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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I'm somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of authors writing from the point of view of actual people from history, especially when the author extrapolates far beyond available evidence. I had the same issue with "Annexed," which interpreted the events of Anne Frank's time in the Secret Annexe through the eyes of fellow resident Peter. All the same, Anne Morrow Lindbergh is a fascinating woman with a compelling life history. I had read and admired "Gift from the Sea," but was unaware that Anne was an accomplished aviator in her own right.
Isn't it spectacular? A few Wednesdays ago I had made a "Waiting on Wednesday" post about Melanie Benjamin's The Aviator's Wife, and now I'm blogging about reading it! I was able to read this novel thanks to the people at NetGalley, which has become one of my favorite sites.
Here's the blurb on the book, which came out on January 15th:
For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.
Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements—she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States—Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness.
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction that centers on real-life characters - specifically living in the early-to-mid-twentieth century. My affinity for old Hollywood glamour has me clambering for anything that breathes "celebrity," and in his time, Charles Lindbergh was the celebrity.
But the heart of this novel really is Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Charles Lindbergh's devoted wife and co-pilot. Through most of her life she is dismissed, seen as "just a wife" (and later, a grieving mother). However, Melanie Benjamin brings Anne to the spotlight and makes her a protagonist worth rooting for.
It took me a while to ease into Anne's narration. Her words seemed too formal, like she may be hiding her true feelings. As the novel progressed, however, I realized that this is Anne's character: she appears one way in public, out of duty to her family and husband, while alone with her private thoughts she is freer.
As Anne Morrow becomes Mrs. Lindbergh, I became swept up in her new lifestyle. She undergoes a culture shock of sorts, becoming a pilot's wife, but she adapts beautifully. She is frightened, but she is strong. She prevails in learning to pilot a plane, to navigate the stars (recognizing Polaris by its appearance, similar to her husband's eyes).
The author paints a handsome portrait of Charles, and I certainly fell in love with him in the same way Anne does. However, we become privy to the man behind the celebrity, as well; it is heartbreaking to acknowledge Anne's true desire to be loved and appreciated by her husband - a desire he rarely recognizes.
Some of the most beautiful imagery in the book comes in the flying scenes. Anne's initial flight with Charles is such a thrill to read.
In reading this book, aside from being entertained, I was also engaged in learning about historical figures. I knew some basic information about the Lindberghs, but not enough to fill a book. I really loved the portion dedicated to the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping; as Benjamin noted in an afterword, she tried to stick to the timeline as closely as possible. I was inspired to do research as a result of reading The Aviator's Wife, and that's a really great thing.
If you're looking for a book with a strong female character, or you're a historical fiction fan, I highly recommend The Aviator's Wife.
Here's the blurb on the book, which came out on January 15th:
For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.
Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements—she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States—Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness.
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction that centers on real-life characters - specifically living in the early-to-mid-twentieth century. My affinity for old Hollywood glamour has me clambering for anything that breathes "celebrity," and in his time, Charles Lindbergh was the celebrity.
But the heart of this novel really is Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Charles Lindbergh's devoted wife and co-pilot. Through most of her life she is dismissed, seen as "just a wife" (and later, a grieving mother). However, Melanie Benjamin brings Anne to the spotlight and makes her a protagonist worth rooting for.
It took me a while to ease into Anne's narration. Her words seemed too formal, like she may be hiding her true feelings. As the novel progressed, however, I realized that this is Anne's character: she appears one way in public, out of duty to her family and husband, while alone with her private thoughts she is freer.
As Anne Morrow becomes Mrs. Lindbergh, I became swept up in her new lifestyle. She undergoes a culture shock of sorts, becoming a pilot's wife, but she adapts beautifully. She is frightened, but she is strong. She prevails in learning to pilot a plane, to navigate the stars (recognizing Polaris by its appearance, similar to her husband's eyes).
The author paints a handsome portrait of Charles, and I certainly fell in love with him in the same way Anne does. However, we become privy to the man behind the celebrity, as well; it is heartbreaking to acknowledge Anne's true desire to be loved and appreciated by her husband - a desire he rarely recognizes.
Some of the most beautiful imagery in the book comes in the flying scenes. Anne's initial flight with Charles is such a thrill to read.
In reading this book, aside from being entertained, I was also engaged in learning about historical figures. I knew some basic information about the Lindberghs, but not enough to fill a book. I really loved the portion dedicated to the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping; as Benjamin noted in an afterword, she tried to stick to the timeline as closely as possible. I was inspired to do research as a result of reading The Aviator's Wife, and that's a really great thing.
If you're looking for a book with a strong female character, or you're a historical fiction fan, I highly recommend The Aviator's Wife.
Maybe not the best one to read as an audiobook. Great story though.
Loved this book. Gave it a 4/5 (high for me) because only time will tell whether it becomes a 5/5.
From the cover and the title, I thought it might have been boring with lots of technical flying details, but there was so much more to her life than that. At times I was frustrated by Anne's compliant nature, but, I kept reminding myself, things were so much different for women back then. In the end, she emerged as very much her own woman - a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a kick-ass story tempered with a healthy dose of realism. I am looking forward to reading Anne Lindbergh's Gifts from the Sea.
From the cover and the title, I thought it might have been boring with lots of technical flying details, but there was so much more to her life than that. At times I was frustrated by Anne's compliant nature, but, I kept reminding myself, things were so much different for women back then. In the end, she emerged as very much her own woman - a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a kick-ass story tempered with a healthy dose of realism. I am looking forward to reading Anne Lindbergh's Gifts from the Sea.
I don't know why I've started, stopped, and restarted this book several times - I feel engaged and then something clicks and I can't finish it.
a talented writer takes on the Lindbergh story. i knew nothing but basic facts about Charles Lindbergh and i've read "gifts from the sea" by his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh so i went into the story with some interest. wow. i couldn't dislike two people (characters?) more. If they lived as they were portrayed in this historical novel they were some MISERABLE people. yes, i know their first child was kidnapped and murdered so, YES, there's misery but well before that event...? Lucky Lindy was cold, analytical, controlling, pushy, a bully...and her? she COULD have been something since she came from "good stock." but she allowed him to walk all over her and their kids. i just found the whole sory depressing.
Charles Lindbergh is a fascinating and fairly appalling character. Seeing his life through his wife's eyes was entertaining.
I could barely get through this book (so tedious) until the last 50 pages or so and then I felt like it really picked up. Some of the writing was terrible.
I loved this book! I love history and I thought the author did a great job of writing a historical novel in a way that wasn't boring. It held my interest and I loved reading about this fascinating woman!
I'm learning that historical fiction is not my favorite genre...