In an echo of that night in St. John's, DeFede manages to capture the events in Gander and nearby towns from both sides of the event. The 'plane people' were surprised and touched by the generosity of the volunteers and the Newfoundlander's showed a simple acceptance that helping out wasn't an option, it was their duty. As I read this book, I replayed the experiences of that night and the next few days in my mind and it made a little of the anger, hurt, fear and confusion of that time dissipate as I shared moments with a princess, a group of Orthodox Jews and a chief of intelligence.
DeFede was true to the people of Newfoundland in our language, custom and attitudes. His writing was informal enough that it felt as if a close friend was telling me a story, but structured enough to be able to keep track of 6,595 passengers and crewmembers throughout six days.
Yes, a map would have been useful (I know people that are not from here have a hard time picturing it all) and I wish that it had been a longer book, but all in all, it was extraordinary and I'm only sorry I didn't read it sooner. Those affected by 9/11 (which is to say everyone) should read this book to remember that there is goodness in people and even though we are fantastically different from one another, we can get along.
This book will make you laugh & cry but highly recommended to anyone that wants to be truly touched by the overwhelming show of human kindness in this otherwise scary world.
