Book Review | Atmosphere | Taylor Jenkins Read
Honestly, I had high hopes for this book after it was recommended by my local librarian - I checked it out with only a week to read it as it's in high demand right now.
I motored through this book, and while the backdrop and premise is appealing, for me it fell short. Let me explain.
Atmosphere takes place in the context of the 1970's space race. Joan and her friends are all training to be astronauts, and competing to become the first woman sent to space. The gruelling boot camp, the camaraderie of fellow astronauts, and the race to the top are only a small piece of this book.
In addition to her work to become an astronaut, Joan has a close relationship with her niece Francis, whom she has helped raise after her sister had a teen pregnancy. Francis keeps Joan in high regard, and leans on her as almost an extra mom.
The third slice of this book, is a romance. Unfortunately, as the cover marketed it as a Love Story, I kept looking for the romance. I think without that expectation I would have liked the story better, because by about halfway through the novel I put the book down, looked over at a friend and said "this book is supposed to be a romance, and so far I see no romantic prospects."
One could argue that the reason for this absence of spark is because the main character is so unaware of anyone making a pass at her, that the reader too is unaware. However, I think that this is kind of a shitty excuse.
I enjoyed the read, but it left me feeling unsatisfied.
★★★☆☆
