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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I was interested in this novel as a work of historical fiction about people I knew next to nothing about: Charles Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow. Sadly the narrator's voice was old and gravely sounding which did not properly convey her early, younger years with Charles--it was incongruous and grating.
Meanwhile, both Anne and Charles were too much products of their times in history, at least in the 4 sections I listened to. While courting her, Charles wanted to be sure she had ambition before he married her and asked her what she really wanted to do in life and she said she wanted to write one really good book. I thought, "hey, he cares about you and your dreams, that's fabulous!" Alas, as soon as the morning after their wedding his true colors began to show and those colors were "me, me, and me." Instead of encouraging her to follow her literary dreams, he demanded breakfast and taught her to fly. She acquiesced in both cases, and also lived without more than a few moments of tenderness, affection, or let's face it, love, because he just wasn't that kind of man. He was a selfish prick in my opinion, and not one that I cared to experience ruining the rest of her life.
Meanwhile, both Anne and Charles were too much products of their times in history, at least in the 4 sections I listened to. While courting her, Charles wanted to be sure she had ambition before he married her and asked her what she really wanted to do in life and she said she wanted to write one really good book. I thought, "hey, he cares about you and your dreams, that's fabulous!" Alas, as soon as the morning after their wedding his true colors began to show and those colors were "me, me, and me." Instead of encouraging her to follow her literary dreams, he demanded breakfast and taught her to fly. She acquiesced in both cases, and also lived without more than a few moments of tenderness, affection, or let's face it, love, because he just wasn't that kind of man. He was a selfish prick in my opinion, and not one that I cared to experience ruining the rest of her life.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What. A. Story. š
It is true that
"Only the weak need...heroes...and heroes need...those around them to remain weak."
but
"I pray that at last, Charles has found what he has been looking for, all his life." ā¤ļøāš©¹
It is true that
"Only the weak need...heroes...and heroes need...those around them to remain weak."
but
"I pray that at last, Charles has found what he has been looking for, all his life." ā¤ļøāš©¹
3.5 stars āļøāļøāļø I struggled with this one; not because it was poorly written, but be cause I hated the characters so much. The author did an amazing job of taking any illusion of Charles Lindbergh being a good person, and absolutely crushed it. This is historical fiction but accurate enough to understand that Charles Lindbergh was an emotionally distant, cheating, nazi supporting, absent father who was really hard to take. His wife allowed herself to be told what do do and how to feel, her entire life. This story was so interesting, but man It sure angered me throughout.
An excellent book about the 'real' hero and the woman who lived with him --wife, co-pilot, supporter. What he was really about and how she coped and evolved. I was truly surprised at the facts I read. I could not stop until the end.
A fascinating read!! I had no idea about the many accomplishments of Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
Looks like I'll be spending some more reading time delving into the lives of Anne and Charles Lindberg thanks to this book. Great look at the "behind the scenes" life of Anne Morrow Lindberg in a fictional way. Well written and hard to put down!
"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 Charlesās 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 achievementsāshe becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United StatesāAnne is viewed merely as the aviatorās 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, lifeās infinite possibilities for change and happiness."
"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 Charlesās 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 achievementsāshe becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United StatesāAnne is viewed merely as the aviatorās 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, lifeās infinite possibilities for change and happiness."
I really hope the real Charles Lindbergh wasn't quite like this. I wanted to punch him in the face numerous times. I felt very bad for Anne at times, wondering why she stayed with him, but I believe they really did love each other, for at least part of their marriage. It was interesting to see how Anne grew and changed, and how accomplished she was.
I learned so much about the fascinating lives of Charles and Anne, their paparazzi-plagued lives, their adventures, passions and weaknesses. Charles was a hero to millions after his flight from NY to Paris and I had read his account (Spirit of St Louis) so didn't want to pass up a chance to learn more about him. But now that I have, his wings are tarnished more than a bit. Of course, Anne is portrayed sympathetically but she also has her share of weaknesses.
This was a good book for our book club- it generated some interesting conversation and historical research.
This was a good book for our book club- it generated some interesting conversation and historical research.
pretty good. lots of things I didn't know about this family
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes