Anne A. Wilson

I saw this novel a couple times at my local bookstore and wasn't sure about it. It's military fiction, which I'm often drawn to, but it also sounded kind of romancy. I worried it would be too far on the romance side for my tastes. Plus, the officer's hair on the cover is unsat. :)

At the mention of Navy SEALs on the back cover blurb, red flags starting unfurling in the back of my mind. I'm not blind, I've seen the covers in the romance section where SEALs seem to be code for Steamy Erotic Amazing Licentious Sex, which is great, but not what I'm currently into reading. On the other hand, I reasoned with myself, standing there in front of the new book table at my local bookstore, Wilson is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and she did serve in the Navy as a helicopter pilot for nine years, so maybe there will be some good action of the military variety. I took a chance and bought it.

So glad I did!

The military action seems realistic without being overly or insecurely technical in detail and the military woman's perspective & experience is highly accurate, from dealing with self-doubts, to the misogynistic culture, to the BS from individual men, to the strong bonds sometimes formed with other women.

In one scene an arrogant male pilot with the call sign Bull (as in bullshit, but also perhaps a nod to Pat Conroy's thinly fictionalized father, Bull Meechum in The Great Santini hits on Sara in a social setting when she's out of uniform. Bull talks nonstop about himself and asks her zero questions, probably assuming he's wowing her. She obviously knows he's full of shit and distractedly listens as he piles lie atop lie. When her friend arrives and the truth comes out, that Sara is an Academy grad, "Bull's drunken smile turns to a scowl, "Bitch," he says, before marching away." That scene nicely encapsulates what military experience can be like for women.

On her website Wilson has a "Pictorial Glossary" of the helicopters and ships featured in Hover, which is pretty cool. I served as landlubber in the Marine Corps in the 1980s and can't imagine the pressures Wilson experienced as a Naval pilot in the 1990s. I've often wished I'd joined the Navy for a chance to serve aboard ship. (Sssh! Don't tell anyone I said that, it's sacrilegious.)

The romance doesn't steal the show nor is it completely unrealistic (no silly scenes where they're off having a hot quickie in the back of a helicopter), but is actually integral to the main character's growth.

In addition to showing the missions Sara flies, her professional challenges, emotional struggles, and budding romance, Wilson also depicts the less glamorous side of military life such as shore patrol duty, obligatory social events, and negotiating the wardroom. Although there is camaraderie, there's also politics and jerky or even dangerous coworkers, as in many work situations.

There's an underlying vibe that I appreciated about this novel: there is no over-the-top glorification of war or service here. For the most part, it's humble people doing their duty, proud of the important work they do. Except for the bad guy, of course, ain't nothing humble about him. Also touching is that Sara is not the only character trying to heal from a past trauma.

Overall, Hover is the best fictional depiction of a women in the military that I've read to date. I'm looking forward to Wilson's second book, Clear to Lift, even if it looks like it will feature a new cast of characters. That's right, after all my trepidation about the romantic elements of this novel, I want to know how things end up for Sara and Eric!… (más)

If this book sounds more like women's fiction, if it sounds more like romance, than the books I usually read, you'd be right. However, I read and enjoyed Wilson's first book, Hover, so much that I definitely wanted to give this one a try. I am very glad that I did. The one thing that annoyed me in that first book was the romantic element, but here in Clear to Lift, Wilson has pulled back on the stick just enough to make Alison and Will's budding relationship perfect. In fact, if most men were honest, they'd admit that this is a book they could enjoy, too. After all, Wilson flew nine years as a navy helicopter pilot. She knows what she's talking about.

The characterization of Alison Malone comes close to perfection. This is a young woman who-- due to her father abandoning the family when she was a child-- has learned to always hedge her bets, to always make the safe choice, to always follow the rules. Being assigned to Fallon's search and rescue team is the one thing she needs to start pulling herself out of that veritable cocoon of security blankets. Watching this sometimes painful process (and getting to know the rest of a fine cast of characters) makes for engrossing reading, but Wilson does not stop there. Oh no....

This author is one of the best writers of action sequences I've ever read. Wilson puts the reader in control of a helicopter during the delicate operation of saving a person's life. Then-- when the reader is still glancing nervously at the fuel gauge and altimeter-- Alison's own life is in danger when she's caught in the mountains during a blizzard. Another entire sequence concerning a flood is also wonderfully written. Wilson knows exactly how to place readers right in the middle of the action, and I for one found my heart in my throat or tears in my eyes on multiple occasions. It reminds me of how few writers lately can get me that invested-- mind and heart-- in a story. Anne A. Wilson has that gift, and you'd better believe I'm eagerly awaiting book number three.… (más)