“The world was a dangerous place, and sometimes the only way to survive was to be even more dangerous.”
— Conor's realization after being imprisoned and witnessing the harsh realities of the world.
Archivist's Choice
Airman
Eoin Colfer (2007)
Genre
Fantasy / Historical Fiction / Science Fiction / Young Adult
Reading Time
520 min
Key Themes
See below
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Framed for treason and left to rot in an island prison, a young inventor in the 1890s must literally build his dreams of flight into a desperate escape to clear his name and save his kingdom.
Synopsis
In the 1890s, young Conor Broekhart lives an idyllic life on the sovereign Saltee Islands, off the Irish coast. He studies the science of flight with his tutor and befriends Princess Isabella. His world shatters when he uncovers a conspiracy against King Nicholas and tries to warn him. Instead, Marshal Bonvilain frames him as a traitor and imprisons him on the brutal Little Saltee. Forced into inhumane diamond mines, Conor endures years of suffering, meticulously planning his escape by designing flying machines on his cell walls. After a daring aerial escape, Conor assumes a new identity as "Sigmund" and travels the world, refining his flying skills and intellect. He eventually returns to the Saltees, reuniting with Isabella and working to expose Bonvilain's treachery. In a thrilling final confrontation, Conor uses his flying prowess to defeat Bonvilain and his forces, restoring justice to the islands and reclaiming his rightful place.
Reading time
520 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Variable
Mood
Adventurous, Ingenious, Resilient, Suspenseful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy thrilling adventure stories with a historical setting, ingenious inventions, and a determined protagonist overcoming impossible odds.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fantasy without any historical or steampunk elements, or dislike stories with significant periods of hardship and imprisonment.
Plot Summary
An Idyllic Life on the Saltee Islands
Conor Broekhart is born in a hot air balloon above the Saltee Islands, a sovereign nation off the coast of Ireland. His parents, Declan and Catherine, work for King Nicholas and Queen Victoria. Conor grows up on the Grand Saltee, where his father is the captain of the guard. The eccentric French inventor, Victor Vigny, tutors him in the science of flight and engineering. Conor spends his days exploring the castle and forming a close bond with Princess Isabella, the King's spirited daughter. His life is one of privilege and intellectual curiosity, influenced by Vigny's passion for aviation and his own interest in flight mechanics, especially ornithopters and gliders.
A Deadly Conspiracy Uncovered
While exploring the castle's secret passages, Conor overhears a meeting between Ferdinand Mountjoy, the King's ambitious advisor, and Bonvilain, a ruthless former French legionnaire and master swordsman. They are planning to assassinate King Nicholas and take control of the Saltee Islands. Conor tries to warn his father, Declan, but Declan dismisses it as an overactive imagination. Later, Conor sees Mountjoy and Bonvilain confront King Nicholas in a hidden room. He sees Bonvilain murder the King and frame Declan Broekhart for the crime. In the chaos, Bonvilain's men discover Conor, brand him a traitor, and capture him.
Imprisonment on Little Saltee
After witnessing the King's murder, Conor is taken before a rigged court. Mountjoy, now regent, condemns him as an accomplice to his father's supposed treason. Conor is sentenced to life imprisonment on Little Saltee, a desolate, volcanic island used as a brutal diamond mine. The conditions are horrific: prisoners are forced into dangerous labor, given meager rations, and subjected to cruel guards, especially the sadistic Officer Murgatroyd. Conor, now just a boy, must learn to survive in this harsh environment, relying on his wits and the camaraderie of a few fellow inmates, like the old miner, Linus.
The Seeds of Escape
Despite the despair of his imprisonment, Conor holds onto his dream of flight. He remembers Victor Vigny's lessons and the intricate designs he used to draw. Using charcoal from the mines and the walls of his cell, Conor secretly sketches plans for an ornithopter, a flying machine that mimics bird flight. He calculates lift, drag, and wing structure, adapting his designs to the limited materials he might one day acquire. This intellectual pursuit becomes his only source of hope and purpose, allowing him to endure the physical and psychological torment of Little Saltee, even as years pass and he grows into a young man.
Years of Toil and Ingenuity
Over seven years, Conor endures the brutal conditions of Little Saltee. He gains strength and resilience, learning to fight and survive. All the while, he secretly scavenges materials from the mine and the guards' discarded items: feathers from seabirds, scraps of metal, and even silk from parachutes used for dropping supplies. He befriends some of the more sympathetic prisoners, like Linus, who help him in small ways. Conor refines his ornithopter designs, practicing his calculations and understanding of aerodynamics, all while hiding his true intentions from the watchful and cruel guards.
The Escape Attempt
With his ornithopter finally built in secret, Conor chooses a stormy night for his escape. He launches himself from the cliffs of Little Saltee, using the power of his carefully engineered wings. The flight is dangerous, battling strong winds and the primitive mechanics of his machine. Bonvilain, who had been secretly visiting Little Saltee to ensure Conor remained imprisoned, realizes the escape attempt and gives chase in a primitive motorized boat. Conor, despite the challenges, evades Bonvilain and makes it to the mainland, battered but free, leaving the horrors of the prison island behind him.
A New Identity and Training
After his escape, Conor, now calling himself 'Conor Broekhart, the Airman,' travels to France, seeking out his old tutor, Victor Vigny. Vigny, now living a secluded life, is skeptical at first but recognizes Conor's determination and the genius of his escape. Under Vigny's guidance, Conor undergoes rigorous physical and mental training. He hones his combat skills, improves his engineering knowledge, and develops an array of sophisticated flying machines and gadgets. He also learns espionage and disguise, transforming himself into a formidable force, ready to reclaim his life and avenge his family.
Return to the Saltees and Reunion
Years later, Conor, now a master of disguise and flight, returns to the Saltee Islands. He contacts Princess Isabella, who has matured into a strong-willed woman still grieving her father and believing Conor to be a traitor. He reveals his true identity and the truth about King Nicholas's murder and Declan's innocence. Isabella, shocked at first, eventually believes him, remembering the injustices of the past. Together, they begin to gather evidence against Mountjoy, who has consolidated his power as regent, ruling the islands with an iron fist, unaware of the 'Airman' operating nearby.
Unmasking the Conspirators
Conor, using his flying machines and stealth, infiltrates Mountjoy's inner circle and gathers evidence. He discovers that Mountjoy has been secretly enriching himself through the diamond mines of Little Saltee and has been planning to fully annex the Saltee Islands to a larger power. Isabella, using her position within the castle, helps gather intelligence and rallies loyalists. They uncover documents and witnesses that link Mountjoy and Bonvilain to the King's assassination and Declan's false imprisonment. Their efforts are dangerous, as they constantly evade Bonvilain, who is now Mountjoy's brutal enforcer.
The Final Confrontation
The climax happens during a public ceremony where Mountjoy plans to make a grand announcement, likely solidifying his power. Conor, as the Airman, makes a dramatic entrance, using his most advanced flying machine to disrupt the event. He presents the evidence of Mountjoy's treason and Bonvilain's crimes to the assembled populace and loyal guards. A fierce battle follows, with Conor engaging Bonvilain in a deadly sword fight. Mountjoy tries to escape, but his treachery is fully exposed. Conor, with Isabella's support, defeats Bonvilain and ensures Mountjoy's capture.
Justice and Restoration
Following the dramatic confrontation, Mountjoy and Bonvilain are arrested and brought to justice. Conor is cleared, his name restored, and his father, Declan, is released from imprisonment. Princess Isabella, now the rightful heir, begins to restore order to the Saltee Islands, ruling with wisdom and integrity. Conor, no longer an imprisoned boy but a celebrated hero, finds his place as a protector and innovator, using his skills in flight to serve his homeland. The Saltee Islands enter a new era of peace and progress, with Conor Broekhart, the Airman, as a symbol of hope and justice.
