Into the unexplored: Life, love and space

It always piques my interest when a book rises from its ranks of an average rating in your assessment to an emotionally evocative and memorable work, all in the last 50 pages. Despite my chagrin at being won over by surprise, I would say this ‘accidental’ investment in the character arcs makes Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere worth reading. 

A new offering from an author who has hit it big before is always a toss-up. On the one hand, there is pre-existing excitement surrounding this household name’s new world. On the other, a large part of the previous cohort is likely to be disappointed when the story or its characters are either too similar or too different in comparison. Reid is likely to see plenty of such mixed feelings following her latest release.

The author’s 2017 bestseller, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, had received major buzz during the summer of its release. Interestingly enough, this historical fictional romance continues to see significant attention and discussion on BookTok and Bookstagram. Daisy Jones and the Six boasts a similarly large fan following and present-day engagement, along with a television adaptation to boot.

Atmosphere is set against the context of the 1980s space shuttle program at NASA. It features Joan Goodwin, a professor of physics and astronomy, whose love for the stars has followed her throughout her life. Having answered one of the first calls for female scientists to join NASA’s program, Joan’s dreams take off, starting with intensive training among several astronaut aspirants. The story progresses with the unravelling of her life and identity, as she unexpectedly encounters new passions, perspectives about herself, and love. 

The characters Reid writes are diverse and come with their own eccentricities. While enjoyable, the uncovering of these characters is also heavy with the weight of well-worn tropes. We see the opportunistic, single-minded female scientist, who flirts and fawns to her benefit, the helpful and laidback ‘nice guy’ who eventually has his heart broken, a few principled father figure types, and a cool and distant engineer/pilot who draws interest through her intrigue. There’s also the irresponsible younger sister, who neglects parenting duties, and a beloved, special niece. 

Set in the 20th century, the book’s second half delves into the complexities of queer relationships during that time. Reid explores strict organisational policies, social disapproval and the far-reaching implications of both on life and career.

While interesting, the space exploration context makes the first third of the book heavy with technical details and processes that wear out their welcome early on. The actions of most characters also seem predictable, making the story feel like something one has read before. 

Yet, there are several strong glimmers that succeed in capturing the reader — Joan’s inherent goodness and earnestness, for one. A second, surprising factor is the shared love for space exploration and the deep wonder that underlies the astronauts’ motivations and efforts. Moments of humour and light camaraderie cut through the cliches in a way that makes you wish for more. 

Ultimately, despite the unimpressed outlook I had for a large part of the book, the closer it got to its peak, the clearer it became how much I had begun to root for my favourites. At the cliffhanger and at tragic revelations, the grief, fear and hope are real. The last few chapters are laid out by Reid with a skill that captures the eerie silences during a risky space mission that may be going south, the weight of unsaid words, as well as the high-pressure situation.

In all, Atmosphere makes for a sweet, emotional read. While it may not be my top recommendation for something fresh or innovative, the book works well as a familiar romance, set in a unique context. The characters, though typical, grow on you. The passion to explore corners of the universe so beyond our reach, and the quest to be a part of something bigger than the mundane, unfolds. Much like the journey Joan makes, from stargazer to astronaut, the reader takes their own voyage, from intrigue to scepticism to, ultimately, feeling.