Wingspan

by Chris Bohjalian

Originally produced as a one-act play starring Grace Experience and K.K. Glick, Wingspan is the story of a young flight attendant with a fear of flying, who is about to work her first transatlantic trip. When a veteran co-worker tries to help her through the turbulent crossing, she discovers that a fear of flying is the least of the young woman’s secrets. A Vintage Shorts Original. An ebook short.Look for Chris Bohjalian's new novel, The Lioness!

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Plays

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2019

About the author

Chris Bohjalian is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 26 books. His new novel, THE AMATEUR, arrives on August 4, 2026. He writes literary fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, and (on occasion) ghost stories. His goal is never to write the same book twice. He has published somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.7 million words.

His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies (MIDWIVES, SECRETS OF EDEN, and PAST THE BLEACHERS) and an Emmy-winning TV series (THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT). He has two other novels in development for TV series as well.

He is also a playwright, including THE CLUB in 2024; MIDWIVES in 2020; and GROUNDED (now WINGSPAN) in 2018.

His books have been chosen as Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Hartford Courant, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Bookpage, and Salon.

His awards include the Walter Cerf Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts; the Sarah Josefa Hale Award; the ANCA Freedom Award for his work educating Americans about the Armenian Genocide; the ANCA Arts and Letters Award for THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS, as well as the Saint Mesrob Mashdots Medal; the New England Society Book Award for THE NIGHT STRANGERS; the New England Book Award; Russia’s Soglasie (Concord) Award for THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS; a Boston Public Library Literary Light; a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for TRANS-SISTER RADIO; a Best Lifestyle Column for “Idyll Banter” from the Vermont Press Association; and the Anahid Literary Award. His short story, SLOT MACHINE FEVER DREAMS was a finalist for Best Short Story from the International Thriller Writers Association and the audio production was an Audie Finalist. His novel, MIDWVES was a selection of Oprah’s Book Club, and his novel, HOUR OF THE WITCH, was a Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. He is a Fellow of the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He has written for a wide variety of magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Reader’s Digest, and The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. He was a weekly columnist in Vermont for The Burlington Free Press from 1992 through 2015.

Chris graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Amherst College. He has been awarded Honorary Degrees as well from Amherst, Champlain College, and Castleton University.

He lives in Vermont with his wife, the photographer Victoria Blewer.

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“First produced as Grounded, by Throughline Artists, at 59E59 Theaters, July 20-August 31, 2018” , this one act play/short story is about a conversation that takes place between an “older” more experienced flight attendant, and a “younger”, less experienced flight attendant who is afraid to fly over the ocean.

Of course, as an older, “more experienced” flight attendant myself...I had to read it!!

Why has a young woman who is afraid to fly, taken a job as a flight attendant to begin with?

So, that this clever scenario, can set up a conversation about a much deeper, troubling plot point, about who encouraged Emily to apply for the job, and why....

We, in the industry, call these conversations that REALLY do occur, between co-workers who have just met, “jumpseat psychology”!

Chris Bohjalian has captured the more laid back, jaded vibe of the more senior flight attendant, Karen and the overly cautious, rule abiding vibe of the more junior flight attendant, Emily perfectly.

And, it’s a conversation that should be taking place everywhere...not just on a jumpseat.

Written BEFORE, text conversations between those in the air and those on the ground, COULD occur in “airplane mode”, I applaud the author’s creativity and his message to vulnerable, young women!!

Thank You, Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for a candid review!
Available March, 26, 2019

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A one-act play that is both entertaining and intriguing.

SUMMARY
Originally produced as a one-act play, Wingspan is a the story of a young flight attendant with a fear of flying, who is about to work her first transatlantic trip. When a veteran co-worker tries to help her through the turbulent crossing, she discovers that a fear of flying is the least of the young woman’s secrets. 

REVIEW
Hold on tight, there is more than a little turbulence on this flight to London. The flight attendants swap secrets at the beginning of the flight and Emily confides a shocking story. The dialog is entertaining, and the story is intriguing as the two women discuss the next steps. I loved it, but was left thirsty for...the rest of the story.

