I’m stepping out of my usual nonfiction genre to review this wonderful novel by David Rawlings. The Baggage Handler captured my attention at the title and kept it until the last page!  In fact, after reading this book, I can’t wait to review more fiction!

The author’s excellent descriptions drew me into the story and the characters felt relatable. 

Here’s the back-cover synopsis of the book: 

“When three people take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, their lives change forever.

A hothead businessman coming to the city for a showdown meeting to save his job.

A mother of three hoping to survive the days at her sister’s house before her niece’s wedding.

And a young artist pursuing his father’s dream so he can keep his own alive.

When David, Gillian, and Michael each take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, the airline directs them to retrieve their bags at a mysterious facility in a deserted part of the city. There they meet the enigmatic Baggage Handler, who shows them there is more in their baggage than what they have packed, and carrying it with them is slowing them down in ways they can’t imagine. And they must deal with it before they can leave.

In this modern-day parable about the burdens that weigh us down, David Rawlings issues an inspiring invitation to lighten the load.”

David Rawling’s writing is so good I highlighted some of my favorite scenes where I felt like I was in the story watching each character…

 waiting for David’s luggage with him—

“The knots in his jaw flexed as he ground his teeth. Suitcases emerged in the light. Black, black, black, gray, black, black, silver. David could feel his blood pressure sizzle and spit as each one passed. The baggage sticker started its third lap. Stuck to the carousel. Just like him.”

or with Gillian, as she visited her sister—

“With a deep breath to steel herself, she ascended the slate steps and entered her sister’s perfect life.”

or the conversation Michael would have with his dad about his lost luggage—

“The Spector of his dad’s disappointment again hung over him. He dreaded the conversation he would need to have at home, a barrage of “I told you so’s” peppered with the usual spiel about disappointment in him. A conversation whose script he already knew. One in which he had no lines.”

This book will cause you to consider the heavy baggage you could be carrying around unaware.

But will we let the Baggage Handler take care of our baggage?

“It’s perhaps best if you just think of me as the Baggage Handler. I help people with their baggage—those who want to be helped, anyway!” A sadness filled his eyes. “Not everyone wants to be helped.”

I was given a free copy of this book from BookLookBloggers in exchange for my honest review.