Uncontrolled Flight by Frances Peck

Yesterday afternoon, I sat down on the back porch to take a peek inside Uncontrolled Flight before plunging back into some editing I needed to finish. At 11 pm, I was in the same chair, reading the last page of the novel. 

I found this a most satisfying read. I recalled that at the virtual launch, someone asked if this story could have happened in the US. I sensed that it would have been a slightly different tale. For me, the book expressed a Canadian sensibility. I recognized the nuanced and layered cultural reflections as well as the twists, turns and reverses that kept me in my seat till the end.

Something about this reading experience left me in a similar mood to that brought on many years ago when I read No Great Mischief, by Alistair Macleod.

Peck’s work reflects the history of our national culture—idealistic, deeply flawed, and ever-evolving.

Over it all looms the shadow of fire—a hint of the unknown and unknowable future we live with today, no matter how we try to put aside such thoughts.

Not least of the pleasure of reading Uncontrolled Flight was the refreshment and inspiration provided by deeply believable characters who value duty, service, loyalty, and friendship.