The Sky Was Ours

by Joe Fassler

From prizewinning writer Joe Fassler comes a brilliant modern reimagining of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus as a story of obsession, longing, and the radical pursuit of utopia

It’s 2005, and 24-year-old Jane is miserable. Overworked, buried in debt, she senses the life she wanted slipping away—while the world around her veers badly off course, hurtling toward economic and ecological collapse. She wants to find something better. But she has no idea where to start.

In a sudden and unprecedented burst of rebellion, Jane decides to abandon everything she knows, leaving behind her relationships and responsibilities to go on the road. That’s how she meets Barry, a brilliant and charismatic recluse living on an isolated homestead near New York’s Canadian border. For years, in secret, Barry’s chased an unlikely obsession: to build a pair of wings humans can fly in, with designs inspired by an obscure precursor to the Wright Brothers. It’s no mere hobby. He’s convinced his dream of flight will spark a revolution, delivering us from the degradation of modern capitalism and the climate chaos that awaits us.

Jane is captivated by Barry’s radical vision, even as his experiments become more dangerous. But she’s equally drawn to the enigmatic Ike, Barry’s gentle, thoughtful son, who’s known no other reality—and who only wants to keep his father alive, tethered to ground and to reason.

So begins an inventive, dazzlingly beautiful story about the human desire for transcendence—our longing to escape the mundane and glide into a euphoric future. Inspired by the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, The Sky Was Ours is a powerful and imaginative debut that explores the question: If you had access to technology that allowed you to escape the confines of your life, would you use it? And if Barry’s wings really could change the world, would that be freedom?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Retellings, Mythology, Adult

464 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Joe Fassler is author of The Sky Was Ours, a novel published by Penguin Books in 2024. He also edited Light the Dark: Writers on Creativity, Inspiration, and the Artistic Process, a collection that built on his "By Heart" series of author interviews for The Atlantic. He currently lives in Denver.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I’m supposed to feel profoundly moved by this novel. Not so much for me. The yearning to “be free” from societal norms — to fly and be free just didn’t resonate with me.

[Lily L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I’m a little biased because I used to babysit for Joe, but I really enjoyed this book. The story was such a unique take on the tale of Icarus & stood out from a lot of the fiction I’ve read recently.

[Theresa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page-turner! Gorgeously written. Wonderfully well-drawn characters. Both an engrossing story and a thought-provoking plot that ponders some of the biggest questions of our time. Highly recommend.

[Sara Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautifully written books that I’ve read. I really enjoyed it.

[Lani Hack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew it was inspired by the myth of Icarus so I don’t know why I was surprised when everything started to fall apart…

[Tiffany Seifert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so shocked that this got such good reviews. The idea of the wings really caught my attention in the beginning but by the end of the book I was upset that I had wasted my time reading this.

[Christina Borgoyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of 2024.

[Jessica Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, gripping, and gorgeous descriptive writing. A very unique and original story. I thoroughly enjoyed The Sky Was Ours and would highly recommend it. The writing just kept getting better as I continued to read, and I became more and more unable to put it down. This author is one that I would absolutely love to read more from. His writing was captivating and beautiful. He is truly talented.

[Charlie Lowrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third of this was a five star book that spoke directly to my soul. The middle third was three stars, interesting but take it or leave it. The last third was back to four stars, poetic and thought provoking but perhaps missing some small crucial element. Regardless, some great prose throughout, beautiful poetic lines, even if you didn’t quite care what was happening in the story. A solid debut for a local Denver author, I look forward to Joe Fassler’s next book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sky Was Ours captures the yearning of being human and the yearning of existing in humanity - in prose that lingers even after the page has turned. A brilliant and triumphant read.

[Star Zhang · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. This did not need to be 464 pages

[مريم القحطاني · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no doubt that Sky Was Ours is a very well written novel. The descriptive writing is exceptional and the style is poetic and the language is exquisite. There’s no shortness of talent when reviewing this work. That being said, this is precisely the novel’s weakest link.

Descriptive language: though enjoyable for the most part, it is dense and robs the reader their own imagination. After creating the setting, we are constantly reminded of the setting, as if the writer wants the reader to see exactly what he is seeing, instead of image. The writer works too hard, as though he does not trust the reader.

