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    The Long Flight Home
    The Long Flight Home
    The Long Flight Home
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Long Flight Home

    Written by Alan Hlad

    Narrated by Simon Vance

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    About this audiobook

    It is September 1940-a year into the war-and as German bombs fall on Britain, fears grow of an impending invasion. Enemy fighter planes blacken the sky around the Epping Forest home of Susan Shepherd and her grandfather, Bertie. After losing her parents to influenza as a child, Susan found comfort in raising homing pigeons with Bertie. All her birds are extraordinary to Susan-loyal, intelligent, beautiful-but none more so than Duchess, who shares a special bond with Susan and an unusual curiosity about the human world.

    Thousands of miles away in Buxton, Maine, a young crop-duster pilot named Ollie Evans has decided to travel to Britain to join the Royal Air Force. His quest brings him to Epping and to the National Pigeon Service, where Susan is involved in a new, covert assignment. Codenamed Source Columba, the mission aims to air-drop hundreds of homing pigeons in German-occupied France. Many will not survive. Those that do make the journey home to England can convey crucial information on German troop movements-and help reclaim the skies from the Luftwaffe.

    The friendship between Ollie and Susan deepens as the mission date draws near. When Ollie's plane is downed behind enemy lines, both know how remote the chances of reunion must be. Yet Duchess's devotion and her singular sense of duty will become an unexpected lifeline.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHighbridge Company
    Release dateJun 25, 2019
    ISBN9781684417711
    Author

    Alan Hlad

    Alan Hlad is the internationally bestselling author of historical fiction novels inspired by real people and events of WWI and WWII, including The Book Spy, Churchill’s Secret Messenger, A Light Beyond the Trenches, and the USA Today and IndieBound bestseller The Long Flight Home. A member of the Historical Novel Society, Literary Cleveland, Novelitics, and the Akron Writers' Group, he is a frequent speaker at conferences, literary events, and book club gatherings. He currently divides his time between Ohio and Portugal and can be found online at AlanHlad.com.  

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    Reviews for The Long Flight Home

    4/5

    83 ratings17 reviews

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    • 2/5
      It had potential, but fell flat at each point I thought it might get good. It’s a snoozer.
    • 5/5
      A wonderful historical fiction book! I learned lot about the importance of pigeons used during WWII. The author made that era come alive. Clean. Wholesome. Heart-warming.
    • 4/5
      Excellent piece of historical fiction
    • 4/5
      Many novels have been written about World War II heroes. In “The Long Flight Home” (2019), Alan Hlad's first novel, that hero is a pigeon.In the autumn of 1940, German planes bomb London and other British targets nightly, and a Nazi invasion is expected at any time. The British look for anything that might give them an advantage, and somebody thinks of homing pigeons. The National Pigeon Service quickly organizes and enlists pigeon owners throughout the nation.Among these are Bertie Shepherd and his granddaughter Susan, who own some of the best racing pigeons in England. Yet Bertie's age and infirmities make his participation difficult, so Susan takes over the operation. The plan calls for dropping pigeons into France in hopes that members of the French Resistance will find them and and use them to send messages about German activities back to England. (Instead, most of the pigeons are eaten by hungry Frenchmen.)Meanwhile an American pilot named Ollie Evans suddenly loses both his parents and their farm and decides to go to England to try to join the Royal Air Force. But after he assaults an RAF officer he sees offending Susan, he winds up helping her with the pigeon project as an alternative to prison. They quickly fall in love.The hero pigeon is Susan's pet, Duchess, not actually part of the pigeon drop. Yet through a comedy of errors both Duchess and Ollie, not to mention the RAF officer Ollie struck, find themselves on the same plane that's shot down over France.Homing pigeons normally fly in just one direction — toward home — yet Duchess has two homes — with Susan and with Ollie — and thus carries messages back and forth between the two lovers.Hlad keeps the tension high as Ollie and the British officer, both injured in the crash, elude Germans in their struggle to find a way back to England. The bittersweet ending may not be the one readers hope for, but it is one they will remember.
    • 5/5
      Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad is a gripping war-torn love story that it simply unputdownable! When his parents are killed in a tragic accident, Ollie, a young cropduster pilot from Maine, decides to stowaway on a ship bound for England in order to join the RAF. Upon arrival he ends up in a skirmish defending Susan, a local pigeon farmer, from an RAF pilot who is a hot-headed bully. Instead of flying the skies as a pilot he is assigned to a new RAF unit called Operation Columba. Hundreds of thousands of carrier pigeons from British countryside breeders were to be confiscated and used for the war effort. These birds were to be parachuted into French resistance territories and used for communications against the Nazis. When Ollie and Susan meet again and team up together to assist the RAF with the pigeon operation, they quickly fall in love. But as wars go and as bombs fall during the London Blitz, the two are separated as each have their own dangerous missions to survive through. Never knowing whether the other is still alive, their only hope is that their prize pigeon named Duchess will save the day to help end the war and that soon they will be reunited.I learned so much about the recruiting of the pigeons during WWII and found the whole topic fascinating. In this story the true heroine is Duchess, Susan's pet pigeon who was never supposed to be part of the mission. Yet, Duchess flies the skies nightly carrying coded messages that allow Susan and Ollie to keep the faith.The novel is based on a true story and it is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. 5 stars, great read!
    • 5/5
      I liked this book so much I bought it twice! After passing my original copy on to my mom, I later was bummed I no longer had it, so what did do? I of course ordered another copy. (Ha ha.) From the beautiful cover art, to the steadfast, stubborn, yet lovable character of Susan Shepherd, this novel is an utter gem.

