Book Review
October Sky – Homer H Hickam jr.
This heart warming and utterly satisfying memoir was crafted by Homer Hadley Hickam jr, Former NASA engineer and war veteran.
Growing up in the era of Sputnik being launched by the Russians, and the Americans working strenuously to catch up with the former, it was indeed a glorious time to be witnessing the American dream come true.
October Sky, Formerly known as rocket boys isn’t a simple tale of a young boy from coalwood West Virginia dreaming of building rockets and succeeding at the journey he sets for himself, the story is much more than that. It’s the friendship Hickam shares, the people he looks upto, his relationship with family and his perception of coalwood and its mining company. Through his narration he takes us on a very moving, emotionally rewarding, inspiring ride.
The main part of the storyline is how young Hickam starts his venture ‘The big creek missile agency’ by teaming up with extremely resourceful classmate Quentin and three of his other friends. They were set to participate in the county science fair and not just won that particular competition but also the nationals.
The peaks and valleys of their journey were portrayed in an intriguing way which made it a completely absorbing read. The entire plot set in the background of coalwood’s bleak sufferings and people being in a state of fretfullness anticipating the mine’s closure, it was a total contrast when these enthusiastic young boys toughened up to reach the sky and helped see the light in darkening times.
From experimenting with the knowledge of amateur physics and math to dwelling into complex nozzle, combustion equations for their age, from rough sketches of the rocket casements to accurately measured components, from giving up too soon to having the courage to build up the endurance to succeed, they surely have set the bar high for their school mates and didn’t let down the ever so supportive people of the town.
Glad I stumbled upon this memoir in a book fair and luckily haven’t watched the movie yet and I’m sure the book outdid the movie :)
