A love story written in the stars, grounded in courage, identity, and the ache of being human.
As a lifelong reader, few books have managed to move me quite like Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I wasn’t expecting it to pierce so deeply—but by the final chapter, I found myself in tears, that rare and beautiful sign that a story has cracked open something personal. Atmosphere isn’t just about space travel; it’s about the vastness of love, the loneliness of hiding who you are, and the quiet defiance of claiming your truth in a world that often demands silence.
“Bravery is being unafraid of something other people are afraid of. Courage is being afraid, but strong enough to do it anyway.”
Plot Summary
Set against the backdrop of the 1980s NASA space programme, Atmosphere follows Joan—a fiercely intelligent, deeply passionate astronaut navigating the intense demands of a high-stakes mission, a difficult family history, and a love that dares to speak in whispers. We meet her in the present, strapped into the confines of a spacecraft, and the story unfolds in a dual timeline, weaving flashbacks of her relationships—with Frances, her perceptive niece, and Vanessa, the woman who redefines the universe for her.
Joan’s life is a tangle of expectation, longing, and sacrifice. Her relationship with Vanessa simmers beneath the surface of an already fraught existence, made all the more complicated by the social mores of the time. Meanwhile, Joan’s bond with Frances becomes a poignant mirror of the maternal love she craves and the care she instinctively gives.
“Just the act of falling in love was to agree to a broken heart.”
Themes
At its heart, Atmosphere explores how bravery looks different for each of us—sometimes it’s in stepping onto a spacecraft, sometimes in admitting a love you’ve long hidden, sometimes simply in choosing to stay. Reid deftly captures the politics of queerness, the psychology of repression, and the aching vulnerability of being human in a universe that offers no guarantees. The story hums with reflections on meaning-making, legacy, and whether we’re ever truly seen—not just by others, but by ourselves.
“To look up at the nighttime sky is to become a part of a long line of people throughout human history who looked above at that same set of stars. It is to witness time unfolding.”
What Worked
The structure—intertwining a tense present-day space mission with rich, emotionally-charged flashbacks—keeps the narrative propulsive without losing intimacy. Reid’s research into NASA and the period is evident, yet never heavy-handed; it roots the story without overpowering it. Joan, in particular, is beautifully drawn—flawed, brilliant, achingly naive in some moments and searingly wise in others. Frances and Vanessa provide vital emotional balance, and even minor characters like Lydia leave a lasting impression.
The ending deserves its own ovation. Tightly written and emotionally pitch-perfect, it recontextualises the entire journey and lingers long after the final page.
“I can wake up every single day and choose you, over and over and over again. If you’re in bed next to me, I will take your hand. If you are not, I will go find you. I will spend the rest of my life, if I get that lucky, seeking you out. Not because I promised you or because you’re there. But because I will want to. I will want to be beside you. Every day. Forever.”
Who Might Enjoy This
Readers who appreciate character-driven fiction layered with emotional nuance and historical detail will find much to love here. If you adored Daisy Jones & The Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for their explorations of identity, longing, and complex women, Atmosphere will feel both familiar and fresh. This is particularly impactful for individuals intrigued by queer narratives, space exploration, and the nuanced intersections of politics and psychology.
“Happiness is so hard to come by. I don’t understand why anyone would begrudge anyone else for managing to find some of it.”
Conclusion
Atmosphere is easily one of the most powerful novels I’ve read in years. It left me breathless—not just from the plot tension, but from the emotional clarity it offered. Reid reminds us that to love bravely, to live authentically, is its own kind of cosmic act. A stellar achievement in every sense.
“Do you know why I kept saying the best song was ‘Space Oddity’?” Vanessa asks. “Because of your favorite part.” “When he says, ‘Tell my wife I love her very much…”
Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book.
In conversation with Taylor Jenkins Reid Penguin Random House South Africa
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