Characters as symbols rather than people: Barry feel artificia and exaggerated and the protagonist feels too neatly shaped. Both are working to serve the objective of the novel. For example, the protagonist is working to serve the plot and Barry is working to serve the themes. Neither is emotionally compelling. The protagonist’s sudden and complete transition into the wild makes little to no sense, specifically because she does not reflect or long for her previous life. There is no conflict whatsoever which makes her feel less than authentic and naturally evolving. She is too preoccupied with Barry and Barry is too preoccupied with his invention.
Overly intellectualized themes: I am a fan of intellectual novels, hence I am a big fan of Ayan Rand and Milan Kundera, and the list goes on. But the novel is heavily rooted in the myth of (Daedalus & Icarus) with ideas of ambition, capitalism, climate change, technology, etc. These theme felt overbearing or unsubtle. It made the novel feel more like a thesis than a story.

Dialogue: feels less than organic, revolving mainly around Barry’s obsession. Not a single moment did I care about the dialogue because I predicted it.

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dazzling, Thought-Provoking Debut

Joe Fassler’s The Sky Was Ours is a breathtaking, deeply resonant novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. More than just a story, it’s a gripping, beautifully crafted exploration of ambition, obsession, and the limits of human aspiration.

From the very first pages, I was immersed in Jane’s journey. Fassler masterfully captures her desperation and longing, making her decision to abandon everything feel both inevitable and exhilarating.

With lyrical prose and a pulse-pounding narrative, Fassler seamlessly blends the intimate and the expansive, the personal and the universal. The novel delves into themes of climate change, capitalism, and the unyielding human desire to transcend our limitations. Every page is infused with urgency, yet the writing remains stunningly poetic.

The Sky Was Ours deserves to be widely read, discussed, and celebrated.

[Em B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't understate how much I loved the writing in this as much as the story. I was completely taken aback by how relatable the character's thoughts and feelings were. I felt like i was reading my own private thoughts and feelings. I had to read this slowly as I often paused to admire and reread the writing and kind of just sit in awe of how relatable it was. I read a lot of this book out loud to my partner as so much of the character's experience felt like my own, and there were words for experiences I never had the ability to explain before. I look forward to his future work. This really felt like it was written from personal experience.

[Karinna Maldonado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind, but even if I hadn’t, I think it still would have surprised me. The premise is unique, and I was surprised more than once by how the story unfolded. What I especially appreciated was the underlying message and the questions it raises about meaning and purpose. Each character is reaching for something different they believe will make their life feel complete.

Although I empathized with the main character’s desire to escape and search for a "fre-er" life, she wasn't a very likable character. Her choices were often misguided, and while that can be frustrating, I also recognize that this also makes her feel very real. The characters aren’t written to be conventionally “likable, instead they’re complex, messy, and deeply human in ways that make you feel frustrated and sad.

At times, you find yourself rooting for the impossible and questioning what “good” could even look like for these characters. That tension is part of what makes the book so thought-provoking. I think it would make a fantastic pick for a book club since there are so many angles for discussion.

[KATHY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Friend of a friend (Jane) relative is the author. Slight dystopian theme but more about people caught up in a passion and not able to see the downside. Had to read to the end because couldn’t imagine an ending. Themes of love and commitment to others, responsibility to humanity. It’s about a girl trying to find herself who disappears and discovers a genius who can build wings that allow people to fly.

[Amy Alyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I was between 3-4 stars here. It felt a bit dry at moments, but ultimately the experience reading it is immersive. Deep into the book, you forget where the main character even came from—what she was escaping. All in all, I like the conclusion of the book and it’s message that there is no simple escape that doesn’t come with its own set of harms and that we as humans depend on each other.

[Tina Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decently written, except that it was repetitious in spots. I had trouble getting past the fact that I dis not like the main character, who seemed overly self-absorbed, to say noting of what she did to her parents. It did hold my interest, even though it was way longer than it needed to be.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some beautiful prose and ideas. The overall conceit of one man with his fervor for the seemingly-impossible drawing other people into his ‘madness’ was the most interesting aspect. I do think the ending was rushed.

[Staci Suhy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤯

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, and an interesting story, but surprisingly depressing.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is long but kept me interested the whole time. Several characters wanted something strongly, and one character was learning what they wanted along the way. Can we fly? Is it worth it?

[Helen L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the cinematic descriptions of flying. Can't wait for the movie! Spielberg needs to read this one.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there were a few elements of this story that annoyed me, I enjoyed it overall.

[Ella Hobler · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really loved this book. it was beautifully written and i related to jane more than i’d like to admit. also loved the descriptions of ithaca at the beginning as an Ithaca alum :)

[Jeanette Lukens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of an odd book, but a few key parts were fantastic.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much to think about in this book.