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The Pilot
After the death of his military father, a young man descends into a haze of alcohol and drug abuse. Rescued by the love of an extraordinary woman, he rebuilds his life and is able to overcome further heartache to pursue the dream of his becoming a soldier and Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot. A non-fiction memoir that explores the power and influence of love, Victoria Winters’s debut novel is also a meditation on the importance and human need for dreams.
Benjamin Patrick Johnson lives the life of an RAF officer’s son. That means he hardly ever gets to see his dad because as an RAF brigadier, his father is always away serving queen and country. When he is home, however, Benjamin’s father is a force of nature, a doting and loving father who enjoys every moment with his son—which makes his sudden death all the more devastating.
Descending into a haze of drug and alcohol abuse after his father’s death, Benjamin is quickly spiraling downward toward a terrible end…until he meets the beautiful and intelligent Daniela. She rekindles in him the dream of becoming an RAF pilot and gives him a reason to climb back into the world of the living. She is his angel—and his love. And through the ensuing vagaries, circumstances, and tragedies of life, Benjamin realizes that while those we love—and who love us—die, our dreams are what truly save us and that joining the army just might be the best path to keep his spirit alive.
An almost unbelievable accounting of one man’s difficult, seemingly insurmountable path in life, Winters’s debut novel is as uplifting as it is sobering. It is also a contemplation of the strength and resilience we must find within ourselves and that we are never alone in conquering the unavoidable ups and downs we experience. An incredible story filled with uncommon depth and character, The Pilot is a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Benjamin Patrick Johnson lives the life of an RAF officer’s son. That means he hardly ever gets to see his dad because as an RAF brigadier, his father is always away serving queen and country. When he is home, however, Benjamin’s father is a force of nature, a doting and loving father who enjoys every moment with his son—which makes his sudden death all the more devastating.
Descending into a haze of drug and alcohol abuse after his father’s death, Benjamin is quickly spiraling downward toward a terrible end…until he meets the beautiful and intelligent Daniela. She rekindles in him the dream of becoming an RAF pilot and gives him a reason to climb back into the world of the living. She is his angel—and his love. And through the ensuing vagaries, circumstances, and tragedies of life, Benjamin realizes that while those we love—and who love us—die, our dreams are what truly save us and that joining the army just might be the best path to keep his spirit alive.
An almost unbelievable accounting of one man’s difficult, seemingly insurmountable path in life, Winters’s debut novel is as uplifting as it is sobering. It is also a contemplation of the strength and resilience we must find within ourselves and that we are never alone in conquering the unavoidable ups and downs we experience. An incredible story filled with uncommon depth and character, The Pilot is a testament to the power of the human spirit.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2013
1 person is currently reading
985 people want to read
About the author
Victoria S. Winters
1 book7 followersI was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and lived there until I turned 19, that’s when I moved to London to study. I have a BA in International Hotel Management and a Master’s degree in Marketing from The University of West London, where one of my favourite musicians – Freddy Mercury used to study. A writer since childhood, I have published my poetry in my university’s magazine as well as articles on the web. A non-native speaker of English, I am inspired by authors like Nicolas Sparks and have, with the support of family and friends, achieved my goal of writing a novel in English. I am currently working on two other projects, which should be finished by the end of 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 5, 2014
An emotional, heart-breaking tale of a British Army Pilot, who learns in his journey of life that love is not a one-time thing, if you open your windows of your heart, you can again find someone special who will love you so much that slowly your loss of first-love memories will get erased. The Pilot by Victoria Winters is a painful, twisting tale of a young boy, his loss, his growing up, his fulfilment of dreams, his first-love.
Thanks to the author, Victoria Winters, for sending me over a copy of her book, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Ben was 8 years old when he lost his father, who has a pilot in the Army. Following which, he and his mom had to leave the city and shifted to London. Eventually, Ben's relationship with his mother goes sour. And slowly, he started following the darkest paths, by giving himself too much into drugs, partying and drinking type of lifestyle. On these darkest days of his life, he finds an angel, who eventually rescues him from his own demons. This angel, Daniela, immediately falls in love with Ben and hence we can see, slowly the most beautiful relationship unfolding between them. Before, everything becomes too serious Ben loses his girlfriend/soul mate in a deadly car accident. And hence his ordeal starts with the loss of Daniela, how he copes up with the loss, can he keep up her promise of joining the army or can he really fall in love another time. To figure these answers, you need to read the book.
