Rating: 
Summary: NICELY WRITTEN, but...
Review: ...something about Schlink's writing leaves me personally cold -- his novel THE READER left me feeling the same way. I recognize his talent and abilities, but I just don't enjoy the paths that his fiction takes. While all of these stories deal with aspects of love, I would suggest that the word 'flights' in the collection's title refers more to the concept of fleeing from love than to the soaring heights to which it can take people.
It seemed to me that every single story in this collection dealt with someone's failure at love, their disappointment in it, their disillusionment with it, or their guilt about the way they had treated someone they loved. In 'The circumcision', a German man is offended when his American fiancée refers to his 'German-ness' and remarks that her friends looked at him in this light as well. One of the characteristics she assigns to him in this regard is his cold obsession with organization. Frankly, I can see a similar trait in Schlink's work -- and please understand that's not to say that he's not a brilliant writer. I guess the worst thing I can say that he's just not my 'cup of tea.'
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful and compelling stories
Review: Bernard Schlink has done it again: created a small masterpiece, with this group of seven short stories. Their strength derives from the rigorous psychological self examination that each of his middle-aged or older male protagonists is forced to undergo. Most of the stories are set totally or partially in modern day Germany, some against the post Holocaust or post reunification backdrop, but all against the universal backdrop of human relationships. I would argue that the common thread is less about love, despite the title, and more about the search for self authenticity. My choice for the best of the seven are "Girl with Lizard" and "The Circumcision", but if you're going to read one, you should read all of it. The stories are unusual, original, and powerful with lots of layers, and worth several re-readings.
Rating:
Summary: Promises met
Review: Bernhard Schlink created a devoted following with the translation of his first novel THE READER. Opinion was divided among critics and readers as to whether or not this author was playing on simplistic heart-string tuggings or whether he really had somthing new to say and an equal talent to say it. Being part of the camp of readers who were caught up in the story of 'The Reader' and waited eagerly to see just where this writer would/could go, I am happy to say that FLIGHTS OF LOVE is substantial proof that Schlink is a very fine storyteller. This book of seven short stories, while a bit uneven, at least shows that the author can relate tales of interest, of introspection, of intrique, and in general can keep his reader flowing with his thoughts to the somewhat open-ended conclusions. "The Other Man" is deftly told and has much more of a universal appeal than the isolated story would indicate. 'Girl with Lizard' is a mesmerizing tale based on a man's relationship to a painting! One of the unifying elements in Schlink's creative mind is examining how internalized perceptions, when maintained in the prison of an individual's mind, can alter the manner in which we live through relationships, ways that could have been more constructive had communication of these altered perceptions occurred. Sounds simple, but the way Schlink uses this tool to alter his characters reaction to not only each other but to everyone and everything in their lives is touching and rings true. If at times his writing seems detached or cold, I wonder how much of that is due to the fact that we are reading translations. Despite any of the negative points mentioned, here is a collection of short stories that merit attention and make us eager for the next full scale novel to come along.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN
Review: Bernhard Schlink's FLIGHTS OF LOVE is a curious, uneven, confounding and sometimes brave assemblage of stories, none of which has anything whatsoever to do with actual "flights" of our most treasured and elusive emotion. DIVES OF LOVE would have been considerably more accurate. But that's not a criticism. Schlink delivers some fine swans and at least one Triple-Lindy. My favorite has to be the opener, GIRL WITH LIZARD. There is a strange redemptive quality here, and, as with all of Schlink's fiction, a definite chill in the air. He is playing to his strength when he maintains a good distance from his characters, revealing slowly all the hidden gross machinery that drives them to do what he has them do. When Schlink fails, he does so just as grandly, God bless his Nordic soul. Best example of that, I think, has to be THE CIRCUMCISION, a miserable, too-long, improbable, atmospheric polemic about cold-blooded posturing, hair-trigger sensibilities, and not much else. When Schlink attempts a much warmer author/character relationship, the results are strained, frozen, and never very good. Stories like GIRL WITH LIZARD, SUGAR PEAS, and THE OTHER MAN really go a long way toward saving FLIGHTS OF LOVE from becoming one of the sloppiest diving teams anyone ever saw.
Rating: 
Summary: Trite
Review: I loved Schlink's "The Reader" and that is why I ordered "Flights of Love." It is hard to believe it was penned by the same author. "The Reader" is a deeply layered book and one, I must confess, I probably do not fully understand being neither German nor Jewish. Yet, there is meaning that goes well beyond the obvious story line; it is angst and the burden of history.
I do not know the time frame that Schlink wrote these short stories but "Flights of Love" is more college level writing than professional. The stories are trite to say the least. There are only a few all to brief glimpses of the Schlink of "The Reader."
Something is always lost in translation of a foreign tongue, a different culture. I thought perhaps the translator was being overly simplistic with his approach - transcribing words and not meaning. Yet, the biography of the translator indicates he is highly respected and experienced. The onus reverts to Schlink. Sorry, I had hoped for more.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: I read "The Reader" and had to get more Schlink. These short stories are incredible. The dialogue and story settings are all extremely well crafted and each story will make you think about what was going on in the characters mind. I can't say enough just read it.
Rating:
Summary: Sadly Disappointing
Review: I thought Bernhard Schlink's novel, THE READER, was one of the best books I'd read in years, so I was really happy when I learned of this volume of short stories.Perhaps the title, FLIGHTS OF LOVE, caused me to expect stories that would be somewhat fanciful; that would be infused with lyricism and poetry (which was exactly what I was looking for at the time). Instead, I found stories that attempted a gritty reality but were, more often than not, quite awkward, both in construction and in language. I certainly can't blame the translation for this because I read these stories in the original German edition, published as LIEBESFLUCHTEN. THE READER was definitely a gritty novel, but it also possessed a grace and dignity I found almost completely lacking in these stories. The two exceptions were the first story, "Girl With Lizard," which, though quite gritty, was also poignant and thoroughly believable and "The Son," which was powerful and subdued. For the most part, Schlink's characters indulge in the most improbable, rash and downright inane actions...all in the name of love. Perhaps these are the "flights" mentioned in the title, although I saw them more as flights of sheer stupidity than of love. Love really doesn't play a very big part in these stories; infatuation and hormonal inbalance does. The book's centerpiece, "Sugar Peas," was woven around a premise so preposterous as to be downright silly. Same with "The Circumcision." That story's main character does something very few grown men in their right mind would do and what's worse, he does it for all the wrong reasons. The closing story, "The Woman at the Gas Station" could have been good if only Schlink had allowed his character to make a different decision. As it is, the main character comes across as a totally selfish, self-indulged and stupid bore, which really isn't a very good way to end a book. I also found the writing in these stories to be a bit awkward and clumsy at times. In "The Circumcision," a young man and woman visit a Hudson river mansion during the wintertime only to find a profusion of roses blooming in the garden. There are also several instances in which one character tells another character something he or she already knows simply for the benefit of the reader. My main thought while reading these stories was: What happened? What happened to the lovely prose and the poignancy of THE READER? I don't know, but I'm not going to let my disappointment with FLIGHTS OF LOVE stop me from reading the next book Schlink publishes. With THE READER, he proved that he can write with the best.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I totally fell in love with this book. I seemed to like each story better than the last.... "Girl With Lizard" would have been my fave though, if I had to pick just one. I definitely plan on recommending this book to friends when they ask me if I have read any good books lately. Don't miss this one! This is one to be read over and over.
Rating: 
Summary: simple, sharp stories
Review: If you like simple books with strong message, this is the book for you. This book brings interesting dilemmas in which you can relate to the main character. Is it possible to love a picture more than a person? How many wifes can a man have (before they catch him)? Not completely without a touch of humour ordinary lifes and extraordinary circumstances makes a good and challenging mixture. Schlink, being a judge and a law professor, is definetily a good reference person for any ethic question. He opens different points of view to the reader which gives you an impression, you are becoming a bit smarter while reading this book! But you also learn that in yourself there is hidden a lazy person which allways chooses the easiest and effortless way to achieve something. Does this makes us cowards and anti-heros? Perhaps... Love fugitives? Definitely!
Rating:
Summary: The Explorer of the Human Soul
Review: It may be a cliche, but Bernhard Schlink is a master storyteller. These stories surprise and fascinate in the same way as *The Reader*. Schlink creates real characters facing difficult moral and personal issues. His prose style is spare and elegant and he takes up large and important themes. This collection is not to be missed.
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