Christian Kracht’s Air unfolds through two storylines that gradually echo one another. The novel doesn’t rush to explain how Paul and Ilder connect. Instead, it lingers within the tension of their possible relationship. Air is a story and also a puzzle. It artfully combines sci-fi with a historical tale, in which Kracht creates a novel that is hard to pin down. I had very little idea what was actually going on, but that never felt like a problem. Part of the enjoyment of Air is its unpredictability while moving through the story alongside the characters, who often seem just as unsure of the world around them. That shared confusion turns the reading experience into a journey, where atmosphere and relationship matter more than explanations. I just wish I had the opportunity to read this book on a snow day.
Air by Christian Kracht, (List Price: $24.99, Liveright, 9781324094586, July 2026)
Reviewed by Chloe, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina