
You will be amazed at how crazy these lovers are. You won’t be able to anticipate their next moves. As I read on, it just got more and more entertaining.
I can’t wait to read something else by this very talented author.
Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter)
April 5, 2013
Swann wants to learn how to fly, and Alison agrees to teach him. On the surface this sounds pretty straightforward and well within the bounds of normal behaviour. Within the pages of this book we learn that this is far, oh so far, from the case.
Socially awkward, totally unaware of his good looks, Swann is a wonderful tragicomic creation. In comparison to Alison, though, his bizarre behaviour and peculiar attitude to life look fairly tame. His dead-pan delivery and her angst-filled drama combine to produce many scenes of pathos and humour in this quirky love story.
In the same way that Swann has no idea what Alison is going to do next, and is content to go along with her outlandish plans, I found that I had no idea where the story was going to take me, but was surprised and delighted by the journey.
In tone the dialogue is reminiscent of the superb Douglas Adams, and this works very well with the passages of description that are almost poetic and add a dream-like quality to the book.
The supporting characters are eccentric in their individual ways, and provide their own moments of sadness and mirth. One of my favourites is Mrs Strange. However, I do have a tiny problem with her name. Yes, she’s strange, in fact, everyone in the book is strange, but I don’t think the story requires this nominative determinism. Also, the tendency for every woman to shed her clothes in front of Swann becomes a little repetitive after a while.
Setting my naming and disrobing niggles firmly aside, this is a perfectly paced, well-crafted story, with a brilliant ending. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Socially awkward, totally unaware of his good looks, Swann is a wonderful tragicomic creation. In comparison to Alison, though, his bizarre behaviour and peculiar attitude to life look fairly tame. His dead-pan delivery and her angst-filled drama combine to produce many scenes of pathos and humour in this quirky love story.
In the same way that Swann has no idea what Alison is going to do next, and is content to go along with her outlandish plans, I found that I had no idea where the story was going to take me, but was surprised and delighted by the journey.
In tone the dialogue is reminiscent of the superb Douglas Adams, and this works very well with the passages of description that are almost poetic and add a dream-like quality to the book.
The supporting characters are eccentric in their individual ways, and provide their own moments of sadness and mirth. One of my favourites is Mrs Strange. However, I do have a tiny problem with her name. Yes, she’s strange, in fact, everyone in the book is strange, but I don’t think the story requires this nominative determinism. Also, the tendency for every woman to shed her clothes in front of Swann becomes a little repetitive after a while.
Setting my naming and disrobing niggles firmly aside, this is a perfectly paced, well-crafted story, with a brilliant ending. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 22, 2013
I don't know what I was expecting when I downloaded this book. The title, the cover, the description didn't give me a lot to go on. The reviews, on the other hand, are glowing.
If you need another person to tell you that Francis Potts has produced an exceptional work, then here goes.
'Flying Lessons' is one of those books that dangles a big juicy carrot under your nose so that you have to follow. It tantalises and torments with its view of a simpler and altogether more satisfying existence, where Swann and Alison can be happy together. To be sure, the place where our two protagonists live is devoid of the clutter of real life. Swann is uncompromising and single-minded in his affections. Alison is happy to be adored, although more clued up about the dangers around them. The real world is a destructive place and the 'authorities' cannot leave well alone.
As I read, I thought of Proust (there are madeleines, a chateau and the hero's name is Swann) but I also thought of a film I saw as a young girl: 'Last Tango in Paris'. Francis Potts has found a corner of the universe hidden from view, where two people go to escape the mundane and predictable, a corner where the rules of physics are explored and expanded so that the implausible becomes the norm. Swann wants to fly and we believe he will, and that he will show us how to fly, too.
The people Swann meets assume that he is mad. They subscribe to the rules of the real world, but glimpse another, as they get to know him and like him. He has an effect on them and will be universally missed.
I could go on, but nothing I can say will measure up. A beautifully written, beautiful book.
If you need another person to tell you that Francis Potts has produced an exceptional work, then here goes.
'Flying Lessons' is one of those books that dangles a big juicy carrot under your nose so that you have to follow. It tantalises and torments with its view of a simpler and altogether more satisfying existence, where Swann and Alison can be happy together. To be sure, the place where our two protagonists live is devoid of the clutter of real life. Swann is uncompromising and single-minded in his affections. Alison is happy to be adored, although more clued up about the dangers around them. The real world is a destructive place and the 'authorities' cannot leave well alone.
