Flying at Night

March 1, 2018
Piper Whitman's home life was never simple, but it just got a whole lot more complicated. Her nine-year-old son, Fred, just received an unexpected autism diagnosis, and her overbearing father, Lance, will need in-home care after a major heart attack. Piper's noble but often distracted husband, Isaac, seems more concerned with his clients and caseload than his family's latest predicaments. Once Lance moves in, Piper notices a new bond developing between grandfather and grandson, and a glimmer of hope surfaces. Could this new normal be just what the Whitman-Hart family needs? Brown's debut unfolds over the course of a year, with Piper, Fred, and Lance alternately narrating. Fred's voice is the most distinct, but it's fascinating to see Lance's blustery, ego-driven demeanor change after his heart attack and subsequent recovery. Realistically depicting the challenges of a family in crisis, Brown doesn't shy away from tough topics. Fans of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) and Sara Baume's Spill Simmer Falter Wither (2016) will enjoy this tender, insightful novel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)