Atmosphere

I almost gave up on this book. At the outset, the writing seemed clumsy, almost amateurish. I kept looking at the cover blurbs, wondering if I somehow had the wrong book inside the right cover.

But I didn't give up, and eventually the writing smoothed out. The story took over, and it became a ride worth taking. More than a little unbelievable, toward the end, but that's okay. It's fiction, and fiction writers can take liberties. We have to, to stick those satisfying landings.

So... NASA, astronaut training, the early shuttle program, women finally breaking into the boys' club, family drama, definitions of family, discovering true callings behind dreams, and love. What's not to enjoy? (Even David Bowie, Joni Mitchell and Ernie from Sesame Street - yay!)