Marsha asked Chris Bohjalian:

Continuation of previous comment: I feel that you used the stereotypical description of a flight attendant when you created Cassie. Would she have had those same qualities if she had been a teacher or a doctor or a lawyer? I think not. You besmirched the occupation of flight attendant in order to get some sensationalism into your book, and in doing so, you made your novel cheap and predictable.

Chris Bohjalian The lovely thing about literature is that it isn't math: two people can have dramatically different opinions and both be correct.

Now, there are at least a dozen another flight attendants in the book who have none of Cassie's characteristics. She is only the character in the novel with a problem with alcohol. (And Russians. And people wanting to kill her.)

Second, I have written 19 other novels and I have had midwives, homeopaths, hedge fund managers, Baptist ministers, lobbyists, lawyers, etc. etc. say that I have besmirched their profession's reputations. I write about human beings and we are all flawed.

Third, in the last hour -- the last hour -- I have had three flight attendants email me to tell me how very much they LOVED the novel and how they had a friend JUST LIKE CASSIE.

The fact is, I have heard from from dozens and dozens of flight attendants who loved the novel.

Finally, Marsha, I want you to know that I am in awe of flight attendants. You do astonishing work to keep us safe and comfortable and I applaud what you do. I am deeply grateful for your service at 35,000 feet -- and at sea level!

All the best,

Chris B.

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