Air - John Boyne

‘Air’ is the fourth novella in John Boyne’s ‘Elements’ series, and it’s somewhat apt that we find Aaron Umber and his son Emmett 30,000 feet above the ground on a long haul flight. Emmett is unaware they are going to meet someone from his fathers past, but can they bridge the gap that exists between them first?

Aaron Umber

If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you’ll recognise Aaron Umber - he made an appearance in ‘Fire’ (for me the most uncomfortable book in the series). Umber, now in his forties, is a wounded and guarded man, struggling to deal with the trauma of his past.

He’s trying to connect with his teenage son on the plane, and failing badly. A lot of the narrative is in Aaron’s mind, as he wrestles with the demons of his past. It’s a bit of a cliche, but this is as much of an emotional journey as a physical one.

Because of his traumatic past, he’s overly protective of his son. He obviously loves him, but he can’t express it, and the interactions between them are emotionally fragile. Emmett comes across as an intuitive lad, and can sense that something is being withheld from him.

Story

The tension doesn’t come from the plot, but rather the emotional tension as the past and the present come together, and it’s the psychological depth of the characters and how their emotions shift that drives the story. Boyne is excellent at ratcheting up the internal drama as the pair reach their destination, which ties in nicely with the first novella ‘Water’.

I found this to be an engaging read, and a perfect end to the series. I didn’t find this as dark as the other novellas, as it doesn’t go to some of the dark places the others did. With well rounded characters and humour in there too, it was a emotionally satisfying conclusion and brought the themes together nicely.

Elements Series and Themes

Now the series has ended, it’s possible to see the themes that run through the series. Obviously trauma is the biggest one - from the isolation it causes after a family falls apart, struggling with memories, and the intergenerational trauma that often results.

For some of the characters, there is the issue of guilt and what they either did or didn’t do. Silence can be a haven, a protective shield - but the characters often become emotionally stunted, unable to form connections with the loved ones closest to them, living a sort of half life. Often it’s an act of self preservation but it can ultimately consume you.

I think it’s fitting that the series finishes back where it started - on a remote island off the West Coast of Ireland. It connects the novellas, as do the little momments throughout where the storys overlap and previous characters reappear. Maybe I’m wrong, but I felt that Boyne was showing us that we are all attached in some way, even though it may feel that we are separate like the stars. The characters don’t find redemption, rather there are small momments, maybe through a small act or brief interaction, where they find some solace and hope that their journey of healing is at least beginning.

There aren’t any easy answers in these books. These are complex issues, and if you’ve read any of his other works such as ‘All the Broken places’ (also about guilt and trying to escape the past) you’ll know he doesn’t shy away from posing thought provoking questions for his readers. Big questions about guilt, about trauma, about our big messy human lives.

The thing that stands out most for me with John Boyne is that he is a wonderfully emotional storyteller; he has a great gift for creating these damaged, brittle characters, often showing us the worst momments in their lives, but always without judgement. Reading his books sometimes feels like an act of empathy.

Summary

Would I have enjoyed ‘Air’ if I hadn’t read the previous books? As good a storyteller as Boyne is, I honestly don’t think so. The backstory here is particulary important, and I felt emotionally invested in some of the characters by this stage. Honestly, if you’ve just lifted this on a whim, I’d go back to to the first novella - or better still, wait until they are released in one volume.

‘Air’ does a fine job of bringing the quartet together,showing us truama reverberates across people and places, and letting us know the fate of the other characters, with at least one of the them beginning to confront their past.

“I’m not there yet, but one day I will be. At one with myself, at one with the universe, and – finally – at one with the elements.”

176 Pages

Published May 1st by Transworld Publishers

I no longer include Amazon links in my reviews. Please support your local library and bookshops. Libby is also great.

If you do wish to purchase online, feel free to support independent bookshops and contribute to the hosting of this website by purchasing via Bookshop.org