Landing Gear by Kate Pullinger

Landing Gear

by Kate Pullinger

"From the award-winning author of The Mistress of Nothing comes a compelling novel that explores the complexity of modern life and the tenuous, often unexpected ties that bind us together. Spring 2010. Harriet works in local radio in London, England. When a volcano erupts in Iceland and airspace shuts down over Europe, stranding most of her colleagues abroad, she seizes the opportunity to take on a larger role at the station. Her husband, Michael, stuck in New York, travels to Toronto to stay with an old flame. Their teenage son Jack, liberated from normal life by the absence of airplanes, takes an unexpected risk and finds himself in trouble. Meanwhile, a Pakistani migrant worker named Yacub is stranded in a labor camp in Dubai, and Emily, a young TV researcher, loses her father to a sudden heart attack. Two years later, their lives intersect dramatically when Yacub, a stowaway, falls out of the landing gear of an airplane and onto Harriet's car in a supermarket parking lot. Yacub's sudden arrival in the lives of Harriet, Jack, Michael, and Emily catapults these characters into a series of life-changing events, ultimately drawing them closer to one another. Winner of Canada's Governor General's Literary Award for her debut American novel, The Mistress of Nothing, which Good Housekeeping called "scorchingly powerful," Kate Pullinger draws on real-life accounts of airplane stowaways as the basis for a highly imaginative story of colliding worlds and extraordinary connections"--

Reviewed by Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews on

4 of 5 stars

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Initial Thoughts:
When I first heard of Landing Gear I thought it had a very interesting premise and was curious as to how all these different stories would twine together.

Fond Of:
I loved the idea of Landing Gear, it was as fresh as the air Yacub breathed in on his way down to Earth, and while each character had their fault, for the most part I enjoyed getting to know each one better. While each was unique in its own way I enjoyed reading about Harriet and Emily the most who search for persons once lost. I think the reason I enjoyed this is because my mother was adopted and searched (and found) her biological parents. While fiction, the thought that persons have gone from letter writing to a search on Facebook is fascinating, if not a little intrusive. As for Yacub, I flopped between my feelings for him. I first found the cultural aspect interesting until he fell onto Harriet's car, then for whatever reason he started to annoy me and thought his mall shopping dragged the story down. But, at the novel's end Yacub became the Superman of the story creating an enriching ending.

Not Fond Of:
When I first began reading Pullinger's novel I became weary of the Prologue. While it was lyrical and beautifully written it was almost too much so (if there is such a thing) almost like the author had gotten a little to lost in her head, and found the segment fragmented. Although, this was quickly remedy once I read further in as each section seemed better connected.

I really disliked Michael's storyline, I've never been one for cheaters and feel like they are a waste of pages, this is just my personal opinion, but I wished he had stayed across the water with the volcanic ash, or that Harriet had kicked him to the curb never to return. I also had a slight issue with the drug use in Jack's part. Perhaps I'm old-fashioned but I found the idea of a fourteen year old partying like a college student ridiculous and a little contrived. I thought these two characters were the least developed and read the parts as if I were being dredged underwater.

Final Thoughts:
Despite the few character flubs Kate Pullinger's novel was exceptional and a novel I've already recommended.

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  • Started reading
  • 10 July, 2014: Finished reading
  • 10 July, 2014: Reviewed