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shrrawat 's review for:
The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West
by Sara Ackerman
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Books like "The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West" inspire me to dive into historical rabbit holes by exposing me to topics I was previously unaware of. In this case, we look into the history of trans-Pacific aviation and the role that the 1927 Dole Derby played in making this possible. Taking place less than thirty years after the first human flight ever, this tragic race from California and Hawaii was one of the stepping stones for current long-distance passenger flights.
Ackerman's heroine, Olivia West, may be fiction, but she stands out with her gumption and fiery attitude at those who question her piloting and navigation skills. I can see accusations of her being too perfect being leveled, but in all honesty, I liked the character too much to care. I liked her interactions with Mildred Doran, a 22-year-old schoolteacher who made the decision to fly (as a passenger) in the Derby and the real-life inspiration for the book, best of all. In those moments, you can see the camraderie and acknowledgement that whether acting as a fictional version of Earhart, or going the more traditional route of passenger/aviation enthusiast, both women are breaking ground for new generations.
The more modern story with Wren in 1980s Hawaii was also entertaining, if less exciting than the historical narrative. Her journey from heartbreak to personal acceptance gave me "Fried Green Tomatoes" vibes for those familiar with that Frannie Flagg novel. You could kind of see where she fit into the story pretty quickly, but it was still interesting to see how she discovers her connection to Olivia West.
Overall, the book was enjoyable because it brought a unique topic to life. If you are looking for a (mostly) fluffy and feel-good historical fiction novel, then "The Last Uncharted Life of Olivia West" is likely right up your alley.
Ackerman's heroine, Olivia West, may be fiction, but she stands out with her gumption and fiery attitude at those who question her piloting and navigation skills. I can see accusations of her being too perfect being leveled, but in all honesty, I liked the character too much to care. I liked her interactions with Mildred Doran, a 22-year-old schoolteacher who made the decision to fly (as a passenger) in the Derby and the real-life inspiration for the book, best of all. In those moments, you can see the camraderie and acknowledgement that whether acting as a fictional version of Earhart, or going the more traditional route of passenger/aviation enthusiast, both women are breaking ground for new generations.
The more modern story with Wren in 1980s Hawaii was also entertaining, if less exciting than the historical narrative. Her journey from heartbreak to personal acceptance gave me "Fried Green Tomatoes" vibes for those familiar with that Frannie Flagg novel. You could kind of see where she fit into the story pretty quickly, but it was still interesting to see how she discovers her connection to Olivia West.
Overall, the book was enjoyable because it brought a unique topic to life. If you are looking for a (mostly) fluffy and feel-good historical fiction novel, then "The Last Uncharted Life of Olivia West" is likely right up your alley.