Book Review: *When She Flew* by Jennie Shortridge

When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (November 3, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0451227980

Back-of-the-book blurb: Police officer Jessica Villareal has always played by the book and tried to do the right thing. But now, she finds herself approaching midlife divorced, estranged from her daughter, alone, and unhappy. And she’s wondering if she ever made a right choice in her life.

But then Jess discovers a girl and her Iraq-vet father living off the radar in the Oregon woods, avoiding the comforts-and curses-of modern life. Her colleagues on the force are determined to uproot and separate them, but Jess knows the damage of losing those you love. She recognizes her chance to make a difference by doing something she’s never dared. Because even though she’s used to playing by the rules, there are times when they need to be broken…

She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Jennie Shortridge’s newest novel, When She Flew, is inspired by a true-life event involving a Vietnam War veteran who lives in conservation woods in the Pacific Northwest with his minor daughter.  Like the news event, the characters in When She Flew are found, and their life is changed by the police and social services.  Shortridge takes the news story as a starting place, fictionalizes the known details, and creates intricate backgrounds for the vet (Ray), his daughter (Lindy), and the major players in their discovery and the next few days.

The focus on Shortridge’s novel is on the development of two characters, the police officer Jess Villareal, who has a strained relationship with her own adult daughter (Nina), and Lindy, the teenage girl who seems wise beyond her years.  The format is a very effective way to tell the story.  Shortridge alternates between Jess’ point of view, told in the third person, and Lindy’s POV, told in the first person.

Shortridge draws a parallel between the issues in Jess’ personal life and the struggles that Lindy and Ray will have integrating into the confines of society as dictated by the human services guidelines.  Jess attempts to do for Lindy what she was unable to do for her own daughter.

I loved how Shortridge showed Jess’ growing attachment to Lindy, and the way she compares and contrasts these three female characters.  From Jess’ point of view, when emotional trauma occurred, Jess “had stuffed her emotions … Nina practically vomited them.” (p 75).  She also shows the seeming similarities between Nina and Lindy; according to Jess, Lindy “looked at her the same way Nina had whenever she’d been hurt, or experienced a disappointment, or didn’t understand how the world could be so awful.” (p 95)  Once Jess and the team go in the woods to investigate the sighting, they’re there for almost another 75 pages.  As she seeks Lindy, thoughts of Nina continue to run through Jess’ mind.  She juggles doubts and self-assurance: “Why didn’t I just make it happen? … Why didn’t I do more to make her stay? … I am not the worst parent in the world.”

As clear as Jess’ storyline was, the first person narrative in Lindy’s chapters made the young girl even closer and more immediate for me.  We learn Ray’s war experience, his reason for going “off the radar,” and how he has been able to provide for his daughter.  We learn that Lindy loves and trusts him, and that she wants to protect him as fiercely as the government want to protect her.

The language in the novel is beautiful; there are many subtle word pictures and metaphors about flying and freedom, which caused me to pause in my reading (p 199):

A flock of starlings whirled and careened in front of the car just as we turned off the main road, and I watched them as long as I could out the side and then back windows.  How do they know to turn and swoop together like that?  It’s like God is painting across the sky, big black swirls and strokes disappearing as quickly as they appear.

Shortridge’s novel explores many themes: the parent-child relationship, what happens when that bond is strained or broken, society and the government’s involvement in family matters.   This is a lot to take on, and a lot of fodder for book group discussions.  It’s got me curious about the true case that got her train of thought moving; we see so many sensational news stories, Shortridge’s talent in telling this tale has me slowing down to think about the wider implications of many current events I’ve read about in the past week or so.

About the author: Jenny Shortridge is the author of three previously published novels: Riding with the Queen, Eating Heaven and Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe (my review; I LOVED this book!).  Visit the author’s website to hear her read the prologue of When She Flew.  Jenny Shortridge is very book group friendly, and, if her schedule allows, will call in to your book group to discuss her novel.  She also lists tips for book groups – which is your favorite?

FTC disclosure:  review copy provided by the author.