As I read, I thought of Proust (there are madeleines, a chateau and the hero's name is Swann) but I also thought of a film I saw as a young girl: 'Last Tango in Paris'. Francis Potts has found a corner of the universe hidden from view, where two people go to escape the mundane and predictable, a corner where the rules of physics are explored and expanded so that the implausible becomes the norm. Swann wants to fly and we believe he will, and that he will show us how to fly, too.
The people Swann meets assume that he is mad. They subscribe to the rules of the real world, but glimpse another, as they get to know him and like him. He has an effect on them and will be universally missed.
I could go on, but nothing I can say will measure up. A beautifully written, beautiful book.
Read
September 8, 2012Flying Lessons was an extremely pleasant surprise for me. I initially downloaded it with no knowledge of the subject matter but simply because I had struck up a conversation with the author, Francis Potts, (@fpotts) on Twitter.
As soon as I began reading, it was apparent that Francis is a master at setting the tone of a story. It felt more as if I were dreaming than reading! In fact, I would say that the dream-like mood is of equal importance to the characters in driving this narrative.
The two main characters meet at a psychiatric facility. They both seem to have been damaged in the past but the source of the damage is only hinted at.
Alison wants to experience life by examining every detail with extreme intensity. She also desires control and finds the perfect partner in Swann.
Swann, who tells the story, seems to have no feelings or motivation at all. He allows himself to be pushed and pulled through life by Alison and the other people he meets, doing whatever they ask of him.
As you might guess from the title, birds, airplanes, and flying are recurring themes. Mrs. Strange, the owner of a bird rescue home, is a hilariously entertaining secondary character.
But here is the question: In this book, are all of the characters real? Do any of them exist only in the imagination of one of the others? Allow yourself to float along on the dreamy mood of Flying Lessons all the way through the ethereal conclusion, then tell me what you think!
As soon as I began reading, it was apparent that Francis is a master at setting the tone of a story. It felt more as if I were dreaming than reading! In fact, I would say that the dream-like mood is of equal importance to the characters in driving this narrative.
The two main characters meet at a psychiatric facility. They both seem to have been damaged in the past but the source of the damage is only hinted at.
Alison wants to experience life by examining every detail with extreme intensity. She also desires control and finds the perfect partner in Swann.
Swann, who tells the story, seems to have no feelings or motivation at all. He allows himself to be pushed and pulled through life by Alison and the other people he meets, doing whatever they ask of him.
As you might guess from the title, birds, airplanes, and flying are recurring themes. Mrs. Strange, the owner of a bird rescue home, is a hilariously entertaining secondary character.
But here is the question: In this book, are all of the characters real? Do any of them exist only in the imagination of one of the others? Allow yourself to float along on the dreamy mood of Flying Lessons all the way through the ethereal conclusion, then tell me what you think!
February 16, 2013
Flying Lessons by Francis Potts.
This book is astonishing. On one level it is a love story between two damaged people who "find" one another, and the acceptance of what others see as oddities in each others characters.
On another level, I felt it was an exploration of a relationship of dominant / submissive where the submissive obeys unquestioningly and accepts abusive treatment in the hope of attaining the ultimate prize - to fuck dominant - a prize teasingly promised, but always tomorrow.
Mainly it is a beautiful presentation of how we can accept differences in people and learn from each other how to "see" - something we appear to have forgotten to do in our everyday busy lives. Perhaps we ALL need "flying lessons" to reach our destinies.
Defying explanation, this is highly recommended. A book which will stay with me for a very long time, and I can only congratulate Francis Potts on creating such an original and thought provoking work.
This book is astonishing. On one level it is a love story between two damaged people who "find" one another, and the acceptance of what others see as oddities in each others characters.
On another level, I felt it was an exploration of a relationship of dominant / submissive where the submissive obeys unquestioningly and accepts abusive treatment in the hope of attaining the ultimate prize - to fuck dominant - a prize teasingly promised, but always tomorrow.
Mainly it is a beautiful presentation of how we can accept differences in people and learn from each other how to "see" - something we appear to have forgotten to do in our everyday busy lives. Perhaps we ALL need "flying lessons" to reach our destinies.
