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frooml's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD performed by Katherine McEwan
In September 1936 Beryl Markham became the first woman to fly solo East-to-West from Europe to North America. Paula McLain’s novel gives the reader the background of Markham’s childhood and young adulthood that led to that historic accomplishment.
I read and enjoyed McLain’s previous novel, [b:The Paris Wife|8683812|The Paris Wife|Paula McLain|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320545874s/8683812.jpg|13556031], about Hadley and Ernest Hemingway during their Paris years. McLain does extensive research into her subject and had a wealth of information on which to base this work of historical fiction. I appreciate how she paints the landscape of this part of Africa – the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feel of the place and the people in the early part of the 20th century.
Still, I struggle with giving the work a higher rating because I so disliked Beryl Markham. I’ve read other books where the main character is not likeable, but where the writing elevated the work and I still liked and appreciated the novel (e.g. [b:Olive Kitteridge|5552635|Olive Kitteridge|Elizabeth Strout|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444504733s/5552635.jpg|3263906] or [b:Lolita|3486989|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1213913565s/3486989.jpg|1268631]). That wasn’t the case here. Yes, I know she was damaged by her mother’s abandonment, and her father’s minimal attention. I understand how she basically raised herself, and was unable and/or unwilling to conform to society’s expectations. I recognize her intelligence, determination and tenacity. But the Beryl Markham in this book never seemed to learn anything from her mistakes. She careens from one bad situation to another, making many of the same mistakes again and again. She feels lonely and unloved, yet
While the prologue and epilogue are about her historic flight across the Atlantic, McLain chose to focus the novel on Beryl’s childhood and young adulthood. The result is that the character is just becoming the woman we know about when the story ends. And I’m left feeling disappointed in both Beryl and the book.
Katherine McEwan does a fine job narrating the audio version. She has good pacing and is able to give the characters sufficiently unique voices that I had no trouble following the story.
In September 1936 Beryl Markham became the first woman to fly solo East-to-West from Europe to North America. Paula McLain’s novel gives the reader the background of Markham’s childhood and young adulthood that led to that historic accomplishment.
I read and enjoyed McLain’s previous novel, [b:The Paris Wife|8683812|The Paris Wife|Paula McLain|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320545874s/8683812.jpg|13556031], about Hadley and Ernest Hemingway during their Paris years. McLain does extensive research into her subject and had a wealth of information on which to base this work of historical fiction. I appreciate how she paints the landscape of this part of Africa – the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feel of the place and the people in the early part of the 20th century.
Still, I struggle with giving the work a higher rating because I so disliked Beryl Markham. I’ve read other books where the main character is not likeable, but where the writing elevated the work and I still liked and appreciated the novel (e.g. [b:Olive Kitteridge|5552635|Olive Kitteridge|Elizabeth Strout|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444504733s/5552635.jpg|3263906] or [b:Lolita|3486989|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1213913565s/3486989.jpg|1268631]). That wasn’t the case here. Yes, I know she was damaged by her mother’s abandonment, and her father’s minimal attention. I understand how she basically raised herself, and was unable and/or unwilling to conform to society’s expectations. I recognize her intelligence, determination and tenacity. But the Beryl Markham in this book never seemed to learn anything from her mistakes. She careens from one bad situation to another, making many of the same mistakes again and again. She feels lonely and unloved, yet
Spoiler
betrays the only friend she has, Karen Blixen, by having an affair with Karen’s great love Denys Finch Hatton.While the prologue and epilogue are about her historic flight across the Atlantic, McLain chose to focus the novel on Beryl’s childhood and young adulthood. The result is that the character is just becoming the woman we know about when the story ends. And I’m left feeling disappointed in both Beryl and the book.
Katherine McEwan does a fine job narrating the audio version. She has good pacing and is able to give the characters sufficiently unique voices that I had no trouble following the story.
leahfinan's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I did not like the pacing of this book. The stories of her various affairs went on and on but the actually interesting parts felt rushed.
knod78's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a really good book to have as a subset timeline during the Out Of Africa timeline. I loved seeing these characters intersect. I loved being with her through her ups and downs and just wanting to scream to her, "DON'T." I loved her relationship with Ruta/Kibii and how he was there by her side in the end. I wondered would she finally find true love again.
My only issue with the book was that she dropped a few things like the dog and the horse she was desperately trying to tame at the end. I felt like the author just kind of said I'm done writing about these things and will just let them go for you to wonder what happened to these characters or plotlines. It happened a few times, which is why this book gets a 4. I also sometimes felt like the storylines between the two books were maybe too much alike when it comes to Denys Hutton's character. You find out at the end that Beryl is a real life character and maybe this is how it was, but the book is historical fiction. It's only a small gripe and I'm not sure I'm making sense with what I'm saying.
Sometimes when I read these books, I see myself in these strong female characters, head strong learning everything. But then I have to wonder would I ever be that brave to pursue it when society tells you that you can't, because you are a woman. As a woman of the current times, I can say yes easily, but I came after the time period when women could work and play sports and get divorces. So, you don't know if you will give in to societal pressure like Beryl did a few times.
Anyways. I loved this book. I would read it again.
My only issue with the book was that she dropped a few things like the dog and the horse she was desperately trying to tame at the end. I felt like the author just kind of said I'm done writing about these things and will just let them go for you to wonder what happened to these characters or plotlines. It happened a few times, which is why this book gets a 4. I also sometimes felt like the storylines between the two books were maybe too much alike when it comes to Denys Hutton's character. You find out at the end that Beryl is a real life character and maybe this is how it was, but the book is historical fiction. It's only a small gripe and I'm not sure I'm making sense with what I'm saying.
Sometimes when I read these books, I see myself in these strong female characters, head strong learning everything. But then I have to wonder would I ever be that brave to pursue it when society tells you that you can't, because you are a woman. As a woman of the current times, I can say yes easily, but I came after the time period when women could work and play sports and get divorces. So, you don't know if you will give in to societal pressure like Beryl did a few times.
Anyways. I loved this book. I would read it again.
sbonnecarrere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, I'm binge reading everything in sight this week. This is not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed it.
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
5.0
My most trust-worthy book recommender told me to "Drop everything and go get this book!", so I did. It's wonderful. Absolutely gorgeous writing and an engaging story about a brave, adventurous, resilient, real woman.
Helps if you have seen the movie "Out of Africa," just so you have a visual reference for the places and some familiarity with other key characters.
Helps if you have seen the movie "Out of Africa," just so you have a visual reference for the places and some familiarity with other key characters.
raychul2992's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
Terrific reading. You'll be shopping for "West With The Night," watching "Out of Africa" and rereading Isak Dineson.Better than "The Paris Wife".
nancy33's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to the first two discs but wasn't finding it very interesting, so I moved on to other books that I was looking forward to reading.