Dear American Airlines

Bennie Ford finds himself stranded at O'Hare Airport when American Airlines cancels his flight to Los Angeles, where he is supposed to attend his estranged daughter's wedding. He channels his frustration into writing a complaint letter to the airline demanding a refund. The letter transforms into a confessional narrative as Bennie reflects on his life as a failed poet, recovering alcoholic, and former translator of Polish literature. His story encompasses his troubled relationships, career setbacks, and the choices that led him to this moment of reckoning at the airport. Through alternating timelines and memories, Bennie's experiences intertwine with passages from a Polish novel he once translated, creating connections between his personal journey and broader questions of redemption. The narrative examines how small decisions and missed opportunities can reshape a life's trajectory. The novel uses its unique format to explore themes of regret, reconciliation, and the possibility of second chances, while questioning whether explaining our past actions can lead to understanding or forgiveness.

Readers found this novel's premise creative but many felt it didn't maintain momentum throughout. The epistolary format and dark humor resonated with those who appreciated the protagonist's sardonic voice and reflections on life's disappointments. Liked: - Sharp, witty writing style - Emotional depth beneath the comedy - Realistic portrayal of middle-age regret - Clever structure as one long complaint letter Disliked: - Narrative loses focus in middle sections - Some found the protagonist too bitter/unlikeable - Polish translation passages slowed pacing - Ending felt rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (248 ratings) "Started strong but meandered too much" appears frequently in reviews. One reader noted: "The letter format works brilliantly for the first 50 pages but starts to feel like a gimmick." Several praised Miles' "razor-sharp observations about modern air travel frustrations."

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🛫 The novel is written entirely as a passenger's complaint letter demanding a refund from American Airlines during an extended flight delay. ✍️ Author Jonathan Miles was a cocktail columnist for The New York Times and wrote extensively about spirits and cocktails before publishing this, his debut novel. 🗺️ The main character's journey mirrors classical literary themes, particularly Dante's Inferno, as he descends through various "circles" of airport purgatory. 📚 Within the complaint letter format, the protagonist works on translating a Polish novel, creating a story-within-a-story structure that parallels his own life's journey. 💌 The book was inspired by Miles' own frustrating experience with a cancelled American Airlines flight, though he never actually wrote a complaint letter to the airline.