Defying explanation, this is highly recommended. A book which will stay with me for a very long time, and I can only congratulate Francis Potts on creating such an original and thought provoking work.
May 11, 2013
To say that this novel is great is an understatement. Let me tell you the truth. Flying Lessons is a spectacular book, something every reader should have in their shelves, something every bookworm should read.
The story revolved around Mr. Swann and his dream of flying someday. He asked for sleeping pills to help ease his agitation, but soon he was sent to a psychiatrist for further evaluation. The first day he went to the specialist was the first time she met Alison, in flesh and in picture.
After stealing her photograph, Swann’s previous feeling that something great was about to happen, came true. It was the start of his affair and flying lessons with Alison.
In a relationship, Swann was the type of guy who was naive, submissive and innocent. He asked the pertinent questions, he only answered Yes or No and did not further elaborate with his replies, he made sure that he pleased Alison and the other people around him.
And the other people included Mrs. Strange. She was quite a character. She stripped her clothes in front of Mr. Swann, she sorted out her birds and smoked a lot.
When Alison, one day, failed to appear at their usual rendezvous, Swann felt that he was not in control with his life. He soon stopped showing up at Mrs. Strange’s bird sanctuary, grew weary & restless. He even did breaking and entering! And the result: he jumped from a second floor window, thought that he was going to fly.
And then he saw Alison again at a hospital. Soon we learned about Alison’s idiosyncrasies and condition.
Flying Lessons has a lot of morals. It teaches you to look beyond the appearance, to look deeper. It teaches you that the grandest ambition can start in a simple dream. It teaches you love without boundaries. It tells you that even the craziest man and woman can fall in love and build dreams together.
Here’s one of the best lines or quotes I loved in the book:
Unromantic bastard. Here we are, falling in love, and you don’t even want me to hold your hand.
-Alison
The story revolved around Mr. Swann and his dream of flying someday. He asked for sleeping pills to help ease his agitation, but soon he was sent to a psychiatrist for further evaluation. The first day he went to the specialist was the first time she met Alison, in flesh and in picture.
After stealing her photograph, Swann’s previous feeling that something great was about to happen, came true. It was the start of his affair and flying lessons with Alison.
In a relationship, Swann was the type of guy who was naive, submissive and innocent. He asked the pertinent questions, he only answered Yes or No and did not further elaborate with his replies, he made sure that he pleased Alison and the other people around him.
And the other people included Mrs. Strange. She was quite a character. She stripped her clothes in front of Mr. Swann, she sorted out her birds and smoked a lot.
When Alison, one day, failed to appear at their usual rendezvous, Swann felt that he was not in control with his life. He soon stopped showing up at Mrs. Strange’s bird sanctuary, grew weary & restless. He even did breaking and entering! And the result: he jumped from a second floor window, thought that he was going to fly.
And then he saw Alison again at a hospital. Soon we learned about Alison’s idiosyncrasies and condition.
Flying Lessons has a lot of morals. It teaches you to look beyond the appearance, to look deeper. It teaches you that the grandest ambition can start in a simple dream. It teaches you love without boundaries. It tells you that even the craziest man and woman can fall in love and build dreams together.
Here’s one of the best lines or quotes I loved in the book:
Unromantic bastard. Here we are, falling in love, and you don’t even want me to hold your hand.
-Alison
May 12, 2013
A fun little romp in the land of crazy with two characters you are not likely to ever forget. Well done Francis Potts.
November 3, 2012
Loved it! Quirky and unbelievable yet believable and funny, and sad. Magical ...
August 14, 2013
This was bound to happen. As soon as I opened this book, I knew I wouldn't be able to think of anything to compare it to in this world. So like its hero Swann, I suppose I'll go and find out if I can fly. I'm quite certain I would have more success flying than I would telling you why you must buy this wondrous book. Remember Catch-22? This book is just as looney. The dialogue is so adroit that it jumps from the pages and forms pictures for you. Your neurons get yanked along and you fall down laughing aloud. As one of his characters said to the anti-hero Swann (and I pose the same question to this author), "Do you mind people thinking you are crazy and do you mind my telling you?" Or, as Catch-22 would put it: You would have to be crazy to think you could fly after stepping off a window ledge. However, once you admit that stepping is just same as jumping, you aren't crazy anymore. You're cured. Really. Go get the book and get some zany.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews