Let's dive in! I found the structure of this book so compelling. You start off by being thrown into a suspenseful and heartbreaking conflict, just to be hit with a “Seven Years Earlier” on page seventeen. I was hooked from the beginning. It was an incredibly effective and exciting way to start a novel, but what made it even better was how the rest unfolded.
Rather than having standard chapters, each section to follow is broken into seasons and years. With every passage of time, I felt like Reid was very intentionally thrusting me into a setup for what happened in the beginning- grounding me in these different moments and peeling back the veil a little more.
Every conversation feels like a roadmap to the end, you just can't see the whole picture when you're experiencing it. And yet, you still have gripping flash forwards into what's unfolding in the present day. It kept me engaged and reminded me of where I'm headed. Not to mention, there is a special kind of grief you experience as you are moving through intimate life moments with characters you know won't make it to the end.
TJR's writing style is beautiful. This is my first of her books, so I don't know if this is consistent across the board, but wow... I would love to experience life in her head. She does such an impressive job at finding all of the right words to capture beautifully human moments; and not just what it is, but the feeling you have when you're experiencing it. She sets it up in a way that is deeply personal for her character and how they think about the world, but still transports the readers into a memory of what that moment felt like for you as an individual.
The story just flowed, was paced so well and with so many deeply important themes woven in. And honestly, that's probably where my only complaint comes in- I wish there was more. The themes were so layered within the fabric of the story that I go back and forth about thinking we should have gone deeper, but also having in appreciation for it being realistic. There were moments of warmth, but also no real resolution to some of these issues, and I think that speaks to the historical aspect of it. Because the reality is, gender equality wasn't magically resolved because a few women were finally allowed on missions; queer rights certainly didn't exist, let alone being barely tolerated; the injustice of a child not feeling loved by their parents isn't okay just because they have an overwhelming amount of love and care coming from an aunt. But the incredible moments of hope and love that came through this story... made it absolute magic.
What to know going in: Atmosphere is first and foremost, a love story. If you're looking for an action-packed space plot, I wouldn't lean into this one thinking that's what you'll get. However, if you're looking for something that is enriched by the details of Nasa and space exploration, this will still scratch that itch. Atmosphere is also, what I would describe, very much a character driven story. You're enveloped by Joan's mind, and how she thinks her way through her experiences.
And finally, this is a story that reminds us of the importance of reading diversely. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes can open you up to a beautiful world that you haven't experienced or understood before.
And why not do it with a book as amazing as this?
