What do you think?
Rate this book
Flying Lessons
Henry and his daughter, Chandra, are stuck. Haunted by the past, they sleepwalk through life until unexpected relationships shake up their perceptions of reality. Henry's new friendship with a neighbor blurs the boundaries between the living and the dead, and Chandra starts to see possibilities she's never noticed before.
- GenresFictionContemporary
296 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2012
73 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 6, 2012
It's always nice to step away from a book type and experience something different. I have found that amazing difference in Flying Lessons. Most of the books I love to read are very paranormal. Flying Lessons is a heart warming story with just a small touch of the paranormal, in the shape of ghosts, or "left over spirits".
This is the story of Chandra Melken, who lost her mother in her teen years, leaving her to be raised by her father, Henry. Henry is bookish by nature and tends to be antisocial and get lost in his own world, making it tough to raise a teenager. Chandra is now twenty-nine and taking care of her father, who is sixty-six. Both characters live, and act, much older than their age. They are stuck in a life-rut. Henry still hasn't recovered from the death of his wife, the only sparkle in his dull world, and Chandra has spent so much of her life caring for her father she hasn't created one for herself.
Both of their lives are about to change. For Henry, it's in the form of Rosa, their next door neighbor. Rosa's husband died a year ago and she still believes he's here, with her. Rosa and Henry begin to spend time together, helping each other to be social again, but can Henry compete with Rosa's husband. And is he still here, in ghost form?
For Chandra it's in the form of a musician she meets one night out when she's trying to actively change her life. Zade teaches Chandra all the beautiful, and slightly different than what she is used to, things that the world has to offer. He helps her to open her eyes.
When Henry and Chandra keep seeing Chandra's mother around the house they're not sure what to do. Can it be real? Why is she here now? Guess you'll just have to read the book to find out why! I was not paid for this review, all the opinions expressed here are my own and were in no way swayed. Thank you for taking the time to read. -Melissa
This is the story of Chandra Melken, who lost her mother in her teen years, leaving her to be raised by her father, Henry. Henry is bookish by nature and tends to be antisocial and get lost in his own world, making it tough to raise a teenager. Chandra is now twenty-nine and taking care of her father, who is sixty-six. Both characters live, and act, much older than their age. They are stuck in a life-rut. Henry still hasn't recovered from the death of his wife, the only sparkle in his dull world, and Chandra has spent so much of her life caring for her father she hasn't created one for herself.
Both of their lives are about to change. For Henry, it's in the form of Rosa, their next door neighbor. Rosa's husband died a year ago and she still believes he's here, with her. Rosa and Henry begin to spend time together, helping each other to be social again, but can Henry compete with Rosa's husband. And is he still here, in ghost form?
For Chandra it's in the form of a musician she meets one night out when she's trying to actively change her life. Zade teaches Chandra all the beautiful, and slightly different than what she is used to, things that the world has to offer. He helps her to open her eyes.
When Henry and Chandra keep seeing Chandra's mother around the house they're not sure what to do. Can it be real? Why is she here now? Guess you'll just have to read the book to find out why! I was not paid for this review, all the opinions expressed here are my own and were in no way swayed. Thank you for taking the time to read. -Melissa
June 16, 2012
This is a very beautiful story with so many lessons. Chandra and her father Henry have simply existed since her mother's death 16 years ago. Chandra was a 13 year old full of life and a sense of adventure when her mother died, to the point where she thought she should probably try flying just to see if she could. Fast forward to 16 years later and she simply exists, going through every day the same way she did the day before.
Henry on the other hand is racked with the guilt of not stopping to smell the roses with his family. He worked extra hard to give them material things thinking he'd have enough time to spend with them later. His wife's sudden death takes that opportunity away. When he retires he finds himself old and lonely, with nothing and no one to fill his days.
Unexpected relationships sudden transform their lives. Chandra finds someone with whom she can live and Henry finds company in a neighbor who pretends that her dead husband is still alive. Eerie experiences with their dead loved one's ghosts remind them that they must move on and LIVE.
The book is very well written, the story line moves along seamlessly and culminates beautifully. The characters are well developed and it is easy to identify with them. The author shows great talent and I look forward to reading her other books. The book was truly unputdownable for me and I read it in one sitting (excluding the first chapter which I read the night before)
A note for my Christian Followers:
This book does contain a bit of Transcendental Meditation. Our heroine is brought into it by her boyfriend who encourages her to embrace the notion that she can fly (levitate). If this bothers you, then I'd say don't read the book. However, if you can remember that this is fiction, it will make a great light read.
Henry on the other hand is racked with the guilt of not stopping to smell the roses with his family. He worked extra hard to give them material things thinking he'd have enough time to spend with them later. His wife's sudden death takes that opportunity away. When he retires he finds himself old and lonely, with nothing and no one to fill his days.
Unexpected relationships sudden transform their lives. Chandra finds someone with whom she can live and Henry finds company in a neighbor who pretends that her dead husband is still alive. Eerie experiences with their dead loved one's ghosts remind them that they must move on and LIVE.
The book is very well written, the story line moves along seamlessly and culminates beautifully. The characters are well developed and it is easy to identify with them. The author shows great talent and I look forward to reading her other books. The book was truly unputdownable for me and I read it in one sitting (excluding the first chapter which I read the night before)
A note for my Christian Followers:
This book does contain a bit of Transcendental Meditation. Our heroine is brought into it by her boyfriend who encourages her to embrace the notion that she can fly (levitate). If this bothers you, then I'd say don't read the book. However, if you can remember that this is fiction, it will make a great light read.
September 5, 2012
3.5. I really liked the storyline in Flying Lessons. From a lot of books, you might get the picture that a love story is only for the young. There are two love stories in Flying Lessons and while one does deal with a young couple, the other story deals with two older widowers finding love again after their spouses pass away. It was definitely refreshing to see that love comes in all different shapes, sizes, and of course, ages.
This story is about coping with loss and forging a way forward. Henry loses a loving wife and Chandra loses a loving mother when Ava dies. It takes both of them a very (very, very) long time to totally deal with her death. While I understand that when you lose someone very close to you that you never really get over it (been there, done that more times than I would have liked too unfortunately), you do move forward. The timing of the book just seemed strange. When Chandra and Henry begin their respective love affairs, Ava has been gone for over a decade. While I realize that you would definitely still think of a spouse or a parent who passed away after that amount of time, I didn't really understand from the book why Chandra and Henry seemed so stymied in their growth.
The writing in this book is decent. At first, there was a little more telling rather than showing. We learn exactly what the characters typically say what they are feeling rather than showing through their actions at the beginning of the story and things felt a bit forced. However, the story eventually evens out and finds its stride in a very pleasing and enjoyable way.
This story also has a little taste of magical realism, an effect that I really loved. This element is where the title of the book comes from. It's subtle but it definitely adds a lot to the story.
Bottom line: This is a great book for those who love a subtle love story!
This story is about coping with loss and forging a way forward. Henry loses a loving wife and Chandra loses a loving mother when Ava dies. It takes both of them a very (very, very) long time to totally deal with her death. While I understand that when you lose someone very close to you that you never really get over it (been there, done that more times than I would have liked too unfortunately), you do move forward. The timing of the book just seemed strange. When Chandra and Henry begin their respective love affairs, Ava has been gone for over a decade. While I realize that you would definitely still think of a spouse or a parent who passed away after that amount of time, I didn't really understand from the book why Chandra and Henry seemed so stymied in their growth.
The writing in this book is decent. At first, there was a little more telling rather than showing. We learn exactly what the characters typically say what they are feeling rather than showing through their actions at the beginning of the story and things felt a bit forced. However, the story eventually evens out and finds its stride in a very pleasing and enjoyable way.
This story also has a little taste of magical realism, an effect that I really loved. This element is where the title of the book comes from. It's subtle but it definitely adds a lot to the story.
Bottom line: This is a great book for those who love a subtle love story!
August 2, 2012
Flying Lessons is a quick read but this doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Each chapter switches from the point of view of Henry to Chandra and I particularly enjoyed Henry’s story throughout, especially as his relationship with Rosa develops, despite his seemingly madcap obsession with her dead husband still being alive.
This novel deals cleverly and believably with grief and how it can completely destroy a person. It also deals with hope and how finding a companion, friend or lover can seriously change your perspective on life and make it much more than it ever was before. Simple processes and every day thoughts but Bettison portrays them in a kind and subtle way which makes both Henry and Chandra extremely endearing and enjoyable characters.
There is a paranormal edge to this story as it reaches its climax which may sell it to some readers but not to me, as I was far more interested in the human interest side of this tale which Bettison puts across beautifully. This novel really shows how the arrival of just one individual in your life can change it completely and this is a really powerful message, put across in a concise and well written manner by a talented author.
This novel deals cleverly and believably with grief and how it can completely destroy a person. It also deals with hope and how finding a companion, friend or lover can seriously change your perspective on life and make it much more than it ever was before. Simple processes and every day thoughts but Bettison portrays them in a kind and subtle way which makes both Henry and Chandra extremely endearing and enjoyable characters.
There is a paranormal edge to this story as it reaches its climax which may sell it to some readers but not to me, as I was far more interested in the human interest side of this tale which Bettison puts across beautifully. This novel really shows how the arrival of just one individual in your life can change it completely and this is a really powerful message, put across in a concise and well written manner by a talented author.
June 29, 2016
The story of learning to accept the loss of a mother, a wife a husband, and finding a way to move on.. This story was beautifully written. I won a giveaway from the author and she included in the package a copy of this book, what I loved most was that she hand wrote little notes throughout the book about things happening and what inspired it. Or why she wrote it in the story.. It made it more personal for me and helped me understand the story a lot better. It is definitely a book I will be recommending
June 9, 2020
Chandra is leading a boring and disjointed life with her father. Both of them still mourn Ava, Chandra's mother.
The neighbor Rosa and Henry start spending time together, even though Rosa still sees her dead husband John.
There are many unusual things happening with John, Ava and Zane, Chandra's new boyfriend.
The meaning of the title is not clear until the end of the book. The story seems very disjointed and seems to have some "filler" chapters that don't really fit.
The neighbor Rosa and Henry start spending time together, even though Rosa still sees her dead husband John.
There are many unusual things happening with John, Ava and Zane, Chandra's new boyfriend.
The meaning of the title is not clear until the end of the book. The story seems very disjointed and seems to have some "filler" chapters that don't really fit.
March 30, 2021
Awww what a nice book and sweet ending. I appreciated the struggles of each of the characters and liked how the loss of their loved ones (Henry and Chandra-wife/mom; Zade-his parent; Rosa-husband) was what helped build their relationships. I was cynical in that I kept thinking Chandra's interactions with Barney were going to turn into a not so pleasant story line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2023
Learning to feel whole again following the loss of family can take years to develop new routines.
Chandra and Henry continued similar routines with walking on eggshells after Eva died. Time and grief allowed support of friends and community to help them both when they were ready to love again. Interesting characters and storyline.
Chandra and Henry continued similar routines with walking on eggshells after Eva died. Time and grief allowed support of friends and community to help them both when they were ready to love again. Interesting characters and storyline.
October 20, 2017
Review
I was initially intrigued by the story, but never could bond with the characters in the book. I probably won't by any more by this author.
I was initially intrigued by the story, but never could bond with the characters in the book. I probably won't by any more by this author.
July 16, 2016
This really IS something a little bit different and I liked it!
Henry is still just going through the motions of life. Losing his wife has sucked all the joy from his existance. His quiet grief and daily gloom of depression caused by the feeling that he didnt appreciate the value of his life with Ava in it.
Meanwhile, his daughter Chandra is shy, has made a bunch of safe choices, has a sensible (boring) job, seemingly only one friend, rarely goes out and is uptight when she does. She wants something different but is too afraid to make it happen.
They both sense a presence in their home that reminds them of Ava (wife/mother) and think that she has something to tell them, yet neither of them speak about it and they both feel that they are drifting apart.
Up to this point, the story is sad, depressing even, it seems like there is no way forward for either of them.
The catalyst for them both is getting to know someone new.. they each discover a friendship that opens their eyes and hearts. A few small things change and then suddenly, it seems that they are beginning to see that life has new possibilities for them both.
The character development is excellent, and we see the changes in each of them as we alternate between Henry and Chandra's story arcs.
Lost me a little on the final half chapter of the book ..but otherwise an excellent fairly quick read. I liked this author's style and will look out for more.
Henry is still just going through the motions of life. Losing his wife has sucked all the joy from his existance. His quiet grief and daily gloom of depression caused by the feeling that he didnt appreciate the value of his life with Ava in it.
Meanwhile, his daughter Chandra is shy, has made a bunch of safe choices, has a sensible (boring) job, seemingly only one friend, rarely goes out and is uptight when she does. She wants something different but is too afraid to make it happen.
They both sense a presence in their home that reminds them of Ava (wife/mother) and think that she has something to tell them, yet neither of them speak about it and they both feel that they are drifting apart.
Up to this point, the story is sad, depressing even, it seems like there is no way forward for either of them.
The catalyst for them both is getting to know someone new.. they each discover a friendship that opens their eyes and hearts. A few small things change and then suddenly, it seems that they are beginning to see that life has new possibilities for them both.
The character development is excellent, and we see the changes in each of them as we alternate between Henry and Chandra's story arcs.
Lost me a little on the final half chapter of the book ..but otherwise an excellent fairly quick read. I liked this author's style and will look out for more.
