Awards

• Winner of Betty Trask award 2008

Overview

This is the account of Karen’s experience flying as cabin crew for British Airways over a 12-year period, and the profound impact that experience had on her life. Told with the wit and verve that characterised her debut. Lifting Off is about seeking identity in a heterosexual world, whilst dealing with the fall-out from fractured family relationships. When a colleague suggests to Karen that she should hide her sexuality to make others feel comfortable, she has no idea what the personal cost will be. Having come out as a lesbian she goes back in. Whilst gay male cabin crew are accepted, gay women are forced to hide their true selves. Against a backdrop of exotic locations, hotel bars and nightclubs, Karen slowly unravels as the inability to truly be herself begins to impact on her spirit. In essence it’s the story of how Karen came into land. How she learned to look after herself and discovered her true strength. Ultimately, it is about love and creativity: unconventional love for her gay best friend, the rarity and transformative release through lesbian love, and the freeing impact of her dad’s death. It will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered who they really are or has taken a job that diverts them from who they thought they would be.

Full Product Details

9781739193072

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Sensitive, ferocious and ver funny' The New Statesman. Tremendous! Such a mix of hilarious and poetic and delicate and tough, wonderful'. Ali Smith. 'Quirky, honest, funny and sad. I loved it'. Sarah Walters

Author Information

Karen McLeod is a writer, performance artist and creative writing teacher. She is writer in residence at Bookseller Crow on the Hill. She is also a visiting lecturer in creative writing at UCAS. She performs comedy as Barbara Brownskirt, a Judi Dench mega-fan and poet-in-residence at the 197 bus stop on the Croydon Road in south-east London. More information on her website

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available