Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere is an epic and emotionally charged journey set against the backdrop of the 1980s NASA Space Shuttle program. When the program advertises for scientists, astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin can’t wait to pursue her dream of becoming one of NASA’s first female astronauts. 

In the summer of 1980, Joan was chosen from thousands of applicants to begin astronaut training at Houston’s Johnson Space Centre. She joins a remarkable cohort including Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond, mission specialists John Griffin and Lydia Danes, Donna Fitzgerald and the mysterious aeronautical engineer Vanessa.

As the group prepares for their first flights, Joan’s journey becomes more than professional, it’s a journey of self-discovery, passion and love. Then, in December 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.

Atmosphere is a fast-paced, dramatic and inspiring story about what it truly means to reach for the stars! Taylor once again showcases her talent for crafting complex, unforgettable characters, delivering a novel that soars with gripping sequences, alongside emotional highs and lows.

One of the central themes in Atmosphere is the experience of women striving to succeed in a male-dominated field. Joan’s journey to become an astronaut unfolds at a time when women were rarely given such opportunities. Her resilience, intellect and quiet determination allow her to push through barriers. The novel also explores the different ways women navigate this challenging landscape. For example, Joan refuses to play by the unspoken rules and forges her own path. Meanwhile, Vanessa approaches her obstacles with confidence, and Lydia relies on fierce ambition. Together, their stories highlight the varied strengths and coping strategies women employ to carve out a place for themselves in spaces that were never designed with them in mind.

Beyond the professional challenges, Atmosphere delves into the complexities of family bonds and personal transformation. Joan’s relationship with her sister, Barbara, is marked by both deep loyalty and fundamental differences. Joan’s nurturing bond with her niece, Frances, provides the young girl with inspiration and encouragement, shifting the family dynamic and revealing new ways to support and uplift each other. Through these themes, Taylor crafts a story that is both timely and timeless, celebrating the extraordinary lengths we go to live authentically. 

“Before writing this novel, I could barely recognise the Big Dipper. But I wanted to make my main character, Joan, a passionate, equitable astronomer. So I downloaded an app, picked up some books, and began studying the stars. What started as my attempt to create an interesting background for a love story, became the beginning of me understanding my place in the world,” says Taylor.

If, like me, you adored Malibu Rising and Carrie Soto is Back, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel, Atmosphere will become your next obsession! 

Follow Taylor Jenkins Reid online and read an extract here.

Reviewer: Andrea Molloy

Hutchinson Heinemann