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Winterflight
Imagine an America not too many years distant. An America that seems perfect on the surface, but whose ethical underpinnings have totally collapsed. An America where abortion is the rule for imperfect fetuses and euthanasia is mandatory at age 75. Jon and Grace Stanton's allegiance to God is about to be put to the ultimate test in this future society. As they struggle to protect two members of their family from the laws of the land, they must rely on each other and their faith as they never have before. This novel, first published in 1981, seems increasingly predictive in its description of a world where morality is dictated by technology rather than the Word of God.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 14, 2010
Let me just tell you right now, I am a happy-ending only person and, if you are like me, you will probably not like this book. It has an absolutely HORRIBLE ending! It did have some swear words that I am not to fond of, and I would not recommend this book to anyone.
May 14, 2009
This book was definitely an easy read. It opens your mind to where society could possibly go. Overall, a very good story.
February 19, 2016
A thought-provoking story. Published in 1981, it tells of government taking over America and requiring imperfect fetuses to be aborted and a euthanasia lottery for those over 75.
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February 8, 2020Fiction Story:
The Stanton family in this dystopian christian fiction story is facing trouble from two sides. Their 6-year-old son, Stephen is a hemophiliac. When the government finds out, they are ordered to bring him to the "Center for Life Support Systems" the organ factory. Stephen's Grandfather, George is 75 years old and has just received his letter of termination.
The Stanton family is not about to accept the fate that has been set for them. They attempt a number of things to ovoid what may ultimately be inevitable.
Christian Story:
The sorrow of this story is buoyed only be the faith of the characters. Even though the circumstances are dire, hope abounds; maybe the government will not rule harshly concerning Stephen; maybe Stephen can be healed; maybe the family can flee the country. Even if hope is pushed all the way to its bounds, at least there is always an assurance of heaven.
Have you ever had to ask yourself the question that Grace Stanton pondered?
"she wondered which she would choose: a child who would live to old age, and be eternally lost; or a child who would die at an early age, and go to be with Jesus?"
Themes Touched on (to name a few):
Obedience to government vs God:
I saw in some reviews how readers were astonished by the seemingly lack of outrage that many of the characters had concerning their "societal norms" but I feel it was a very realistic depiction of how the human psyche can normalize almost anything. On top of that, the bible tells us to obey and honor the government appointed over us. To me, the characters, or at least the Stantons, seem to feel trapped, and helpless.
Name it & Claim it:
Of course the Stantons tried a faith healer. Wouldn't you? It did not work and the so called healers blamed the Stantons for not having enough faith. I know its just a story but it was maddening because it's something that happens in real life too, often turning people away from faith altogether. Gladly it did not deter the Stantons from true faith.
Hope:
Which never fails! Go look up Romans 5: 3-5 Never mind it's right here.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
I do not want to spoil this one, so I'll end saying that we never know what will befall us, or else be foisted upon us from day to day, let a lone over the course of our lives. But through it all we know that we have a hope worthy of resting on. An ultimate and eternal hope.
The Stanton family in this dystopian christian fiction story is facing trouble from two sides. Their 6-year-old son, Stephen is a hemophiliac. When the government finds out, they are ordered to bring him to the "Center for Life Support Systems" the organ factory. Stephen's Grandfather, George is 75 years old and has just received his letter of termination.
The Stanton family is not about to accept the fate that has been set for them. They attempt a number of things to ovoid what may ultimately be inevitable.
Christian Story:
The sorrow of this story is buoyed only be the faith of the characters. Even though the circumstances are dire, hope abounds; maybe the government will not rule harshly concerning Stephen; maybe Stephen can be healed; maybe the family can flee the country. Even if hope is pushed all the way to its bounds, at least there is always an assurance of heaven.
Have you ever had to ask yourself the question that Grace Stanton pondered?
"she wondered which she would choose: a child who would live to old age, and be eternally lost; or a child who would die at an early age, and go to be with Jesus?"
Themes Touched on (to name a few):
Obedience to government vs God:
I saw in some reviews how readers were astonished by the seemingly lack of outrage that many of the characters had concerning their "societal norms" but I feel it was a very realistic depiction of how the human psyche can normalize almost anything. On top of that, the bible tells us to obey and honor the government appointed over us. To me, the characters, or at least the Stantons, seem to feel trapped, and helpless.
Name it & Claim it:
Of course the Stantons tried a faith healer. Wouldn't you? It did not work and the so called healers blamed the Stantons for not having enough faith. I know its just a story but it was maddening because it's something that happens in real life too, often turning people away from faith altogether. Gladly it did not deter the Stantons from true faith.
Hope:
Which never fails! Go look up Romans 5: 3-5 Never mind it's right here.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
I do not want to spoil this one, so I'll end saying that we never know what will befall us, or else be foisted upon us from day to day, let a lone over the course of our lives. But through it all we know that we have a hope worthy of resting on. An ultimate and eternal hope.
