What did you think of how this book constantly switched between the "present" action of the missions and flashbacks?

[diamonnd]

I loved it! I especially loved how clear it was when the time was switching...I've definitely read books that have made it much more confusing. But I honestly really enjoyed learning about the major events in the characters' lives that happened in between man missions, and I thought it was a nice break from some of the long descriptions of the man mission locales.

Exactly! You said it perfectly. The domestic events helped build a lot of character development and gave them more depth. I also liked how they would sometimes sort of connect to things happening in the man missions. It made it a lot of fun to read.

[Laura Lee]

I also liked how they would sometimes sort of connect to things happening in the man missions. It made it a lot of fun to read.

He was really good at using the flashbacks as almost a form of foreshadowing, wasn't he? I remember when I got to the part where he and his wife were fighting more and more, I cringed: "No! Don't fight! Work it out. I don't want to read you got a divorce!"

[Gathoni1991]

This style of writing is a way to do away with the monotony of settings and scenes. It makes a reader on their toes so as not to get lost when reading the story.

[Laura Lee]

This style of writing is a way to do away with the monotony of settings and scenes. It makes a reader on their toes so as not to get lost when reading the story.

Very true! Keeps the interest level up, doesn't it?

[AvidBibliophile]

I loved the flashbacks. I think that sometimes when authors try to write that way it becomes very choppy or confusing, but I think his transitions were very smooth and also made me more interested in both storylines. I feel like it would have been much more boring if they had been separated out.

I love some good flashback scenes too, especially when clearly and concisely executed! Sometimes it even involves changing narrative perspectives in a unique way, but the transitions in this one were quite smooth indeed.

[Laura Lee]

I love some good flashback scenes too, especially when clearly and concisely executed! Sometimes it even involves changing narrative perspectives in a unique way, but the transitions in this one were quite smooth indeed.

Yes, that is one of the elements that really impressed me about this book. The flashbacks were woven in with such adeptness, I never "lost" the storyline of either the flashback or the latest man mission. Both worked seamlessly to increase the anticipation for wanting to read more about the other.

[HarryPotterLibrary22]

I loved the flashbacks. I think that sometimes when authors try to write that way it becomes very choppy or confusing, but I think his transitions were very smooth and also made me more interested in both storylines. I feel like it would have been much more boring if they had been separated out.

I love some good flashback scenes too, especially when clearly and concisely executed! Sometimes it even involves changing narrative perspectives in a unique way, but the transitions in this one were quite smooth indeed.

I agree! The flashback scenes in this book were very well done. I never felt confused as to whether I was reading about present-day or the past. It also felt like I was reading the protagonists thoughts and often they aren't in chronological order.

[NetMassimo]

I agree! The flashback scenes in this book were very well done. I never felt confused as to whether I was reading about present-day or the past. It also felt like I was reading the protagonists thoughts and often they aren't in chronological order.

The narration in the first person helps to create that feeling. Clearly that was the author's intent.

[WardahEbrahim]

Yes, I agree. I often get lost and confused with a broken timeline. But he did it well by adding time markers and orientation hints. It worked well.

[ciecheesemeister]

I thought it gave a lot of richness and detail to the story. I liked the technique.

[Sugarlump54]

I loved the flashbacks and agree the author did that very well. I think the events of the trip correlated to their real life events. Like getting stuck in a whirlpool and the monotony he was fighting in his life... Climbing the ice and seeing a beautiful view is like climbing out of the depression of the divorce and seeing the future...I don’t know...maybe I read too much into it.

[Laura Lee]

I loved the flashbacks and agree the author did that very well. I think the events of the trip correlated to their real life events. Like getting stuck in a whirlpool and the monotony he was fighting in his life... Climbing the ice and seeing a beautiful view is like climbing out of the depression of the divorce and seeing the future...I don’t know...maybe I read too much into it.

Oooo. Wow. Yes. Now that you've pointed it out, I can see that. Very insightful. Thank you!

[Vin Doobs]

Switching between the present and the past is fine, as long as the writer manages to execute it effectively. This author succeeds in shifting effectively, and it does not confuse the reader.

[Radhika_]

The author did a great job while switching between the past and present. Some of the things connect on the past with the present. It's a difficult take but he did it very well.

[Megapede]

I think the flashbacks also made the characters more relatable, showing how their relationships built up over the years as well as showing the effects of having family support (or lack of which) and strong friendship bonds, among other themes.

That's a really good point. We wouldn't have felt the same connection to the characters without the rich back story the flashbacks provided. Thanks for sharing!

I agree the author did an excellent job in using the flashbacks to explore and flesh out the characters.