The Flamboyant

by Lori Marie Carlson

Set in the 1920s and 1930s, The Flamboyant tells the life story of Lenora Demarest, an American beauty intent on achieving fulfillment as the first aviatrix in her adopted country of Puerto Rico. Born in 1900, on the cusp of sweeping change in American society, Lenora grows up in a quaint lakeside village in western New York State in the company of her adoring parents and their intellectual friends, After her mother's sudden death, she accompanies her grief-stricken father, Dr. Henry Demarest, to a lush hacienda on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Over the next decade, they turn their tropical estate into a successful grapefruit plantation, and Henry remarries. Meanwhile, Lenora is courted by a dashing American aviator who awakens in her a passion for flying, and a gentle, wealthy Puerto Rican entrepreneur who stops at little to win her affection. In love with both men, Lenora nevertheless confounds her family and friends by her reactions to these very different suitors. Inspired by the life of a historical figure, and set against the vibrant backdrop of colonial politics, The Flamboyant traces the inner life of a quintessential modern woman -- spirited and determined to live out her dreams. In language that captures the great natural splendor of rural New York as well as the Caribbean, it also evokes, in exhilarating colors, the magic of early aviation and pays tribute to an American heroine ahead of her time.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Lori Marie Carlson was born in Jamestown, New York. She went to college at Indiana University, earning a MA in Hispanic Literature. She has taught at several universities.

Carlson has written several books for children and young adults, including Cool Salsa and Sol a Sol. The Sunday Tertulia is her first novel for adults.

Reviews

[Marisa]

Fascinating concept but a bit too slow for me. It took me quite a long time to slog through this novel, which is unfortunate because it’s really a quick read, and it’s not even a bad book. Lori Marie Carlson is a poetic writer, and she has a lovely turn of phrase, so my apathetic reaction to The Flamboyant doesn’t come from a lack of skill on her end. Personally, I just enjoy the books I read to have more movement and more individual investment in the protagonist. Sometimes the different perspectives of minor characters throughout the novel took away from the overarching story, particularly since it’s supposed to be a story about Lenora.

Overall, this isn’t a bad book. It’s not terribly compelling, but that could be personal preference more than anything else.

[Saffron Drew]

Beautifully crafted, understated and evocative. An educated pioneering family, escaping grief through a sense of adventure and exotic enterprise. The young female protagonist defy’s the gender norms of the period to study, lead and live her truth with integrity. Gently feminist, the first female aviatrices are role models and peers in this beguiling and sensual story of independence and social justice. I loved the authors writing.

[Claire]

Just the escape I was after.

[Tara Chevrestt]

I wanted to like this book as the story line about an aviatrix in Puerto Rico is right up my alley, but the way this is told is quite poor. The novel tends to be rushed to put it mildly. It often skips an entire year or even four years between chapters or parts, and not very much changes. The young heroine, Lenora, does not take up flight till over halfway thru the novel. Except for an occasional outing in the air, (also note there is no detail about flying at all except what things look like below) she lives the life of a princess in Puerto Rico. She has numerous suitors that she leads along and refuses to marry, her very own leopard as a pet, and collects jewelry as a mere hobby. There is also very little conversation. The story is told in a style like Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales. I can see it being read to children in a library...."and then the little princess bought a leopard..and recieved a telegram proposing marriage.. which of course she did not accept.. and merrily, merrily, merrily." That is not a direct quote, just the impression I got from this novel.

[Beth Clark]

A rewarding book to read. The slow tempo of the book seemed reflective of the culture where it was set in Puerto Rico. The short chapters resembled like diary entries. Despite their brevity, each was a complete episode. The plot kept me guessing until the end. The characters were likeable - all were people I'd like to know better. The historical and political aspects gave interesting background about the culture, relationships between groups, the feminist movement, and aviation. It made me want to read more.

[Bethany]

I struggled to connect with his book. Perhaps it was the lack of dialogue? I could be misremembering (since I eventually did skim most of this book), but I felt the narration jarringly outweighed conversation. Also there were so many section breaks, so many years passed over. I don't know. I just didn't enjoy this book much.

[Jamaela]

In entirety, the pace of the story is slow. Even if this fact was dragging as a whole, it didn't fail in vividly describing the lifestyle of a young and adventurous woman in the form of Lenora. This helped shape a picture of the status of women and the world in 1920s and 1930s. As a whole, it did lack a sense of conflict, which is somewhat bland in the story.

[Robin]

Historical novel loosely based on aviatrix Clara Livingston, who was inspired to take up flying by a man who later unsuccessfully pursued her as a wife. She was an independent woman growing up in the 20s in Puerto Rico and Chattaqua, NY.

[Master]

If you're looking for twists n turns in the plot, you'll be sorely disappointed for the book is quite predictable. i can't really put my finger on what i like exactly but it can be a good beach book or a travel companion

[Carol]

From Laura

[Julie]

Very cultural, vivd imagery. About Puerto Rico, the island feel, doesn't tie up nicely at the end but worth the read.