Flight (novel)

Flight is a 2007 novel by Sherman Alexie. The novel follows the experiences of a troubled and orphaned Native American teenager known only as "Zits," due to his acne. After a violent incident at his latest foster home on Thanksgiving, Zits experiences a series of vivid and transformative visions where he inhabits the bodies of different people across various historical periods, each experiencing different forms of violence and trauma.

These experiences include being an FBI agent during the Wounded Knee Massacre, a pilot during World War I, and a Native American boy during the Indian Wars. Each journey allows Zits to grapple with themes of identity, historical trauma, violence, and redemption. Through these disparate perspectives, Zits confronts the legacy of violence against Native Americans and develops a greater understanding of himself and his place in the world.

The narrative structure is fragmented, reflecting Zits' fractured emotional state and the disconnected nature of his experiences. As Zits shifts between these identities, he gradually learns empathy and begins to understand the complex nature of good and evil.

The novel explores the complexities of identity, particularly Native American identity, in the face of historical and ongoing trauma. It also examines the cyclical nature of violence and the potential for healing and understanding. Flight is known for its unflinching portrayal of violence, its exploration of complex themes, and its use of magical realism to convey the protagonist's inner turmoil. It is often categorized as young adult fiction, though its themes resonate with adult readers as well.