Content Warning: This review and the book it discusses include mentions of poverty and systemic neglect, substance use and risky behaviors, as well as themes of loss, disillusionment, and exploitation.

What Do Secrets, History, and a Ring of Destiny Have in Common?

Jacques Sardas’s Taking Flight is a collection of stories that delightfully defies convention, inviting readers to immerse themselves in tales that merge the extraordinary with the universal. These are not merely short stories—they are Sardas’s way of documenting the unexpected intersections of humanity and fate. But instead of focusing on overarching themes, let’s dive into an aspect most readers might overlook: Sardas’s masterful use of objects and settings as characters in their own right.

When Objects Speak: The Symbolism of the Ring

One standout story, The Ring, tells of Ruby and Angel, two young outcasts whose bond teeters on the edge of innocence and recklessness. A chance discovery—a glittering ring buried in a pile of rocks—becomes more than a plot device. Historically, rings have symbolized unity, eternity, and power, from Tolkien’s One Ring to the coronation bands of monarchs. Sardas reimagines this trope with a twist: the ring represents illusion. Its glittering facade masks its worthlessness, mirroring Ruby and Angel’s youthful dreams and disillusionment.

Consider this: how often do the things we desire fail to hold the value we imagine? Sardas masterfully captures this universal truth with the simplicity of a bauble.

Spaces That Echo History

The settings in Sardas’s stories carry histories as rich as their characters. Take the rundown shed in The Ring or the bustling streets of Alexandria in The Store in Alexandria. These spaces do not merely frame the action—they breathe life into the narrative. For instance, the shed, a place of solace for Ruby and Angel, contrasts with its eerie isolation, a stark metaphor for their precarious lives.

Interestingly, in urban sociology, spaces like these often serve as sanctuaries for marginalized youth. In 2022, researchers noted that such hideouts fostered resilience among adolescents facing systemic neglect. Sardas weaves this insight seamlessly into his storytelling, making readers question how much their environments shape their own lives.

The Weight of Small Moments

Sardas finds profound meaning in mundane decisions. Consider Ruby’s choice to entrust the ring to Igor. While seemingly insignificant, this decision reveals her reliance on external validation and her lack of agency—a subtle commentary on how societal systems exploit vulnerability.

Does Sardas intentionally challenge readers to scrutinize their own small decisions? Are they as inconsequential as they seem?

A Life Lived Unexpectedly

Sardas himself introduces the collection with an anecdote about writing these stories at the age of 93, inspired by a promise to his granddaughter. This lends the collection a remarkable depth. Sardas’s personal history, as explored in his memoir, parallels the resilience and adaptability seen in his characters. These stories are not just fictional—they are fragments of Sardas’s own reflections, filtered through the lens of a storyteller who has lived through history’s twists and turns.

Closing Reflection: Who Owns the Unexpected?

As Sardas takes readers from Cairo to São Paulo, from the grit of struggle to the shimmer of fleeting hope, he leaves us with a question: how often do we overlook the unexpected treasures—and traps—in our own lives? Taking Flight challenges readers to find meaning in the unlikeliest places and reminds us that, as the poet Rumi said, “Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.” Sardas shows us how.

Spotlyts Story Award

The above story/stories or storyteller(s) won the Spotlyts Story Award.

Throughout the year, standout stories are selected to receive the Spotlyts Story Award. This accolade celebrates storytelling in all its forms, including:

• Written works: fiction, nonfiction, essays, articles, and poetry
• Visual storytelling: photos, photo essays, and videos
• Multimedia content: story websites, blog articles, social media posts, short films, and other digital creations

Winning a Spotlyts Story Award doesn’t just mean recognition today—it also earns a nomination for the annual Story of the Year Award titles.

Request for a review of your book and have it nominated for the award here.

To nominate for a non-book category of the award or to know more about the award, click here.

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