The Flamethrowers

THE FLAMETHROWERS

by Rachel Kushner

 

Nominations: Dublin Longlist 2015, James Tait Black Finalist 2013, National Book Finalist 2013, NY Times Finalist 2013, Rathbones Folio Finalist 2014, Women's Prize Longlist 2014

 

Date Read: July 5, 2022

 

The Flamethrowers is a strange novel in that it’s captivating, particularly the level of detail, but you are never quite sure where you’re headed. Indeed, I still am unsure where I went. Is this a novel about a woman finally finding her own identity? We see a lot of Reno becoming but I don’t quite know what she became.

 

Having finished her art degree in her home state of Nevada, Reno heads to New York to experience the art scene there. She has a one-night-stand with Ronnie, who turns out to be Sandro Valera’s best friend. Ultimately, she winds up in a relationship with Sandro, who is related to the Valera motorbike family, Reno’s favorite brand of bike. She briefly sets the land speed record in Bonneville on her Valera motorcycle and is toppled by a gust of wind that should have ended her life but only managed to sprain her ankle.

 

She travels, becomes inadvertently involved with a political dissident in Italy, travels some more, plunges into the art scene, dabbles in the European political scene and rides her bike all over the city. All of this was entertaining but to what end? I’m not sure we actually witness Reno growing up, developing her own voice or freeing herself from the validation of men.

 

The amount of detail Kushner provides throughout is staggering and I often marveled at her research and keen observation of humanity. What would have been great is a plot to go with it. Overall a solid book but not one I would recommend.

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