A joyfully unhinged story of money, marriage, sex, and revenge unspools when a billionaire crashes his hot-air balloon into the middle of a post-pandemic first date.
If the multiple coincidences of this opening set up expectations for an antic, high-energy comic novel, readers will be surprised to find that what follows is mostly interior and meandering. The inverted structure is thrilling in concept ...but it can feel slack in execution, reading at times like protracted denouement ... The stakes of Hot Air feel low ... Has plenty of quirky style and humor ... But the book’s revelations hew closely to what is already well known ... All a little deflated.
Slim and potent ... Known for her direct style and evocative storytelling, she’s exceptional as a sharp satirist. This arch, edgy comedy is no exception. Be prepared for a sleek but ultimately corrosive rush ... A romp that fixes you in place with outrageous humor that matches the characters’ unbelievable behavior.
Dermansky’s slim volume packs a punch. It’s full of gimlet-eyed observations about privilege, desire, and satisfaction (or lack thereof). Call this tale daring and wise.
