Jeremy Walsh’s parents assume he’s been abducted by the elderly man he met on a cross-country flight, but it’s the other way around. Two unlikely companions meet in midair: 13-year-old Jeremy, sent against his will by his career-absorbed father to spend the summer with his bipolar mother, and Harry, one-legged and afflicted with mid-stage Alzheimer’s, who escapes the confinement of home for what … home for what may be his last adventure. Their journey begins, trailed by Harry’s wife and Jeremy’s parents, who threaten to cut it short. It’s a race against time and circumstance.
“In Adrian Magnuson’s Taking Flight a curmudgeon losing his memory and a snarky teen fleeing his parents find a common passion in bird watching. Endearing characters, delightful story and a poignant final scene give this book wings along with the beautifully depicted birds.” —Frances Wood, author of Brushed by Feathers: A Year of Birdwatching in the West
“Taking Flight is an evocative and moving contemporary novel. It is, at every level, a story about love. For one character it is a coming of age tale, for the other the end of an age. Both are runaways, yet each ultimately is searching for home. I highly recommend this heart-touching, beautifully written book.” —Andrea Hurst, president of Andrea Hurst Literary Management
“Filled with well-developed, real-life characters, Taking Flight’s heart-breaking but satisfying story hits on all cylinders: action, comedy, and emotion.” —Terry Persun, award winning author of Sweet Song
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One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I even wrote to the author to tell him I wished he’d contact someone about making it into a movie (Bruce Dern, by the way, would be perfect in a movie version of the book). It gives you a glimpse into how the human brain with Alzheimer’s works, and in the unlikely friendship between a young boy with family problems and this old man with Alzheimer’s take a road trip. “Taking Flight” refers to this escape of theirs, as well as to their mutual interest in birding.
Good writing, good story, if a bit unrealistic. I loved all of the characters except Jay’s parents, both narcissistic and selfish. The relationship between Harry and Jay is heartwarming as it evolves over the relatively short period of time they spend together. The author also does a good job informing the reader of the sad realities of Alzheimer’s disease.
I liked the realistic look at Alzheimer’s disease that is in this book. Great plot, moved along at a good pace, liked the characters even tho I got very disgusted with the young boys parents.
As a person with parents approaching 90 year of life, it was very thought provoking
Bittersweet story. It really opens your eyes to dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s and someone who is bipolar. The relationships between all the characters pulls your heartstring, especially 75 yr old Harry & 13 yr old Jeremy.
Well written adventure about life. I enjoyed the story.
Wonderful story focused on an older man with Alsheimers, and written from the first person perspective of the characters – what it must be like to experience the memory loss…..
Please read this book! You will be glad you did!
Nice story about an old guy on the verge of dementia (actually Alzheimer’s) and a kid tossed back and forth between self-occupied parents. The boy learns a few things, including how to care, and enjoys being loved and cared for for a change. Light reading, nice story as I said.
Great story. Inspirational view of a terrible disease.
I loved this book! In today’s world this story would end in a day or less, nonetheless, I really enjoyed the adventure these two characters had and the respect that grew from each character depending on the other. I am not one to talk about a book unless I think others will enjoy it, this book I did!
The reader realizes that some of the events could not happen, but it was quite a tale. It also appealed to my empathetic side.
Enjoyed interaction of characters and learning good metaphor for Alzheimer’s, told by main character. Doing a jigsaw puzzle daily, able to do much of it some days and then start puzzle over everyday.
One of the best books I’ve read
Very meaningful characters. A little unrealistic but it is a GREAT story!!!
Couldn’t put it down. Wonderful characters, wonderful story!
This has got to be one of the better books I’ve read in quite awhile. The characters were all different and interesting. It was a great read and hard to put dowm.
Insightful and interesting . The characters for the most part were well rounded and interesting. While I thought this would be a felfeel good book what really impressed me was the author delving into the minds and motives of humans struggling with issues like Alzheimer’s and family dynamics. Made me really think about how people cope with bipolar or memory issues.
Really enjoyed the journey
Such a great story about young and old and how the two can have a lot in common! Great book!