December 21, 2013
This is one of those feel good books. Sixteen years ago Henry lost his wife Ava, the mother to Chandra. Since that time they have been going through the motions of life. For some reason they seem to be having difficulty moving on. Then Chandra meets someone and her father starts seeing the neighbor next door. Both of them learn that it is possible to move on. I guess what I had an issue with was that it seemed to take them so long to move on. I know in situations like this that not everyone reacts the same. My brother-in-law is one of those like Henry. He seems like a lost soul without my sister by his side. His daughter has moved in with him to help take care of him. This is similar to what happened to Chandra. Both lives are on hold. This is still a good story. It is sometimes quirky which makes it fun to read. I would recommend this for a nice weekend read when you want to sit back and relax.
July 6, 2014
I found this book so great!
The story starts slowly, a widower, Henry, and his grown-up daughter, Chandra, living together in the family house, the one just accepting his situation, the other wishing to make things happen. Slowly, more characters are introduced, disturbing - in a more or less good way - the routine of the main characters. They have to learn to deal with who they are and what they feel. I don't wish to go into details, since it would only break the magic of the story.
The characters are so well described! Each of them is special in his way. Some situations are soo funny!
The ending is great, full of hope, though blurred for me... because I was crying... (I'm a sensitive person...)
I would recommend this book for those who like normal stories, with a touch of fantasy.
I received this ebook free through LibraryThing Member Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts slowly, a widower, Henry, and his grown-up daughter, Chandra, living together in the family house, the one just accepting his situation, the other wishing to make things happen. Slowly, more characters are introduced, disturbing - in a more or less good way - the routine of the main characters. They have to learn to deal with who they are and what they feel. I don't wish to go into details, since it would only break the magic of the story.
The characters are so well described! Each of them is special in his way. Some situations are soo funny!
The ending is great, full of hope, though blurred for me... because I was crying... (I'm a sensitive person...)
I would recommend this book for those who like normal stories, with a touch of fantasy.
I received this ebook free through LibraryThing Member Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2016
An interesting book that that turned out to be a more compelling read than I expected.
As Chandra and her dad had really shut themselves down emotionally after the death of their mother/wife, almost to the point of depression, the arrival of a couple of new people in their lives forced them to look at life from a different perspective. I was very intrigued but the descriptions of transcendental meditation, of which I know very little. It is now something I might want to explore further.
Well written and compelling, my only complaint was the lengthy focus on the depressed part of their lives. It was a little slow to pull me in because of that. I would've like more emphasis on the meditation end. But very enjoyable inn the end.
As Chandra and her dad had really shut themselves down emotionally after the death of their mother/wife, almost to the point of depression, the arrival of a couple of new people in their lives forced them to look at life from a different perspective. I was very intrigued but the descriptions of transcendental meditation, of which I know very little. It is now something I might want to explore further.
Well written and compelling, my only complaint was the lengthy focus on the depressed part of their lives. It was a little slow to pull me in because of that. I would've like more emphasis on the meditation end. But very enjoyable inn the end.
April 27, 2016
Not the book I was expecting but I did enjoy it.
A love story. A slice of soul searching and and small spirit walks.
I knew nothing when I started to read and just let this small black and white scribble fill itself in to a colorful mosaic of dimensions.
Only knowing the title, you have an idea of some meaning of growth or expansion.
I enjoyed the suburban obscurity of the characters interwoven with the universal feelings of the connection of dreams, love and needing to find connections an an isolating world.
I liked the maybe ironic yet simple resolution owing to the fact of being able to accept the more complex dimensions of the universe, while also not convoluting with minute information.
A love story. A slice of soul searching and and small spirit walks.
I knew nothing when I started to read and just let this small black and white scribble fill itself in to a colorful mosaic of dimensions.
Only knowing the title, you have an idea of some meaning of growth or expansion.
I enjoyed the suburban obscurity of the characters interwoven with the universal feelings of the connection of dreams, love and needing to find connections an an isolating world.
I liked the maybe ironic yet simple resolution owing to the fact of being able to accept the more complex dimensions of the universe, while also not convoluting with minute information.
November 10, 2013
A young woman living with her widowed father goes out after work one night with a friend, which is unusual for her. There she meets a man who starts to change her life. Meanwhile on the home front, her father befriends the unusual woman next door. This woman behaves as if her husband, who has been dead for a year is still living at home with her.
The beginning of the book is interesting and the part about the father and the widow next door make for good reading. As the book progresses it seems to lose some of its appeal as it takes flight from the real world and simply becomes unbelievable.