      If you follow my reviews, you’ve likely seen me say that I’ve read enough WWII novels to choke a horse… Okay, so I would never wish to actually choke a horse, but you get what I’m saying. You’ve also likely seen me mention that I’m really hoping authors will start focusing on a different era for once. That said, I unabashedly immediately fell in love with “The Long Flight Home”. And I have to admit I’ll never look at a pigeon the same way again!

      Susan Shepherd and her grandfather Bertie raise homing pigeons in 1940’s rural England. As fears mount of a German invasion, Susan is roped into a government scheme to drop pigeons into occupied France, with the hope they’ll bring back critical intelligence from behind enemy lines. Susan’s pigeons are as dear to her as pets, especially Duchess whom she has raised by hand from an egg. While she does her part for the war effort, she is skeptical of the plan, and afraid for her pigeons. Susan is also not afraid to speak her mind to the military men and reveal the holes in their plans.

      If it weren’t for the pigeon plan, however, Susan would not have met Ollie, an American pilot with the British Royal Air Force. Susan and Ollie’s friendship grows over the course of the pigeon missions, but all is at risk when Ollie fails to return from a mission to France.

      Based on actual, historical events, this tale will have you turning pages late into the night. If I had one complaint, it’s that I would have personally written the pages leading up to the end of the story a little differently, but I’ll not spoil it for you. Give it and read and leave me a comment on what you thought! You can’t help but walk away from this one with nostalgia for a simpler time and a serious case of the warm-fuzzies.

      #TheLongFlightHome
      #AlanHlad
      #KensingtonPublishingCorp
      #OnceUponABookClub
      #OUABC
    • 4/5
      Beautifully written and well researched, "The Long Flight Home" was an intriguing read. Before starting this book I knew a little about the use of pigeons during the London Blitz but, by the end, I knew so much more. It was fascinating how these intelligent little birds were used to carry messages between England and France. The distances they flew were amazing.There were some likeable characters in this novel and some unlikely heroes, but the ones that won my heart were Louis, the truffle pit, and Duchess, Susan's pet pigeon. They brought warmth and humour to the story. I also enjoyed following the lives of Ollie, Bertie and Susan during the dark days of WWII, although the dialogue at times was a bit simplistic. However, the romance between Ollie and Susan was sweet and I thought the author did a good job with the ending.Ultimately, "The Long Flight Home" was a story of courage, resilience and bravery. A touching read.
    • 3/5
      3 starsI got the long flight home as an ARC through Goodreads, expecting a run of the mill WW2 Historical fiction. You know the kind, where hope prevails and love cures all hardships. In a way I did get that but also not quite. See, this book has probably a more controversial ending than I've seen in a while where hope does prevail but has a more realistic spin. Now I had some gripes with the book immediately; pacing. Things don't build up, they spin out of control randomly and fade away. I felt whiplash from the pacing, like the author wanted to get on with the story and rush ahead. Romance also wasn't really built up at all, they just were immediately in love. So it wasn't very interesting honestly. What was interesting was character interaction and banter. I found the humor also made me smile which was nice considering current times.So overall it didn't stand out but it did have heart in a time where that is needed the most.
    • 4/5
      Before reading The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad, I had never heard of war pigeons, nor did I know how they were used by the Allied forces to help win WWII.

      Hlad’s historical fiction account captured my attention and compelled me to keep reading (even while sick with the flu) from the first page to the last. It was one of those stay-up-til-I-finish-at-2 a.m. kind of books. The characters were well-developed, the plot believable, and the ending, though I wished for something slightly different, was satisfying. The shining star in the story is Duchess, the wonder pigeon, who ties the book together from start to finish. Grab a tissue and be prepared not to put the book down until you’ve turned the last page.
    • 4/5
      Interesting. I learned plenty! I didn't know they were still using carrier pigeons in WWII! And... everything I thought "oh really?? come on that's just not realistic" was one of the factual parts of the story hahahahah

      Easy read - and Oliver from Maine had THE. WORST. LUCK. lol

    • 4/5
      The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad  is an informative yet poignant novel which takes place during World War II.

      In 1940, Susan Shepherd and her grandfather Bertie answer their country's call to duty when asked to provide homing pigeons for Britain's latest covert operation. Operation Columba is a clever plan in which hundreds of pigeons will be dropped over France. The hope is French citizens will send the pigeons back to their owners with valuable information detailing Nazi troops within their country.  Susan and Bertie welcome their opportunity to serve their country but Susan cannot help but fear for the safety of their flock. The only pigeon she refuses to send is her hand-raised pigeon, Duchess. With the Nazi bombings of London intensifying, Susan and Bertie anxiously await the return of their pigeons which they hope will provide critical details of the Nazis activities.

