“I had a secret: I wanted to leave the earth in a spectacular fashion. Specifically, by leaping from the Eiffel Tower.” So begins this provocative coming-of-age novel about a teenage girl bent on self-destruction and revenge, set in the City of Light.
It’s the summer of 1999, the end of a millennium. In the mind of Nessa Baxter, a girl from rural Illinois, Paris is the remedy for all of her woes. The death of her beloved brother and the betrayal by her classmate Kat has left Nessa bereft and doubtful about her future. She plans to exact revenge on Kat during their renegade French Club trip. Along with classmates Whitney and Kiran, the four girls embark on a series of misadventures in Paris. As part of her plan, Nessa starts a game of Truth or Dare that spirals out of control.
A suspenseful psychological drama, Midair is the story of a young girl’s descent into darkness and the secrets we keep, even from ourselves.
Four young women seek life’s meaning in Paris – in author’s words they face “the giant dick of reality.” I feel that this novel isn’t all that the description and the editorial comments promised it to be. It is not so much a “suspenseful psychological drama” as it is nihilism–“Life is meaningless…life sucks.” After all, right from the opening line we learn that the narrator plans on suicide as a way of revenge. Her seeking such an exit is “no exit” but rather a disturbing impact on her friends.
Gripping and beautiful. If you think this is a traditional coming of age tale, don’t be fooled. It is a beautifully woven story of the naivete of youth and the terrible pain of paying for our actions. I highly recommend this to any reader.
Dark & Absorbing Four American teenage girls take a trip to France with tragic consequences for them all. A story set in the seductive city of Paris where the fun and highs mingle with lows, darkness and self-doubts touching the lives of young women on the edge of adulthood. Nessa’s plan to jump from the Eiffel Tower becomes confused as her companions Kiran, Whitney and Kat reveal themselves to be more vulnerable and closer to her than she could have imagined.