[Martie Nees Record · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre:           General Fiction
Publisher:    Knopf Doubleday Publishing
Pub. Date:    March 26, 2019

Mini Review

The award-winning author Chris Bohjalian has written his first play, “Wingspan.”  The one-act play has been published as a novella.  The tale revolves around two female flight attendants.   In 2018, Bohjalian had a bestselling thriller, “The Flight Attendant.”   This is not a sequel as one might suspect.  The novella is clearly not a thriller as was his other work regarding a female flight attendant.  Once the reader has finished the last page, the title’s metaphor will be clearly understood. “Wingspan,” demonstrates that Bohjalian is masterful at writing concise dialogue that makes the reader simultaneously laugh and cry along with his characters.  You will meet a young, newly trained flight attendant, who just happens to have a fear of flying.  And then there is her older, wisecracking, experienced coworker whose sassy manner can hide her intelligence.  By the end of the flight, the older woman knows the younger woman’s secrets.  This story may be sparse but is plentiful with feeling in tune to the #MeToo movement.

I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

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[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story/play about 2 flight attendants on a flight to London. The youngest Emily is scared of flying so the older one Karen tries to distract her by talking.. only this leads to more problems than a fear of flying.

I would love to read more about these 2 women and see what happens after the flight.

[Danielle (The Blonde Likes Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting little short story, told in the format of a play about two flight attendants. One newer to the job, who is scared of flying, and one more tenured. The story does a good job of fitting enough information into its limited pages to keep the reader engaged and feel like there was enough content, without feeling like it was lacking.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Bohjalian has a way with dialogue, so it's no surprise that this transcription of his one-act play featuring two characters reads like a thriller. I'm only sorry I didn't see it presented onstage.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won’t say don’t waste your time as it wouldn’t take much of it. Ha!! This was a very short read. Not bad but not great.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as a one-act play, Chris Bohjalian once again uses his talents as a wordsmith to draw the reader in quickly. Two flight attendants, Emily, in her early twenties, and Karen in her late thirties/early forties, converse during a trans-Atlantic flight as they sit in their jump seats in between performing their duties.

Emily, afraid of flying (say WHAT?!?!), divulges something both surprising and heartbreaking in the course of their conversation. Karen, stunned, attempts to advise her. Bohjalian evokes many emotions within this taut play - laughter, surprise, sadness among them. Most of all, he leaves the reader wanting more, and appreciative of his skills as a writer.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this play in return for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Tez · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: Statutory.

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t looking for a play to read, but the concept of this one really grabbed my attention. A flight attendant scared of flying. That’s different. And a premise that can go in many different directions. In this play it went in one…female empowerment. Just right for the MeToo era. Essentially this play is a one act dialogue between Karen and Emily. Karen, older, more experienced as both a flight attendant and a woman, Emily just 25 and freshly out of a long and very wrong sort of relationship with a much older man. Throughout a course of a flight to London Karen attempts to convince Emily to confront the man. That’s it, very straight forward. The moral told through an easy parallel is that if you can conquer one fear, you can conquer another. Frankly, didn’t really work for me plotwise, too trite, too thin. But the writing was very enjoyable and the original premise very intriguing…flying is in fact an absolutely terrifying thing that everyone has convinced themselves isn’t for the sake of convenience, but really…hurling through space at incomprehensible speeds and distances in a souped up metal can is just not natural. Anyone who has really experienced fear of flying would probably stayed out of planes for the duration. Conquering it time or two might be possible, but doing it all the time for a living seems highly implausible. Unless, that is, it’s used as a literary metaphor. But then again for a 30 minute read it entertained and for a play it was pretty dynamic. Thanks Netgalley.

[Ilene]

✈️✈️✈️

This is the first piece of writing by Chris Bohjalian that I’ve read, but I’ve always heard good reviews of his novels so I was excited to get a taste of his style from this short one act play. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for the opportunity to read and review.