      In Buxton, ME, Oliver "Ollie" Evans is frustrated by the United States' refusal to become involved in the war in Europe.  He lives on a farm with his parents and he is an experienced pilot due to his family's crop dusting business. Following a tragic loss, Ollie is determined to travel to Britain and join the Royal Air Force which consists of other Americans who are helping the RAF.  Despite the difficulties he encounters on his journey, Ollie's dream is within grasp when  an altercation with RAF Flight Lieutenant Clyde Boar changes his destiny.

      Following a serendipitous metting, Ollie is sent to work with Susan and Bertie on their farm.  Forming a fast friendship, their lives take yet another unexpected turn through a series of unanticipated events.  Susan is left to worry about Duchess and Ollie's safety while at the same time facing an increasingly worrisome crisis with Bertie. Duchess plays a heartwarming role in their lives but will outside forces continue to keep them apart?

      The Long Flight Home is an engaging novel that is well-written and educational. The plot is quite unique and highlights a little known yet extremely important mission in which homing pigeons play a vital role in the early years of World War II. Susan, Ollie and Bertie are well-developed and appealing characters that are easy to like and root for. This clever debut by Alan Hlad is well-researched and provides a fascinating peek into an intriguing part of World War II history.

      An emotional, riveting novel that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.
    • 3/5
      Interesting story of the use of carrier pigeons during WWII.
    • 5/5
      Very entertaining, not all of the descriptions about the Homing Pigeons is accurate, but unless you were a Pigeon fancier you'd never know any difference!
    • 4/5
      Ollie, a crop duster from Maine, decides to join the Royal Air Force. His plans change when traded by an officer to a nearby Epping farm. Susan helps her grandfather raise pigeons used by the Royal Air Force. The two develop a friendship. When Susan's pet pigeon mistakenly gets loaded onto an RAF flight, Ollie attempts to rescue it but ends up a stowaway aboard a plane shot down in France. He uses the pigeon to send a coded message to Susan, beginning a series of messages between the two as he and the surviving RAF pilot attempt to get out of the country. It took me awhile to get into the story, but once I did, I truly enjoyed it. The book's inspiration came from real events although the story is the author's own. I received an advance review copy from the publisher through GoodReads. No review was required although an honest one was appreciated.
    • 5/5
      Let me say right away that I unhesitatingly recommend The Long Flight Home. If you like a solid story with good, strong characters this book is for you. It’s beautifully written and will make you think and it will stay with you.I enjoy historical fiction, especially when it’s based on actual facts or events, and World War II is a favorite period to read about. But I somehow missed pigeons playing a part in the British resistance. The resourcefulness and innovation were amazing, and the stories of everyday people standing up and banding together to protect their country touch your heart.The Long Flight Home is a slow deliberate read, loaded with details, the words painting a very clear picture of the circumstances and the devastation, both Ollie’s and Susan’s surroundings and of them as people. You will want to savor every page. It’s full of vivid characters that are strong and courageous and weak and cowardly – in short, human. The setting and atmosphere are lush, taking you from “Oliver from Maine” to Susan and her grandfather Bertie in Epping to Madeleine and her truffle hog Louis in France to an escape to Spain, and back around again. They are all fighting to “. . . give us back our sky.” as a man in a shelter says.The Long Flight Home is a wonderful story. It’s about friendship and loss and love and sacrifice and doing what you must – as Bertie says, “Be an egg.” This means you can be soft with fear inside but hard as slate outside. Words to live by.Thanks to Kensington Publishing Between the Chapters Book Club for providing the beautiful advance copy of The Long Flight Home with accompanying historical material for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. This was a totally satisfying read and I recommend it without hesitation. I am looking forward to the next book by author Alan Hlad.
    • 5/5
      Wow, this book is a true treasure. One that will have readers talking for years. In fact, I would actually put The Long Flight Home in the same category up there with The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This book is really that spectacular. I absolutely loved this book. Mr. Hlad is a prolific storyteller. The Long Flight Home is a five star recommended read!Bertie and Ollie were great characters. The book is told from their points of view. So their voices really stood out. Yet, they were so engaging and very likeable that it was easy to become very in tune to their stories. I have read some informati0n about birds being used during the war to help relay coded messages. So I was familiar with this concept but I had not read the story that inspired this book. The one where a man renovating a house finds the remains of a bird with a tiny container and a coded message inside the container. That bird was like Duchess, who was the featured bird in this story. She learned to fly back and forth bring messages from Bertie to Ollie and visa versa.
    • 5/5
      historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-figures, historical-research, England, France, love, WW2, war-is-hell *****This is essentially a love story. Love for homeland and way of life, love for the pigeons that gave their lives in the war effort, love of family, love of men to fly airplanes, and the author's love of a historical footnote. It's also about man's inhumanity to man. But mostly about perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds. It is an excellent read. I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books.