
Lifting Off
Karen Mcleod(Author)
Muswell Press
Published on 7. June 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-7391930-7-2 (ISBN)
Description
Brimming with vertiginous loops and extreme globe-trotting, 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.
Reviews / Votes
'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 WaltersMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
226 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-7391930-7-2 (9781739193072)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
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.