Part 2: Katherine V.S K

Summary

The second section of the book follows Ken as he begins an unexpected relationship with his brother's ex-girlfriend, Kathryn. She was David's girlfriend while he was in college and also his most significant girlfriend after Rina. After the death of David, Ken saw Kathryn twice in the first month and after a year or so they encounter each other at Penn Station, while both looking for a ride to Philadelphia. Once all settled on their transportation, they spent the whole way talking and getting to know each other. Interestingly enough, the topic of David never once surfaced. It was during this moment when Ken began to fall for the a girl named K. 

David and Kathryn (1982)

"A clarification: I do not refer to K as "K" in order to mask her identity. K's name is Kathryn. I call her K in order to differentiate her as a significant character in two different stories, mine and my brothers" (74). 

Many of David's notebook entries were  dedicated to Kathryn, as she was his first real love. She was his biggest support system regarding his writing. Ken obviously knows this too from all the "research" he's done of looking through David's old notebooks. That being said, both him and Kathryn have yet to announce their relationship to the rest of their families. 

Review

I found this section to be very interesting! Just like the last section this book proved itself once more as being impossible to put down. However as "interesting" as I deemed it, I also found ridiculously strange that Ken ended up having a romantic relationship with David's one and only, Kathryn. Through David's old journal entries and Ken's words, she truly sounds like an incredible girl, but I still wrap my head around one brother dating his older brother/best friend's old girlfriend. Both Ken and Kathryn would probably understand my point of view because in the section I've read, they have yet to tell their families about their newfound interest in each other. Apart from that, it is clear that Ken has picked up a few tricks from David because his writing is very descriptive and sophisticated. I am looking forward to see where his life is headed next... With or without Kathryn.

Ken and David on vacation in Florida (1974)

Focus: Author's Point of View and Purpose

Right off the bat, Ken confesses to the reader that he has started this book "a hundred times in the years since David died". With that honest mention it is clear that the subject he's addressing in the book, is a difficult one to relive. Obviously he plays a role in the story as it was his brother, and best friend, that he lost in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Ken tells the story of his life after David. This story embodies the good, the bad, as well as the overall confusion that he experiences while trying to find himself again. One author wrote that it is "A heartbreaking, deeply personal memoir of a brother's quest to know the unknowable, to make sense for what doesn't make sense...". Though I may be wrong, I think this book is a collection of all of the notes Ken took about what he went through after David's death. A bunch of miscellaneous notes is probably all he started with and he might have not known how to connect them all. He wanted to write and honor his older brother but most likely realized that his quest to connect with his David is just as worthy as being told. I'm glad he decided to share his journey with the world as he's showed us that the best lessons we learn all come from the same source; the unexpected. 

Check out the NY Times and this article on the Aviation Security on the Pan Am Flight.

I found these sources very helpful... With them I was able to learn even more about the bombing, which made me feel more connected with story, seeing how tragic it really was and the reasons behind it. 

Part I: Reality Hits

Part 1: Reality Hits

Summary 
The Boy Who Fell Out of the Sky makes an impact from the start with Ken Dornstein, the narrator, reliving the moment he learned that his brother had died. It was the twenty-first of December in 1988 and it just happened to be while Ken, a twenty year old college student, was home on his winter break. His older brother, David was what Ken considered a better version of himself. "He was older, bigger, wiser, more daring, more passionate, better spoken, and much better looking. He traveled farther away from home than I ever imagined I would. I admired him." David, a writer who hoped his words would make an impact on the world,was on board Pan Am Flight 103 and was among the two hundred and seventy people to die that day. The flight was a transatlantic flight from New York City to London that went down due to a bombing. In the section I've read so far, Ken's strength to finally go through his brother's belongings was showcased. He finally decided to go in David's old room and read some of his writing. Hundreds of filled composition books were opened and Ken gained the knowledge that his brother never considered himself a good enough writer to publish any of his work. Later in the section, Ken decides to meet up with some of David's friends that he met while on his travels. This includes David's ex girlfriend from Isreal, Rina. They form an unexpected friendship and bond through their memories with David.

Flight 103 Route

Ken Dornstein

Location of the crash in Lockerbie, Scotland

Review
I couldn't be happier with my book selection! Though it covers a sad topic, it's a perfect example of how to reflect on the negative times in your life with a positive and open mind. By doing this, every so called "bump in the road" is simply just another chapter in YOUR story. Every passenger on Flight 103 had friends and family that were affected, so I appreciate that Ken is opening up and telling how he was affected through his brother's main passion; writing. I also love the fact that Ken made the decision to connect with Rina as I feel that their meet-up helped them both personally and it was a way celebrate David's life. I'm excited to keep reading this book and learn more about the story of the Dornstein's, as well as more valuable life lessons.

Focus: Questions
Here are a few of the questions that came up while reading:

• How did Ken's father remain so calm during the phone call regarding his son's tragic death?
• Where is Ken and David's mom? Were they raised by a single father? 
• If so, does this have anything to do with they handle situations?
• What was Ken's profession in college? Did he perhaps change it to English to honor and "get closer" to his brother?
• When Ken traveled to Lockerbie to see where the plane crashed, what was he expecting to find?
• Is Rina and Ken's relationship transforming from a friendship to a romance? I hope not!

Sources

Here are links to find out more information about Pan Am Flight 103:

Minute by Minute-Pan Am Flight 103 Video

Pan Am Flight 103 Wikipedia