The Book of Flying - by Keith Miller (Paperback)

About the Book

A bold, vivid, fantastical first novel about a young librarian who sets off on a magical journey to gain his wings in order to win the heart of the girl he loves. "The Book of Flying" is a satisfying, old-fashioned story--driven by the sheer power of imagination and the beauty of language.

Book Synopsis

A gorgeously poetic tale of fantasy for adults, The Book of Flying is a beautiful modern fable and daring new take on the quest narrative.

In Keith Miller's debut novel, our hero is Pico, a poet and librarian who is and forbidden to pursue the girl of his dreams - for she has wings, and Pico does not. When he discovers an ancient letter in his library telling of the mythical Morning Town where the flightless may gain their wings, he sets off on a quest. It's a magical journey and coming-of-age story in which he meets a robber queen, a lonely minotaur, a cannibal, an immortal beauty, and a dream seller. Each has a story, and a lesson, for Pico-about learning to love, to persevere, and, of course, to fly.

Review Quotes

A beautiful and haunting modern fable that reads like exquisite poetry...("Booklist") Original...Exquisite...The very plentitude of stories flushes "The Book of Flying" with hope...("Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel")

About the Author

Keith Miller is an American who was born in Tanzania, raised in Kenya, and wrote this novel while living in southern Sudan. He now lives in Egypt, where he is a design consultant and art teacher at a center for refugees. The illustrations in The Book of Flying are his own.