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A review by dariaharv
The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian
5.0
I had not read any of Chris Bojalian's fourteen novels until I picked up "The Night Strangers" and based on this example I can't wait to read more. The main character is a pilot of regional jets and is poised to be promoted to larger planes and international flights. Alas, as he takes off on a routine flight he hits a flock of geese. The engines fail and he plans a "Miracle on the Hudson" type
landing on a lake. Unfortunately the plane hits a ferry boat wave and splits in two and thirty nine passengers meet various gruesome ends. Media scrutiny, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and survivors guilt ensues. The family makes a move to a sleepy hamlet in New Hampshire where there is a strange density of greenhouses. The herbalists are darker than they seem and take a creepy interest in the pilot's twin daughters. The new homestead has a strange door in the basement with thirty-nine bolts hiding its contents. It is here that the pilot is visited by the souls of a few of the departed passengers.
This story does not progress in an expected way. I remained surprised until the end. The characters were multi-layered, neither all good nor all evil, as is true in our world as well. My absolute favorite part of the novel is Bojalian's use of second person narrative (only for the pilot's character.). This literary device serves both to provide a view into the pilot's thoughts as well as make him seemed removed from himself, much as would be expected in a traumatized person. Brilliant. I loved it! I can't wait to read more from this author.
landing on a lake. Unfortunately the plane hits a ferry boat wave and splits in two and thirty nine passengers meet various gruesome ends. Media scrutiny, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and survivors guilt ensues. The family makes a move to a sleepy hamlet in New Hampshire where there is a strange density of greenhouses. The herbalists are darker than they seem and take a creepy interest in the pilot's twin daughters. The new homestead has a strange door in the basement with thirty-nine bolts hiding its contents. It is here that the pilot is visited by the souls of a few of the departed passengers.
This story does not progress in an expected way. I remained surprised until the end. The characters were multi-layered, neither all good nor all evil, as is true in our world as well. My absolute favorite part of the novel is Bojalian's use of second person narrative (only for the pilot's character.). This literary device serves both to provide a view into the pilot's thoughts as well as make him seemed removed from himself, much as would be expected in a traumatized person. Brilliant. I loved it! I can't wait to read more from this author.