About four years ago, I came across the book Hotel Babylon. And when I learned that there was an Air Babylon, I thought I'd give it a try. The concept behind the *-Babylon series of books is essentially "look at how things work behind the scenes and isn't it outrageous". Allegedly, all the events in the books are based on true stories told to the author by "Anonymous", people within the industries whose names and employers cannot be revealed "for legal reasons".
In Air Babylon, all the events related to the author by Anonymous are condensed into a single 24-hour day of a single airport employee. However, this artificial intensity of strange things makes everything seem a bit absurd. This is a problem in a book that ultimately depends on being believable enough to "shock" the readers with real-life events. The book presents itself as an exposé, but in the end, it seems like a collection of anecdotes about things that happen so infrequently that they are not really shocking or even surprising.
The story itself becomes a distorted framework on which every juicy anecdote struggles for space. The reader follows an airport supervisor and his colleague, Andy, during a workday at the airport and then eventually onto a flight as they head to Dubai to celebrate Andy's birthday. Along the way, they encounter a gallery of other forgettable caricatures. The birthday in Dubai becomes an excuse to emphasize all the drugs, sex, and seemingly endless partying that everyone in the airline industry engages in all the time, something the reader is constantly reminded of throughout the book. Unfortunately, this, and everything else with a racy angle, is emphasized to the point where it becomes annoying. Not as much as I feared, but still more than I would like. Oh, and in case anyone starts to actually care about the characters, there is also a ridiculously predictable love story that allows everyone to go home with a smile on their face.
I have to admit, though, that Air Babylon isn't a terrible book. It held my interest, if only for the occasional airport and airline trivia that just manages to stay above the frequent debauchery. Unfortunately, it didn't come close to shocking or scaring me. There is plenty of stuff that probably should have shocked me, but it didn't. It's not even a matter of me doubting its authenticity. Everything is just presented in such a silly way that I can't take it seriously. Ultimately, I had relatively low expectations, and the book met them.
It’s not the most intellectual book I have read. In fact, it may not even come close to being considered a highly intellectual work. However, that doesn't mean it lacks value. I found myself completely engrossed in it and read it in one day. The story was so engaging and filled with interesting characters and plot twists that I simply couldn't put it down. It was very entertaining, providing a great escape from the daily grind. I was able to lose myself in the pages and forget about my worries for a while. Despite not being a masterpiece in terms of intellectual depth, it still managed to capture my attention and keep me entertained from start to finish. It goes to show that sometimes, a book doesn't have to be overly intellectual to be enjoyable.
A highly entertaining exploration of the airline industry awaits you. Imogen Edwards-Jones has masterfully taken the tales of real events shared with her by airline workers and crafted them into a captivating novel. The story unfolds over a span of 24 hours at a fictional airline, offering a unique and engaging perspective. The narrative is filled with a perfect blend of hilarity and horror, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Whether you are a frequent traveler or simply curious about the inner workings of the airline world, this book is a must-read. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the often chaotic and unpredictable lives of those who work in the industry, as well as the experiences of the passengers they serve. Prepare to be entertained, informed, and perhaps even a little shocked as you journey through the pages of this remarkable novel.