June 7, 2017
honestly this book was doomed from the start for me with how it was set up & written. but i can look past that if it's promising with its results. & this book, it wasn't promising at all. my overall beef with this book is how it ended. 1.) it made no sense. it came out of left field & didn't have to happen. 2.) it contradicts everything you read about previously. george and, more so, stephen become top priority to keep alive. george wants to live for his wife, grace & jon want to keep stephen, a young kid, from the organ factory without having to lose him forever. so ideally, you don't end to book with a murder suicide & call it resolved? & 3.) it just kind of leaves everyone else with a big question mark next to their name. it's totally unresolved & seemed like a fast & poorly done excuse to end the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2018
This book was written in 1981 and looks ahead 30 years or so, making it close to the present. The author had a lot of the technological advances correct, although he used different terminology for them. In the future world, sick fetuses are aborted, sick children are sent to “organ factories” and the elderly are sent to “thanotels” where they are euthanized at the age of 75. Sounds like some of the outrageous thinking of certain factions today! Perhaps this is what the world is moving towards! This book views it all through the eyes of a Christian family and their struggle to understand and accept their fates. I found the book to drag at times with the author stating and restating the same things. A better author could have had more success with making it a more solid and satisfying read.
August 28, 2017
An enjoyable read, the plot gripped me from the beginning and I immediately became curious to see how the book would end. (I read the entire book in one sitting, in about 4-5 hours) The most interesting thing about the book was the author's purpose in writing it, which does not become clear until you read the "afterword" beyond the conclusion of the book. The author's purpose is, in some ways, a parallel of God's own purpose in our lives. We may not understand why certain things happen in our lives, but that doesn't change the fact that God has a purpose through everything, even though it may not make any sense at all until we meet Him at the end of this life. A must read for any believer.
July 18, 2022
This is a Christian dystopian book written in 1981, by the author of The Gospel Blimp.
He questions some Christians’ unthinking obedience and trust in government rules and regs. In that, there are some recent lessons to consider and ponder. He had some insight in the progression of thought with our country’s acceptance and compliance with R vs W. Some world powers are going down this road behind doors and some in the open.
It is a bit of a time capsule piece.
I find the ending a problem.
It is a worthwhile read.
He questions some Christians’ unthinking obedience and trust in government rules and regs. In that, there are some recent lessons to consider and ponder. He had some insight in the progression of thought with our country’s acceptance and compliance with R vs W. Some world powers are going down this road behind doors and some in the open.
It is a bit of a time capsule piece.
I find the ending a problem.
It is a worthwhile read.
April 6, 2024
I really enjoyed the book up until the ending. The totalitarian government was completely relatable especially since the covid lockdowns.
Unfortunately the hopelessness and actions taken at the end do not align with biblical values. I do not recommend this book.
Unfortunately the hopelessness and actions taken at the end do not align with biblical values. I do not recommend this book.
July 31, 2024
Thought provoking and tragic. It was an interesting read that made me wonder if our society is heading into disaster with how things are going.
I read this book years ago and re-read it because I remembered finding it worth reading but couldn’t remember the story very well other than the ending.
I read this book years ago and re-read it because I remembered finding it worth reading but couldn’t remember the story very well other than the ending.
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July 26, 2020Excellent look at the end times. Makes you really think. I would highly recommend this book.
October 19, 2012
This is an odd book. It's a poorly written novel that is prescient, and has the seeds of a greater novel within it.
It's the future, and in the United States eugenics holds sway. Kids who have genetic conditions not only get aborted at birth, if they somehow make it to life, they risk discovery and a quick braindeath in the organ banks. Older people enter a euthanasia lottery at age 75, and when their number is up, they head to a thanotel to die. In this world, one family's hemophiliac son risks death, a doctor risks imprisonment for helping them, and a grandfather confronts the fact his number is up.
It's not well written at all. Clumsy prose, a lack of character consistency, and not much introspection make for a tedious read even with it's short length. But considering this book was written in 1981, it's oddly prescient in predicting genetic selection and abortion, and the euthanasia lottery becomes chilling not so much because of the characters, but because it's understated and realistic. Again, while it's not done particularly well, the characters react well to the dilemma, with double standards, and there's no "mark of the beast" hysteria.
It's the ending though that has the seeds for another book, and it's controversial enough to warrant an explanatory letter in the end. The grandfather tries desperately to get the child and his family overseas. In a twist which is hard to believe, and feels like another book, the family that had spent so much effort hiding the kid is hesitant about leaving the USA, and you can feel despite their feelings, they may give the kid up to the organ banks.
The grandfather is unable to get his passport renewed in time, and begs the family to have one last vacation with the boy. In a VERY unexpected scene, the grandfather walks with the child into the sea, ending both their lives. A murder-suicide ends the book.
The last part has the potential for a much greater story in it. There's so much that could have been discussed out of it that was neglected that it's frustrating. The kind of despair that would cause a Christian to do this, the problems of just and unjust death, and how something as powerful as inconvenience or comfort could lead to people rationalizing giving up their kid to the banks would have made for an explosive book. Sadly it's unrealized, and this book remains a bad novel with potential to the end.
It's the future, and in the United States eugenics holds sway. Kids who have genetic conditions not only get aborted at birth, if they somehow make it to life, they risk discovery and a quick braindeath in the organ banks. Older people enter a euthanasia lottery at age 75, and when their number is up, they head to a thanotel to die. In this world, one family's hemophiliac son risks death, a doctor risks imprisonment for helping them, and a grandfather confronts the fact his number is up.