I was immediately intrigued by the premise—a young flight attendant who has a fear of flying—and I really enjoyed getting to listen in as she receives advice from her more senior flight partner. The story is short, so no reason to give away more of the plot here, but worth a read as a toe dip into Bohjalian’s work. I will definitely be adding his novels to my to-read list.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novella by a wonderful author. This story took me right back to my (past) fear of flying! This made me think! I wanted more, but it ended.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story/play was interesting.

[Aura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent one act play about a conversation between two flight attendants on a transatlantic flight. Bohjalian is one of my favorite writers and I wish I could see this play.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wingspan is a one-act play, the first written by NYT best-selling and award-winning American author, Chris Bohjalian. On a flight from JFK to London, veteran flight attendant Karen is joined at the last minute by a novice with just a few years’ experience, ex-barista Emily. It’s immediately apparent that Emily is very nervous about this, her first trans-Atlantic flight. As Karen tries to reassure her, Emily admits her fear of flying. They chat while preparing for take-off, and Karen learns about the life coach who convinced Emily to embark on a career involving the thing she fears most, and why. By the time they are over the Atlantic, Emily has the confidence to face more than just a flight across an ocean, and both have learned something about life.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wingspan is an exceptional and entertaining play, featuring a young, fairly new stewardess, Emily, coupled with a more experienced, pushing 40 air hostess, Karen, as they prepare for and take off on a trans-Atlantic flight, the first one over the pond for Emily who is admittedly afraid of flying. Which might be the least of her problems.

A very quick read, this Bohjalian play is a hoot and glows with his extraordinary, professional way with words. I can happily recommend Wingspan to friends and family. I would love to see it performed at our Flickinger Center or the College.

I received an electronic copy of this one-act play from Netgalley, Chris Bohjalian, and Doubleday Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

pub date March 26, 2019
Doubleday Publishing Group
GNBKo

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for allowing me to read an advance copy e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own. This book comes out March 26th if you’d like to check it out! The cover is beautiful.

I purchased Midwives, The Flight Attendant and The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian on a whim, without reading a single one of his books, so needless to say that I was excited when I saw that this vintage short story was available for request so I could get just a taste of his writing style.

Originally created as a one-act play, “Wingspan” follows two flight attendants, Karen who is in her late thirties/ early forties and Emily who is in her twenties. Emily, being fairly new at her job, is afraid for her fist transatlantic flight. To keep her distracted from the plane ride, the two women strike up a very interesting conversation concerning Emily’s inappropriate relationship with a much older man.

I don’t want to give away too much of the storyline because this book is very short. That being said I think that the topic was captivating, a very fast-paced read and the writing style was very fluid and easy to immerse myself in. I only wish that as both a play and a short story that they had gone into further detail as far what happens AFTER they land and quite possibly a very interesting confrontation that SHOULD take place.

The abrupt ending left me hanging as a reader, and would have left me confused as a member of the theater audience as well.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short play that takes place during a transatlantic flight to London. There are two flight attendants, one veteran and one for whom this is the first transatlantic flight. The latter is also afraid of flying. We get to hear their conversation as the plane takes off and endures several bouts of turbulence.

I don't want to describe much of the plot because it's so short that there's no way to tell it without really giving it away. I will say I was surprised at the content compared to what the blurb says and if you're easily triggered, it might be sensitive. There isn't much detail and the conversation stays reasonably on the surface, which I found to be so unlike Chris Bohjalian's usual style. What I usually like about his books is how deep they are willing to go into emotional impacts of the consequences of his characters' choices/lives.

I'm still thinking about it, pondering what the author was trying to tell with this particular story. And a story that stays with you is always a good story for me.

[i received an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.]

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally produced as a one-act play this is the story of a young flight attendant with a fear of flying, who is about to work her first transatlantic trip. When a veteran co-worker tries to help her through the turbulent crossing, she discovers that a fear of flying is the least of the young woman’s secrets.

