Flying Lessons

by Karen Hood-Caddy

The sequel to Tree Fever is a story of redemption and the power of belief. Tree Fever, Hood-Caddy's first novel, introduced strong, spiritual heroine Jessie Dearborn, who struggled to save an old growth stand from a ruthless developer in her small Muskoka town and found her life's meaning in the process. Flying Lessons once again finds Jessie and her small group of friends fighting those who would despoil the beauty of nature, this time the builders of a resort which will destroy the ecosystem of the lake on which she lives. Jesse must wage an exhausting uphill battle against the callousness of those who would exploit the natural world for their own gain. At the same time, Jessie finds herself unexpectedly saddled with a friend's home-based bird sanctuary, where she cares for an injured baby loon who inspires her with its will to live. But Flying Lessons is really the story of two different women as Alex, a hard-driven investment lawyer from the city, faces her own mortality and seeks a healing sanctuary at Jessie's home, where she learns to listen to her inner self again. This is another uplifting tale of personal growth and idealism by a writer with a compassionate, distinctive vision of the world.

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Even though I was raised in a big city, Toronto, and went to University there (York U.--which always sounds a little like swearing) we had an awesome cottage in Muskoka, where I spent many, many hours devouring books!!

Over the years, I saw that pristine natural paradise become a 'playground' of the rich and famous and it lost its feelings of wilderness--something I loved.

So, my books are about people trying to keep that wilderness and all the animals that call the wilderness they're home.

In each book, whether its my adult series or the new YA series, the characters
wrestle with an environmental issue and all the drama that entails... they save lakes, bears, raccoons and all kinds of wild things. Read the books to find out more.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. Quite a lot of opinions in the first few pages. All about doing right, being good etc. too much in your face and off in far too many directions.
The story settles down to become a story but the characters are too predictable and the indigenous guy is over the top. I expected a headdress next.
Good attempt at writing but needs revision.