This book is full of pain from its very first pages, generally we find happiness in the beginning then we find pain, but this book begins with way too much pain, in fact in a way quite sensitive. But very slowly the layers of pain are removed from Ben's life. Happiness comes to him in form of an angel who rescues him but then again, he loses her and there is more pain, eventually the author gives him happiness in the end. The story-telling by the author is really very wonderful and true and realistic. The chemistry between Daniela and Ben is so perfect, that you'll feel falling in love all over again. The characters were a perfect blend to the storyline, making it more justified.
A painful love-story, and after losing someone special, how hard it is to let them go from your heart, read this book and find out.
Thanks to the author, Victoria Winters, for sending me over a copy of her book, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Ben was 8 years old when he lost his father, who has a pilot in the Army. Following which, he and his mom had to leave the city and shifted to London. Eventually, Ben's relationship with his mother goes sour. And slowly, he started following the darkest paths, by giving himself too much into drugs, partying and drinking type of lifestyle. On these darkest days of his life, he finds an angel, who eventually rescues him from his own demons. This angel, Daniela, immediately falls in love with Ben and hence we can see, slowly the most beautiful relationship unfolding between them. Before, everything becomes too serious Ben loses his girlfriend/soul mate in a deadly car accident. And hence his ordeal starts with the loss of Daniela, how he copes up with the loss, can he keep up her promise of joining the army or can he really fall in love another time. To figure these answers, you need to read the book.
This book is full of pain from its very first pages, generally we find happiness in the beginning then we find pain, but this book begins with way too much pain, in fact in a way quite sensitive. But very slowly the layers of pain are removed from Ben's life. Happiness comes to him in form of an angel who rescues him but then again, he loses her and there is more pain, eventually the author gives him happiness in the end. The story-telling by the author is really very wonderful and true and realistic. The chemistry between Daniela and Ben is so perfect, that you'll feel falling in love all over again. The characters were a perfect blend to the storyline, making it more justified.
A painful love-story, and after losing someone special, how hard it is to let them go from your heart, read this book and find out.
February 1, 2014
I won this book though Goodreads First Reads. All in all i liked the storyline though i didn't find it very creative. It reminded me of "A walk to remember" and had a lot of predictable moments. And there was way too many "American moments" with "I love you", "You are my savior and angel" and "You fill my soul with happiness". It was from time to time annoying and cliché. Luckily the storyline took a new turn for the better towards the end and therefore deserves every star.
January 27, 2014
Personally, I think that this book is not about love story. It is about the people who change your life and your own motivation to change your life. The book can help you to discover yourself and your personality, to set up your goals and make your dreams happen.
I would love to reccommend 'The Pilot' to everyone who is looking for book which can help him to discover the aspects of life and relax in a good company.
I would love to reccommend 'The Pilot' to everyone who is looking for book which can help him to discover the aspects of life and relax in a good company.
August 1, 2015
I received this book through Goodreads First Read. It was a nice easy lecture, filled with moments of every emotional range. There where moments where I got mad, or sad, or happy. A bit too much for my taste of romanticism and like somebody else said "American movie moments" but nonetheless a nice reading. The fact that english is not the first language of the writer is admirable. To pull out 162 pages of a coeherent story in a foreign english is not that easy. I'd recommend it mostly for teenagers. I'm pretty sure they'd go crazy over it! Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading it!
January 31, 2014
I can't recommend this enough! I have to say though don't read this in the middle of school like I did. I had major eyeliner issues and basically cried for the rest of the day! The characters are really genuine and Winters' melancholy writing style got my eyes watering after the first few pages. It was so magical but make sure you read it in private to save embarassment haha :D
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews