Humphreys tends to gravitate towards writing historical period pieces so I was no surprise to discover that her debut novel depicts a portrayal of Depression-era Toronto. What was surprising - don't ask me why - was how Humphreys' took a theme like aviation and managed to write about the endurance flight in a way that allows the reader to experience the grueling endurance along side the two fictional female pilots. Grace O'Gorman and Willa Briggs are composite characters of the amazing female pilots of the 1930's... Louise Thaden, Ruth Nichols, Bobbi Trout, Amelia Earhart, Frances Harrell Marsalis and Helen Richey. All amazing women who would not let society's perceptions confine and restrict them from chasing their dreams.

Humphreys' approaches her story from a number of different perspectives: Flashy and confident Grace who is used to the world being her stage; the younger and more inexperienced Willa who is lacking in confidence but eager to please; Grace's older, wiser and somewhat jealous husband Jack who holds the current endurance record his wife is determined to break and young 12-year old Maddy, one of Grace's biggest fan. These character dynamics and differing points of view are enough to create an interesting story but Humphreys goes one further by adding in the growing tide of antisemitism, giving us two stories: one story playing out in the sky, with spectators watching from the ground and a second story focused firmly on the ground, trying to see into the future. Ambitious undertakings for a debut novel but Humphreys doesn't stop there. Oh no, she proceeds to add an examination of language in a visual tactile form (as opposed to our usual spoken or written form) to the mix as well as an examination of love. In the end, this ambitious first novel has a lot going for it, including Humphreys wonderful prose but its a bit too much crammed into one package, and at the expense of any solid character development. I am also annoyed that some of the story lines just 'end', leaving me hanging.

Overall, a good female aviation story with great depiction of Depression-era Toronto. ( )

Just like the Aviatrix's Air Ace Grace and Willa in this book who are perpetually flying in the air to beat an endurance record so will you be as you fly through these pages of "Leaving Earth". ( )

Ein schöner Roman über die Leidenschaft des Fliegens und die Möglichkeit für Frauen zu der damaligen Zeit diesen Traum zu realisieren. Ein wunderbares Buch für einen gemütlichen Lesetag in der Sonne und eine interessante Geschichte über eine mutige und vielleicht ein bisschen verrückte Frau. ( )