The Edge of the Cloud

The Edge of the Cloud follows Christina Parsons and Will Russell in pre-World War I England as they pursue their dreams against societal expectations. The young couple starts a new life in London, where Will works at a flying school while Christina finds employment at a hotel. The novel captures the excitement and danger of early aviation, with Will immersing himself in the nascent world of flight instruction and aircraft mechanics. Their lives become intertwined with other aviation enthusiasts, including fellow instructor Sandy and his girlfriend Dorothy, as they navigate the challenges of their unconventional choices. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Britain, this second installment in the Flambards trilogy explores themes of independence, social class, and the price of following one's passions. The novel examines the tension between tradition and progress, both in society and in the characters' personal lives.

Readers describe this second book in the Flambards series as a compelling romance and coming-of-age story set against early aviation history. Readers highlight the accurate period details about early flying machines and appreciate how the relationship between Christina and Will develops naturally. Many note the book works well as a standalone story. Several reviews praise Peyton's ability to create tension around the dangerous flying scenes. Some readers found the pacing slower than the first book and wanted more scenes featuring the Flambards estate. A few mentioned struggling with Will's single-minded obsession with flying. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (30+ ratings) "The historical details about early flight make this absolutely fascinating," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The flying scenes had me on the edge of my seat - you can really feel how precarious those early aircraft were."

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🔸 Early aviation pioneers faced a staggering 90% casualty rate during the first decade of powered flight (1903-1913), highlighting the incredible risks taken by characters like Will Russell in the novel. 🔸 K. M. Peyton wrote over 50 novels during her career, primarily focusing on horses and young adult themes before exploring aviation in this series, which began with "Flambards." 🔸 The Edwardian era (1901-1910) saw the first official powered flight in Britain take place at Farnborough in October 1908, performed by Samuel Cody in "British Army Aeroplane No. 1." 🔸 London's first aerodrome, Hendon Aerodrome, opened in 1911 and became a crucial center for early aviation training and demonstrations, similar to the settings described in the novel. 🔸 The book is the second installment in the Flambards series, which won Peyton the prestigious Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1970.