This short story is written like a play and I really enjoyed it. The discussion between the two flight attendants, who just met, at different stages in their lives is interesting and brings different opinions about a sensitive subject. They have this discussion while waiting for takeoff and also during takeoff, while also discussing the young flight attendants fear of flying. Their remarks to one another are funny and even though the topic they are discussing is serious the discussion is light at some points.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good calling card for this author, of whom I'd never heard. Many people might click through to this without realising it's a play script, but it's a very interesting little piece, with two varying flight attendants. The older one would never pussyfoot around any subject, it seems, and the younger, on her first ever flight to leave the USA, is actually shit scared of the idea of flying over oceans. Together they and we learn what got her to this place. I didn't think it the most easily-staged work, with synchronised flight engine sounds to come in precisely on cue, and not the most visual, but with the right cast it would be great to watch; the story (if slightly unrealistic, it has to be said) is an intriguing one with a nicely modern theme, not overplayed. A strong four stars.

[Diane D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read most everything Chris Bohjalian has written so I was naturally curious about this novella. At first I though it might be a prequel to The Flight Attendant, but it was not.

Originally a one act play staring Grace Experience (Bohjalian's daughter) and K.K. Glick, it's a very quick read, basically dialog between two flight attendants. There's veteran attendant Karen and a newbie, Emily who is on her first transatlantic flight from NY to London. Emily is extremely nervous about this flight and starts talking pretty much non stop, unloading her secrets in the process.

I read this from start to finish in bed the other night and thought it was enjoyable enough to recommend.

Available on Kindle for 99 cents

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** I received an advanced reader copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

This story was originally produced as a one-act play starring Grace Experience and K.K. Glick, It is the story of Emily, a young flight attendant with a fear of flying. This is to be her first transatlantic trip and she is panicking.. The other flight attend is more of her mother's age and has been flying a lot longer. She gets Emily to open up about her fear of flying and discovers the true secret Emily is hiding'
Let me start out by saying, I hate short stories, but I couldn't resist when I say the author. That being said, for a short story/one act play it was very good

[Michele Benchouk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short story is written in the style of a play with two characters. A veteran flight attendant and a relatively new flight attendant with a fear of flying. Although the pace was good, the characters weren't particularly likable and theplot veered away from flying into a statutory rape discussion. I understand how the stress of the situation would get the victim talking, but it just wasn't where I thought this story was going. The synopsis should be clearer that this is not focused on flying. I have enjoyed this author's previous writings, but not so much this one. Quick read.

[Erin Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Knopf Publishing Group and #netgalley letting me read and review #winspan by @chrisbohjalian. This was a short story about a young woman who is terrified of flying but becomes a flight attendant. During the flight, something else is revealed about the woman that she will have to make a decision about. This was originally a play and was a very good short story/novella. This author never disappoints.

[Crystal Gilstrap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story to be read in an hour or less. But, WOW- did I enjoy it!!! It reads like a play that makes you feel that you are in the theater watching it. It is filled with smart, witty dialogue between the two main characters - I laughed out loud throughout! Although it deals with serious subjects- facing your fear of dying and statuatory rape- it also proves how facing one fear empowers you to face the next. FABULOUS SHORT STORY!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play by Chris Bohjalian, takes place on a commercial airline. Emily is one of the two airline attendants (Karen the other), who get to know each other on a transatlantic flight. Emily confides in Karen that she has chosen to be a flight attendant because of the advice of her life coach. The ensuing revelations about their relationship make this an interesting read.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short - really short- story about two flight attendants was originally a one act play and it shows. Well written, with snappy dialogue, it's about fear of flying, which is, of course, a metaphor for so much ore. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Always a treat to read something written by Bohjalian.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Emily, a young flight attendant who fears flying and Karen who is older and well experienced flight attendant. Emily shows her fear and Karen helps her through it while Emily shares a secret from her past.

Only downfall is I wanted more it was too short and had a great storyline.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bohjalian has created a unique snapshot of a woman in a vulnerable situation. It’s a short plot arc in just a couple dozen pages, but it’s one that is able to come to a realistic and fulfilling conclusion.

4 out of 5 stars.

For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/03/24/wi...

For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad one-act play, reads like a novella. Given its brevity, the less said the better. Best to just jump in and enjoy it. I listened to the audio version and it was like hearing a story on public radio. There isn't anything spectacular with the story but it was suitably entertaining and I like Bohjalian's writing style and that was enough for me.