I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review.
The beginning of the book is interesting and the part about the father and the widow next door make for good reading. As the book progresses it seems to lose some of its appeal as it takes flight from the real world and simply becomes unbelievable.
I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review.
October 8, 2014
When someone you love dies, sometimes you forget to live. That is what happened to Henry and Chandra. When Henry's wife dies, he looses his spark to live. Chandra feels that now she needs to be there for her father. They are both just existing. When Henry starts talking to the lady next door, he finds that he enjoys her company. Chandra has a friend who forces her to go out with her and she realizes what she is missing. This story tells of their journey to find happiness and life again.
January 21, 2024
I'm sure it's me and not the book, but it's depressing and boring. Absolutely nothing happens for the first 4 chapters, and I just could not be bothered to put myself thru more of it just to see if that changed. There's nothing really wrong with the writing, other than the story tends to sort of drift along, and I need more than that out of a book (unless that book is also filled with gorgeous writing, which this is not).
May 2, 2016
Flying lessons
Flying Lessons never quite made it off the ground for me. This book couldn't make up it's mind what it wanted to be when it grew up. It started off with what seemed like a woman's quest to change her life. Quickly, it became a romance novel...with little romance. It ended with some spiritualism and EVERYONE experiencing ghosts . By the end of this book, I had completely lost interest and couldn't wait for the end.
Flying Lessons never quite made it off the ground for me. This book couldn't make up it's mind what it wanted to be when it grew up. It started off with what seemed like a woman's quest to change her life. Quickly, it became a romance novel...with little romance. It ended with some spiritualism and EVERYONE experiencing ghosts . By the end of this book, I had completely lost interest and couldn't wait for the end.
June 6, 2016
Different
The beginning of this book was so slow and almost depressing. The story started to pick up but jumped all over place without a clear storyline. The plot didn't come about until the last couple chapters. Those chapters were okay but still odd in some ways. I get what the author was trying to portray, that the people in the story needed to move forward in their lives. It just took forever to get the point across.
The beginning of this book was so slow and almost depressing. The story started to pick up but jumped all over place without a clear storyline. The plot didn't come about until the last couple chapters. Those chapters were okay but still odd in some ways. I get what the author was trying to portray, that the people in the story needed to move forward in their lives. It just took forever to get the point across.
March 27, 2016
A very sad book that deals with how we deal with death. I really liked this book and would have loved to give it 4 stars but I felt the paranormal aspect was a bit to much for me and made it unbelievable.
All in all, this book made me think and at times I found myself closing my eyes and calling out to my parents.
All in all, this book made me think and at times I found myself closing my eyes and calling out to my parents.
January 29, 2016
Outstanding
This story is written with such emotion and mind blowing details of the characters!!! I seriously could not stop reading. And such details of what a person goes through in losing a loved one and the grieving process. One of the best books I've read.
This story is written with such emotion and mind blowing details of the characters!!! I seriously could not stop reading. And such details of what a person goes through in losing a loved one and the grieving process. One of the best books I've read.
August 30, 2016
I finished this book a while back. What an interesting read! I thought it was quite beautiful going through the journey of recovery with this family that truly loved and grieved their loss. Some parts were really sweet and made me chuckle and the ending was light hearted.
January 31, 2016
Thought provoking
I wasn't expecting it to be this intense, however I enjoyed it to the end. Parts were a little hard to believe.
I wasn't expecting it to be this intense, however I enjoyed it to the end. Parts were a little hard to believe.
February 7, 2016
This was a charming read. Nothing fancy or very thought provoking, but I enjoyed it. Character development was quite good.
February 3, 2016
It was a little far out there but it was a story about loss, living through that loss, and living again!
February 24, 2016
Flying lessons
Lovely story. Wish it were more literary
Got better as I read. Would recommend to lovers and romantics. Liked the beach setting and parallel storylines
Lovely story. Wish it were more literary
Got better as I read. Would recommend to lovers and romantics. Liked the beach setting and parallel storylines
February 5, 2016
Nice story
Sad but still comforting story about love lost and new love! Quick read. Typical gfs family trying to move on after the mom dies. Life goes on always!
Sad but still comforting story about love lost and new love! Quick read. Typical gfs family trying to move on after the mom dies. Life goes on always!
February 7, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyable!
February 10, 2016
Anything with Magical Realism piques my interest. Solid story though it could use a little tightening to make the characters more full and some of the plot move better.
February 29, 2016
Not bad writing and some refreshing incorporation of details of everyday living. Interesting commentary on grief.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews