The Baggage Handler, by David Rawlings

Three weary travelers, each having flown to the same city for important life events, get their luggage switched at the airport.  That's the start of David Rawlings's The Baggage Handler, a novel with a message.  Once the travelers realize they have the wrong bags, their trip--and maybe major life opportunities--seem to be dashed.  The young man trying out for a track scholarship doesn't have his spikes.  The business man trying to justify his branch's continued operation doesn't have his presentation.  The mom who is jealous of her sister's perfect life doesn't have the clothes she needs for the big wedding weekend.

As each calls the airline to arrange to recover their luggage, they are directed to an unmarked warehouse in a seemingly deserted area of town.  There they each meet a baggage handler whom they had seen at the airport.  Soon he reveals the real reason for their being there.  He's the baggage handler, here to help them deal with the baggage in their lives.  No, not their luggage, although he helps with that, too, but their baggage, the things that prevent them from being who they were made to be.

The Baggage Handler reads as you might expect from a story that's really not about telling a story, but about teaching a lesson.  It's a valuable lesson that we probably all need to hear.  Perhaps you have baggage holding you back, whether it's comparing yourself to others, trying to live up to your parents' expectations, harboring unforgiveness, or being overly critical of yourself.  Maybe you have some baggage you need to hand over to the baggage handler.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!