It's not well written at all. Clumsy prose, a lack of character consistency, and not much introspection make for a tedious read even with it's short length. But considering this book was written in 1981, it's oddly prescient in predicting genetic selection and abortion, and the euthanasia lottery becomes chilling not so much because of the characters, but because it's understated and realistic. Again, while it's not done particularly well, the characters react well to the dilemma, with double standards, and there's no "mark of the beast" hysteria.
It's the ending though that has the seeds for another book, and it's controversial enough to warrant an explanatory letter in the end. The grandfather tries desperately to get the child and his family overseas. In a twist which is hard to believe, and feels like another book, the family that had spent so much effort hiding the kid is hesitant about leaving the USA, and you can feel despite their feelings, they may give the kid up to the organ banks.
The grandfather is unable to get his passport renewed in time, and begs the family to have one last vacation with the boy. In a VERY unexpected scene, the grandfather walks with the child into the sea, ending both their lives. A murder-suicide ends the book.
The last part has the potential for a much greater story in it. There's so much that could have been discussed out of it that was neglected that it's frustrating. The kind of despair that would cause a Christian to do this, the problems of just and unjust death, and how something as powerful as inconvenience or comfort could lead to people rationalizing giving up their kid to the banks would have made for an explosive book. Sadly it's unrealized, and this book remains a bad novel with potential to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2015
A thought provoking book dealing with the issues of euthanasia, and attitudes towards the elderly, and the disabled. In America in the future, the law requires those over the age of 75 to be euthanized, and imperfect babies to be aborted. Aborted babies are sent to the 'organ factory' or 'thanotel', to have their organs and body parts harvested over a number of years. A Christian family tries to protect two members of their family from this law, and struggle with what the Bible directs them to do: obey the law of the land, or try to save their loved ones. Dissenters are sent to prison; analogies are made to the time of Hitler. I wouldn't say they really answer the questions which are posed in the book, but they do cause one to think. Particularly with the assisted suicide law passed recently in Canada, and the law proposed to restrict physician's right to act according to their conscience, it's a timely book - written over 30 years ago. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because I thought it could have delved into the Christian answers to the questions a bit more, and stood more authoritatively on the Bible in terms of evolutionary ideas - but perhaps the author wanted to give us 'hints' and have readers wrestle it through themselves.
July 26, 2010
This was a great book - I was floored that it was wrote in 1981 because this book was wrote so far ahead in time even then that its truly scary you can see the world heading in this direction. I don't know if I agree with the end, but I appreciate the letter in later editions that the Author attaches to explain why he ended the book the way he did, that he felt the letter at the end to the reader was necessary since he received such outspoken feedback when it was first released. Anyway, great book, quick read...gives you a lot to think about and pray about as well.
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November 26, 2011
i enjoyed the book but i'm a bit confused at the end.. why not getting their dignity and live more years of life and why suicide?? i thought a miracle was going to happen but it now surely did not. i guess the lesson might be 'miracles not just happen, you've got to believe it'll happen' which grace surely did not have faith it'll happen, or it might be 'miracles do not happen for all'.
but i love the novel as well even though there has been so much questions in my mind, it was quite a good story :)
but i love the novel as well even though there has been so much questions in my mind, it was quite a good story :)
July 22, 2016
Winterflight has to be one of the most disappointing books I’ve read in a long time.
One of the big problems (for me) was that the parents do very little near the end to try save their son. While the grandfather tries everything he can think of to save his grandson, and himself.
I really hated the ending. At first I thought the grandfather was going to run away with his grandson, hire a boat and just sail away. The fact that he kills them both makes me feel cheated.
I’m sure there must have been a better way to end this story.
One of the big problems (for me) was that the parents do very little near the end to try save their son. While the grandfather tries everything he can think of to save his grandson, and himself.
I really hated the ending. At first I thought the grandfather was going to run away with his grandson, hire a boat and just sail away. The fact that he kills them both makes me feel cheated.
I’m sure there must have been a better way to end this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2008
A tale I hope will not happen in my lifetime, but it could. In a society that no longer values life, a grandfather who is scheduled to die painlessly by his government because of his age, handles in his own way his sick grandson's similar government appointment. In this society, those who have diseases that require too much medical attention also get their euthanasia appointments.
August 24, 2023
A quick read. Not a lot of detail or fluff, but good meat in this straightforward story to chew on. Tough subject matter. Is a physically challenged person valuable? (YES!!!) Feels timely, frightening and maddening.
March 17, 2009
We are not very far from this happening in our country. Makes you think.
Read
November 20, 2009TERRIBLE!!!
November 4, 2010
I read this book probably 10 years ago, but it is one of my favorites. A new 25th anniversary edition is available. Check it out.
February 3, 2013
A powerful and disturbing story that I'll be thinking about for a long time. Some of the writing was a little stilted, especially conversations.
Want to read
July 6, 2013sad story.,.,T_T
June 16, 2010
Made me stop and think. It also made me cry!
January 10, 2011
haunting.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews