Pusty przelot

Daniel Odija’s novel, Empty Flight, offers a rare insight not only into the world of the mentally sick but also, and perhaps above all, the world of those who live alongside them. In it, we observe the destructive progression of mental illness through the eyes of the sufferer’s brother, the narrator. This gives a clearer picture of how the deteriorating state of the mentally afflicted bears upon the lives of those close to him, especially his family. The destructive force of schizophrenia affects not only its victim, for whom the torment becomes unbearable and, in the end, leads to suicide, but also the brother, who falls into the grips of alcohol, the mother, who cannot cope with the suffering, and the ex-fiancée. It destroys many relationships or turns them toxic.

Both the narrator and the other main characters remain nameless, making it easier for us to identify with them. This could happen to any of us, the author seems to say. Throughout the novel, we accompany the narrator in his attempts to understand what had happened. The author’s highly skilful use of flashbacks allows the truth to be gradually revealed. This effect is further heightened by the same events being seen from different points of view, which come to light when the narrator meets his mother and his brother’s exfiancée after his death. Aside from that, Daniel Odija’s book constitutes an excellent analysis of mental illness along with its obsessions (in this case, they take on “birdlike” connotations, reflected also through symbolism), phases and relapses tensely awaited. This tension is contagious because Empty Flight is an expertly-written novel. Interesting as regards language and style, but also very informative.