“Flying in Place” by Susan Palwick

“Flying in Place” by Susan Palwick is a novel about coming to grips with trauma and death…and with life as well.

All her life, 12-year-old Emma has lived in the shadow of Ginny, her older sister who died mysteriously before Emma was born. Emma is tired of hearing about how perfect Ginny was – so beautiful, so smart, such a talented gymnast.

Besides, Emma has her own problems. At night when her mother is asleep, her father comes into her room and molests her. Emma is afraid that her fragile mother will snap if she tells the secret. So she teaches herself to leave her body while the abuse is happening.

One night as she floats above herself, Emma encounters the ghost of Ginny turning cartwheels on the ceiling. Emma is initially upset by the appearance of the girl she has always considered a rival. But she soon learns that the life Ginny lived was far from perfect. In order to save herself from her father’s nightly visits, Emma must expose the answers to the riddles surrounding Ginny’s death. She must also force herself to do the hardest thing of all: confront her parents with the truth.

“Flying in Place” is a short book that examines the horror of child sexual abuse and how families often hide and sustain it through generations. The story is told in first person from Emma’s point of view. Devoid of self-pity, Emma is an engaging narrator who tells her story in clear language with occasional flashes of dry humor.

Ginny, too, is an intriguing character who insists that Emma return to her body and stop hiding from reality. As Emma uncovers the details of Ginny’s death, she realizes that Ginny has come back to help her avoid the same fate. Emma also realizes that her father abused Ginny too, but she had no one to help or comfort her. Towards the end of the book, Emma pours out her frustration at not being able to ease Ginny’s burden to an adult friend. The friend wisely replies, “Emma, no one can help her. That’s what being dead means.”

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At the end of the book, Emma decides that she will live a full life for both herself and Ginny. Instead of keeping a journal, she writes letters to her sister about the milestones in her life. “Flying in Place” ends on a hopeful note. Palwick does not minimize Emma’s trauma. But it is clear that Emma has the support and strength she needs to overcome it.

“Flying in Place” is a fast read – I completed it in a single sitting – but it is very intense. If reading about child abuse is triggering for you, this book may not be your best bet. But if you enjoy razor-sharp descriptions and dialogue combined with edge-of-your-seat action, “Flying in Place” may well become one of your favorite novels.