This is the story about a day in the life of Dr. Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon living in London. From the ominous to the mundane, the novel begins with Perowne waking up in the middle of the night and glancing out of his window in time to see a plane crossing the dark sky.
As Perowne thinks of 9/11 and how you can no longer see a plane with the same enthusiasm and lack of anxiety, he notices that the plane is on fire and plunging. This scenario is quickly resolved, as Perowne will find out that the plane landed safely but just as this one scenario is brought to a swift conclusion another one looms up ahead and so on.
As he goes about his day off, Perwone ruminates about life and war, and happiness and its transient nature. He encounters a thug named Baxter, plays a mean game of squash and prepares a meal for his wife, two children and father-in-law. However small the events though, there is a lot of tension rippling through the narrative.
The story can easily stand as a metaphor for a modern society who's had it's confidence challenged. What I liked best though were the moments which were more about the ordinariness of life.
I had a hard time connecting with Perwone, who I found to be very detached even when witnessing or being a part of a terrifying event. And, the riveting conclusion in which Baxter plays an important part was a bit of a letdown for me. Still I did admire this book and I know it's one which will stay with me for a long time.
Additional Resources:
Author's Web Site