An Infinite Love Story
In 1968, NASA’s space program is in full swing after President John F. Kennedy’s inspiring vision about landing a man on the moon. Astronaut Joe Mitchell is the mission lead for another lunar expedition, and his beloved wife, journalist Viv, waits at home for him to return. She is a reluctant supporter, not fully convinced that the program is where millions of dollars should be spent, as wives and families live in terror while presenting the façade of perfect families. This plotline is intermixed with Joe and Viv’s earlier love story.
But something has gone very wrong, and the spacecraft is missing. After an agonizing week, no sign of the crew can be found. The men are declared dead. But Viv refuses to believe the dreadful news, especially after she sees clues from her missing husband, messages that seem to tell her Joe could still be alive. No one believes her.
This is a fascinating time, one that still captivates attention today. Cleeton throws us into the action immediately, and we feel Viv’s tension as she waits for news. Cleeton has a deft hand with dialogue and character development, drawing us believably into the scenes. The reader is rooting for this fate-destined couple to be reunited, largely due to the backstory that builds relatability. Also, Cleeton does a terrific job of exposing the hidden costs of the wives and families sacrificing personal freedom and, at times, happiness to support the astronauts.
What I felt was missing was more placement into time and location. At times the dialogue feels too modern, and I would have liked more description and sensory details to make me feel like I was in the 1960s. Overall, I loved the book and the main characters. The momentum builds at a great pace, and Cleeton’s style is engaging and well-written.