Principal Figures
Conor Broekhart
The Protagonist
Conor transforms from an innocent, privileged boy into a hardened, skilled engineer and fighter, ultimately becoming a symbol of justice and hope.
Princess Isabella
The Supporting
Isabella matures from a sheltered princess to a discerning leader, becoming a vital force in restoring justice to her kingdom.
Victor Vigny
The Supporting
Vigny guides Conor from an aspiring inventor to a capable hero, fulfilling his own legacy through his student.
Ferdinand Mountjoy
The Antagonist
Mountjoy's rise to power through deceit and murder ultimately leads to his downfall when confronted by the truth.
Bonvilain
The Antagonist
Bonvilain acts as a relentless, unyielding antagonist, ultimately meeting his end in a final confrontation.
King Nicholas
The Supporting
King Nicholas's death serves as the catalyst for the entire narrative, inspiring the fight for justice.
Declan Broekhart
The Supporting
Declan suffers unjust imprisonment but is ultimately vindicated and reunited with his son.
Linus
The Supporting
Linus provides a beacon of hope and practical assistance to Conor during his imprisonment, embodying resilience.
Officer Murgatroyd
The Mentioned
Murgatroyd represents the relentless brutality of the prison system Conor must escape.
Themes & Insights
Justice and Vengeance
The main theme is Conor's pursuit of justice for his family and the murdered King Nicholas. Falsely accused and imprisoned, Conor's journey is driven by his desire to expose the truth and hold Mountjoy and Bonvilain accountable. This theme is clear from the moment Conor witnesses the King's murder and grows stronger during his brutal imprisonment, turning his initial desire for freedom into a mission to correct the wrongs done to him and his loved ones. This ultimately leads to the restoration of legitimate rule on the Saltee Islands.
“Seven years, he thought. Seven years of my life, and seven years of my father's. A debt that would be paid in full.”
Ingenuity and Perseverance
Conor's character shows the power of human ingenuity and perseverance. Despite horrific conditions and years of imprisonment on Little Saltee, he never gives up on his dream of flight. He meticulously plans his escape, using his scientific knowledge and scavenging for materials to build his ornithopter. This theme continues as he trains with Vigny, constantly refining his skills and developing new inventions. His ability to adapt, learn, and innovate against overwhelming odds is central to his survival and eventual triumph. It shows how the human spirit can overcome adversity through intelligence and determination.
“He would not let the island break him. He would fly.”
Freedom vs. Imprisonment
The strong contrast between freedom and imprisonment drives the story. Conor's childhood on the Grand Saltee, where he was free to explore and learn about flight, ends with his unjust imprisonment on the brutal prison island of Little Saltee. His escape from the diamond mines, both literally and figuratively, becomes a strong symbol of reclaiming his liberty. The story constantly shows the oppressive nature of Mountjoy's rule and the physical and psychological chains placed on Conor and others, making the eventual triumph of freedom and justice more moving.
“The wind was his only companion, and the sky his only hope.”
Identity and Transformation
Conor changes greatly throughout the book. He starts as a privileged boy, becomes a traumatized prisoner, and then creates a new identity as the 'Airman.' His time on Little Saltee strips away his old life, forcing him to define himself by his resilience and skills, not his birthright. Creating the 'Airman' persona is a deliberate act of self-reinvention, allowing him to operate secretly and embody the hope for justice. This theme explores how hardship can shape a person, leading to a stronger, more defined sense of self and purpose.
“Conor Broekhart was dead. Long live the Airman.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Ornithopter
Conor's primary flying machine, symbolizing ingenuity and hope.
The ornithopter is Conor's meticulously designed and constructed flying machine, inspired by his tutor Vigny's lessons. It functions as both a literal means of escape from Little Saltee and a powerful symbol of Conor's ingenuity, perseverance, and unwavering hope. Its construction in secret, using scavenged materials, highlights his resourcefulness under duress. Later, more advanced versions of the ornithopter and other flying devices become central to his identity as the 'Airman' and his ability to carry out his mission, representing the triumph of scientific innovation over oppression.
