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Travolta's fable for his son should resonate with us all
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John Travolta loved flying so much he named his first child, a boy, Jett. With the money that came from a successful television and film career, Travolta was able to reach for the skies and grab not only a pilot’s license, but his own fleet of planes. With his wife, actress Kelly Preston, he maintained homes in Florida, California, and the Bahamas.
But happiness, for the Travolta’s, like with most people, was derived, they said, from the simple things in life. Like seeing their children smile. Jett was born in 1992. They also have a daughter, Ella, 8.
Propeller One-Way Night Coach is a children’s book or "a fable for all ages." It was written and illustrated by Travolta shortly after his son was born. It was, ostensibly, for just the boy, family and friends, but was published in 1997.
On the surface it’s a simple story about an 8-year-old boy, named Jeff, who gets his first chance to realize his dream of flying on an airplane. It’s 1962 and the prop plane era. He’s been collecting airline schedules for “forever” and the surprising opportunity comes when his single mother announces they are going to California where she intends to become an actress.
Their stops include Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas and, finally, Los Angeles. What sounds like a nightmare puddle-jumper is a thrill for the boy. His mother drinks and seems obsessed with status and that rubs off on the boy. He’s impressed when a nice flight attendant named Doris bumps them into first class at Chicago.
Readers who cared to post opinions about this book on Amazon.com seem divided between those who think it’s vapid, an example of how you can publish anything if you’re a celebrity, and those think it’s wonderful.
When I read it awhile ago, I thought James Thurber whimsy and charm. The excitement and awe of the little boy was palpable. In this, Travolta did a good job. It would be hard to love flying as much as he does and not convey some of this and he succeeds. A boy's life changes after one magical night.
Many found the cover claims that this is a “fable for all ages” to be false.
Many, including Entertainment Weekly and a freelancer’s review in Newsday, claimed there was no moral to found whatsoever. No point. Not a lesson to be learned in 42 pages.
But a Hayward, California writer said:
“This book contains one of the best lessons an author can provide...through the magic of a young boy's mind we are given a refreshing reminder to stay youthful, keep dreaming, and appreciate the simpler things in life. Sometimes that's all we're missing in our lives and how easily we forget it! Those reviewers who didn't see that in this book are very good examples of this.”
Jett Travolta died yesterday after an apparent seizure.
We can only add, to Travolta’s message, “while you can.”
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