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The Paradox of Vertical Flight - Emil Ostrovski
The Paradox of Vertical Flight
by: (author)
3.58 60
What happens when you put a suicidal eighteen-year-old philosophy student, his ex-girlfriend, his best friend, and his newborn baby in a truck and send them to Grandma's house? This debut novel by Emil Ostrovski will appeal to fans of John Green, Chris Crutcher, and Jay Asher.On the morning of... show more
What happens when you put a suicidal eighteen-year-old philosophy student, his ex-girlfriend, his best friend, and his newborn baby in a truck and send them to Grandma's house? This debut novel by Emil Ostrovski will appeal to fans of John Green, Chris Crutcher, and Jay Asher.On the morning of his eighteenth birthday, philosophy student and high school senior Jack Polovsky is somewhat seriously thinking of suicide when his cell phone rings. Jack's ex-girlfriend, Jess, has given birth, and Jack is the father. Jack hasn't spoken with Jess in about nine months—and she wants him to see the baby before he is adopted. The new teenage father kidnaps the baby, names him Socrates, stocks up on baby supplies at Wal-Mart, and hits the road with his best friend, Tommy, and the ex-girlfriend. As they head to Grandma's house (eluding the police at every turn), Jack tells baby Socrates about Homer, Troy, Aristotle, the real Socrates, and the Greek myths—because all stories spring from those stories, really. Even this one. Funny, heart-wrenching, and wholly original, this debut novel by Emil Ostrovski explores the nature of family, love, friendship, fate, fatherhood, and myth.
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Format: hardcover
ISBN: 9780062238528 (0062238523)
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages no: 260
Edition language: English
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Community Reviews
FatherCraneMadeMeDoIt
FatherCraneMadeMeDoIt rated it
4.0
I received an ARC of this novel. This is a beautifully written book. Well done inner monologue. While there were a few plot points I was uncomfortable with (kidnapping a baby, getting drunk while watching said baby), overall I liked the story. At times humorous, other times heartfelt, the writing is...
Word Revel
Word Revel rated it
5.0 The Paradox of Vertical Flight
There is something terrifying yet absolutely comforting about coming across a character that seems to be of equal mind to mine. Or maybe it's the author's thoughts that might as well have been pulled out of my very own mind. Not that I could have written this tale but the voice! That voice was like ...
Blogging Between the Lines
Blogging Between the Lines rated it
1.0 The Paradox of Vertical Flight
Ostrovski’s first novel “for teens” is misleading in its claim to tell the “epic” story of Jack’s 18th birthday. With mentions of Kafka, Daedalus, the Matrix, and jumping out of dorm windows in the first 8 pages it seems like maybe the book could deliver a quirky teen read that might appeal to fans ...
ladyreader
ladyreader rated it
5.0 Stellar Story.
So different but so fucking good.I can't begin to think of all the reasons I'm happy this book was referred to me, as I never would have picked it up on my own.The story is real, humorous, and at times very sad. It truly is the perfect story of a young man dealing with some of the largest and most d...
Oh, Chrys!
Oh, Chrys! rated it
5.0 The Paradox of Vertical Flight
With its hilarious and contemplative content, The Paradox of Vertical Flight is a riveting debut that has won me over. Embracing philosophy and oozing with originality, this novel is the literary equivalent of an onion with its many layers. Ostrovski never gives readers a dull moment in this fast-pa...
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