Secret Passages and Hidden Rooms
Architectural elements used for espionage, discovery, and concealment.
The castle on Grand Saltee is riddled with secret passages and hidden rooms, which Conor, as a child, uses for exploration. These architectural features are crucial to the plot, as Conor accidentally discovers the conspiracy against King Nicholas by overhearing a conversation in one such passage. Later, these hidden routes facilitate his covert operations as the Airman, allowing him to infiltrate the castle and gather intelligence without detection. They symbolize the hidden truths and the clandestine nature of both the antagonists' plot and Conor's counter-operations.
The Saltee Islands (Grand and Little)
Dual settings representing freedom and oppression, home and prison.
The Saltee Islands serve as a powerful dual setting. Grand Saltee represents Conor's idyllic home, a sovereign nation of peace and learning, symbolizing freedom and innocence. In stark contrast, Little Saltee is a volcanic, brutal prison island and diamond mine, symbolizing oppression, injustice, and the loss of freedom. The physical and psychological journey between these two islands defines Conor's transformation. The islands themselves are almost characters, reflecting the political state of their leadership – benevolent under the King, tyrannical under Mountjoy, and finally, restored to balance by Isabella and Conor.
The 'Airman' Persona
Conor's adopted identity, embodying his transformation and mission.
The 'Airman' is the new identity Conor adopts after his escape from Little Saltee and his training with Vigny. This persona allows him to operate covertly, striking fear into his enemies and offering hope to the oppressed. It represents his complete transformation from a naive boy to a skilled, determined agent of justice. The mystery surrounding the Airman's identity and his dramatic appearances using his flying machines add an element of heroic myth to the narrative, distinguishing him from his past self and giving him the power to challenge Mountjoy's entrenched authority.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Freedom wasn't a gift; it was something you had to fight for, tooth and nail.”
— Conor's growing understanding of what true freedom entails while on the island.
“A bird doesn't choose its cage, but it can choose whether to sing or beat its wings against the bars.”
— A metaphor for Conor's situation, reflecting his internal struggle and decision to resist.
“Knowledge was power, but only if you knew how to use it.”
— Conor learning new skills and applying his intellect to his predicament.
“Revenge was a cold dish, but sometimes it was the only thing that kept a man warm.”
— Conor's motivation to escape and seek justice against those who wronged him.
“The sky wasn't a limit; it was an invitation.”
— Conor's ambition and fascination with flight, seeing the sky as a path to escape.
“Even in the darkest of places, a spark of hope could ignite a fire.”
— Conor maintaining his spirit and finding reasons to continue fighting despite his dire circumstances.
“A true gentleman never gives up, even when all seems lost.”
— Conor's internal moral compass guiding him through difficult times.
“The greatest prison was often the one you built for yourself inside your own mind.”
— Conor overcoming his own doubts and fears to pursue his escape.
“Sometimes, the only way to find your true self was to lose everything else.”
— Conor's transformation from a privileged boy to a resourceful airman.
“Every invention began with a dream, and every dream began with a single thought.”
— Conor's journey in designing and building his flying machine.
“The past was a shadow, but the future was a sky full of possibilities.”
— Conor looking forward to a new life after escaping his past.
“It wasn't enough to survive; one had to live.”
— Conor's desire for a meaningful existence beyond mere survival on the island.
“Gravity was a suggestion, not a law, for those who truly believed.”
— Conor's defiance of conventional limits through his pursuit of flight.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
"Airman" follows the story of Conor Broekhart, a young boy living on the sovereign Saltee Islands in the 1890s. After discovering a conspiracy against the king, he is framed as a traitor, imprisoned on the brutal Little Saltee, and forced to mine for diamonds. His journey becomes one of survival, revenge, and ultimately, escape through his ingenuity in flight.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
