Descriptions of the horrors of war and the excitement of battle are engaging, and the unusual element of the carrier pigeons lends an intriguing twist. Hlad's debut snares readers with its fresh angle on the blitz of WWII, focusing on the homing pigeons used by the British, and the people who trained and cared for them. Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife and Love and Ruin A compelling debut told with conviction and great heart. Hlad makes these amazing birds and their trainers shine in The Long Flight Home - a sweeping tale full of romance and espionage, poignant sacrifice and missed chances, uncommon courage and the ongoing costs of war. I've always been fascinated by homing pigeons, and A.L. Tense, heartwarming and life affirming, The Long Flight Home gives a fresh slant on heroism in WWII - Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness novels Susan Wiggs, # 1 New York Times bestselling author It's a gorgeous, impressive first novel by a hugely talented author. Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton ISBN: 9781529311464 Number of pages: 384 Weight: 280 g Dimensions: 196 x 130 x 26 mm MEDIA REVIEWSīased on true events, The Long Flight Home has everything I love in a novel-the sense of discovery, the epic drama of a life-or-death situation, and the soaring sense of hope gained from the depths of despair. Despite their growing friendship Ollie and Susan must soon be parted - but will Duchess's devotion and sense of duty prove to be an unexpected lifeline between them?īased on true events, The Long Flight Home is an uplifting and timeless wartime novel, that reminds us how, in times of hardship, hope is never truly lost. The National Pigeon Service has a dangerous mission to air-drop hundreds of pigeons into German-occupied France. But Ollie doesn't expect his quest to bring him instead to the National Pigeon Service - a covert new operation involving homing pigeons - and to Susan. Thousands of miles away, Ollie Evans, a young American pilot decides to travel to Britain to join the Royal Air Force. Of all Susan's birds, it's Duchess who is the most extraordinary, and the two share a special bond. Inspired by true events, and perfect for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Dear Mrs BirdĪs enemy fighter planes blacken the sky, Susan Shepherd finds comfort at her home in Epping Forest, where she and her grandfather raise homing pigeons. A heart-breaking and moving story of love and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of the Blitz.

The long flight home book review