I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher to review. The story focuses on 3 women of a family - grandmother, mother and daughter - but it is the daughter, Valentina's, story. Told in the first person narrative, she tells of her childhood growing up in the " …more blind house", so named by the neighboring families.
The author writes gorgeous, evocative prose and I was immediately drawn to Valentina and her family background and dynamics. Daily events and life experiences are shrouded in mystery and often take on exaggerated, gothic-like stature. For example, when Valentina first enters puberty, she keeps it to herself, thinking it is something shameful and bad. The house becomes infested with frogs for weeks on end, then leave as quickly as they started, all without reasoning or explanation.
As the story progresses, and the ongoing relationships between these women reveals itself more and more, it became difficult at times to understand what was significant and what wasn't. There was a bit too much meandering from the storyline for me - could have benefited being a little tighter and more focused. The ending itself felt less like a conclusion than it was presented. Having said that, the author's writing as stated above, is beautiful and flows effortlessly and I look forward to reading more from her. (less)

First, I admire Ann Hood as a writer and looked forward to reading her memoir of her career as a TWA flight attendant. She has a lively and conversational style which drew me in right from the start. Whether she was dishing on some of the more outrageous experiences she had, …more or how she as a woman and her career grew and changed with the times, it was both enlightening and thoroughly engaging. She was a flight attendant when it was considered a glamorous profession, but you also got a glimpse into the sexism, rigid and unfair job standards they had to meet, as well as the struggles these women endured on a daily basis. It was seamless storytelling as she interwove her personal life, with the airline industry, and the social environment of the times.

While I was fairly young when it was exciting and fun to fly, I do remember it fondly, especially in light of what a nightmare it is to do so today. I was surprised and happy to learn that the author still finds joy every time she boards a plane in current days. Highly recommended! (less)