Scan barcode
robinsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Long before Amelia Earhart, Anne Lindbergh, and Beryl Markham burst upon the aviation scene, three other women were vying to be the first to fly across the Atlantic, and I was transfixed by this novel about their personal lives and exploits. This well-written and well researched story is a must for anyone who loves historical fiction, especially for readers of Paula McLain's CIRCLING THE SUN, the novel about Beryl Markham. Also recommended for readers of Melanie Benjamin's THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, and for the same kind of compelling historical fiction and appealing characters, Sara Gruen's WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.
Thanks to Edelweiss and S&S/Gallery books for an advance digital review copy.
Thanks to Edelweiss and S&S/Gallery books for an advance digital review copy.
jessbruso's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. It was really interesting to learn about some of the other early women in aviation besides Amelia Earhart, although she was mentioned in the book as well. I thought the book was pretty well written and it easily held my interest right to the end as I waited to find out what had happened to each of the women in the story.
laboulaing's review against another edition
5.0
Crossing the Horizon by Laurie Notaro is a new release I've been hearing about for a long time, and I was overjoyed to get my hands on it. Crossing the Horizon made me laugh and cry, and it taught me dozens and dozens of things I never knew. I would highly recommend this new release for anyone interested in an excellent story, 1920s history, and the little-told story of the aviatrixes who competed with Amelia Earhart for the title of first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
Crossing the Horizon has three main characters: the Honorable Elsie Mackay, the self-styled "Queen of Diamonds" Mabel Boll, and the beauty pageant star turned aviatrix Ruth Elder. All three of these women fought bitterly for the honor of becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic; as history knows, none of them were completely successful. But that doesn't mean their stories should be lost to history. This incredible novel combines their stories in novel form, delivering an exhilarating portrait of their lives, loves, histories, and courageous endeavors to cross the stormy Atlantic in their tiny planes.The action truly begins in 1927, when Charles Lindbergh, aka "Lucky Lindy" becomes the first person to cross the Atlantic by air. He was an immediate celebrity and set the world on fire with his achievements, and it was only a matter of time before people tried to emulate his feat. First, there's Elsie Mackay, the daughter of an English earl and an impressive pilot. Her family is dead set against her plans to cross the Atlantic, for very good reasons: dozens have died attempting the crossing. Still, the meticulous, talented, and courageous Elsie is determined to be successful.
Then there's Ruth Elder, a young beauty pageant queen who uses her winnings to take flying lessons, and who is approached by two pilots who want to turn her into a star. She has serious charisma and beauty, and coupled with her flying talent, becomes one of the most famous women in the world.
Finally there's Mabel Boll, a shallow, conniving, and clueless rich widow who strong-arms pilot after pilot into agreeing to fly her across the ocean simply so she can stake her place in history. Compared to the other two women, Mabel is talentless and the kind of character you love to hate. She's also the woman who competed directly with Amelia Earhart when the latter became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, so her inclusion, aside from providing some color and comic relief, is warranted, if at points a little annoying.
One of the things I loved best about Crossing the Horizon was getting to know the characters, especially Elsie Mackay. I was out of breath and reading furiously at her parts, and I completely fell in love with Elsie both as a character in this novel and as a historical figure I've never even heard about. Her story is definitely one to research!
History comes dizzyingly to life in this incredible novel. I learned about the beginnings of transatlantic aviation, the people who pioneered the skill, and was utterly immersed in the world of the 1920s in both the United States and England. I loved absolutely every minute of it all.
Recommended for:
Lovers of historical fiction; those interested in female-driven and/or feminist novels; lovers of 1920s fiction. Buy it at Amazon or Wordery, or follow me on Goodreads!
I received this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
misskitty13's review against another edition
2.0
Well. It took me over 8 months to finish this book. The premise by one of my favorite authors caught my eye. I was about to give up less than 100 pages in, until my relatively obscure hometown was mentioned. I stayed on for the adventure but it couldn’t even keep my attention for a chapter at a time. I’m glad I finished it and learned more about the women before Amelia Earhart but (as much as I love this author) I wished the story was handled by a more capable historical novelist.
mohawkm's review against another edition
3.0
Laurie Notaro has a pretty interesting goal here: flesh out the world of determined women who wanted to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, just before Amelia Earhart landed on the scene.
The book succeeds where it doesn't judge the women's tactics and personalities, showing the wide variety who tackled the task. And the dialogue is reasonably paced. This is good, because most of the book is dialogue - Notaro doesn't take us inside their motivations or worries really at all. It'd benefit from getting more into their heads (since it is fiction), and interspersing the clearly available newsclips from the time, which are mostly bunched at the end. The book is a little too long for the tale it tells, but it's an enjoyable romp to expand the knowledge of the many women who took to the skies as they opened up in the 1920s to airplane travel.
The book succeeds where it doesn't judge the women's tactics and personalities, showing the wide variety who tackled the task. And the dialogue is reasonably paced. This is good, because most of the book is dialogue - Notaro doesn't take us inside their motivations or worries really at all. It'd benefit from getting more into their heads (since it is fiction), and interspersing the clearly available newsclips from the time, which are mostly bunched at the end. The book is a little too long for the tale it tells, but it's an enjoyable romp to expand the knowledge of the many women who took to the skies as they opened up in the 1920s to airplane travel.
bumblebeekip23's review against another edition
5.0
This book took me a little longer than my usual reading speed, but it definitely helped me absorb what I was reading. Elsie, Ruth, and Mabel are three women all in a race to be the first to cross the Atlantic by plane, but then that Amelia Earhart is around too. It was very interesting learning about these three women that I had never heard of before, and learning how each woman's adventure and life turned out. Who will be the first and get the ticker tape parade?! There was one woman that I definitely was not cheering on, but you decide for yourself! Growing up I only ever feel Amelia was talked about in school so this was definitely a fascinating read that will stay with me!
brumback1's review
5.0
I'm not really into historical fiction, but I read the book because I'm such a fan of Laurie Notaro. So... I ended up LOVING this book. I listened to the audio version, and the narrator, Hillary Huber, is awesome. She adds an additional depth to the story. The stories of the three women are fascinating. I fought the urge to do my own research before finishing the book because I wanted to find out what happened so badly. Patience is not a virtue I possess. In the end, I fought, and fought the urge, only to succumb at the end to look up the fate of Elsie Mackay. Overall, this book was fantastic. It sparked an interest in me to learn more about these brave women. Read this book!
paperknotbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I want more on these aviatrixes! I’ve never heard of them before. 💕
allyssascott's review against another edition
3.0
Laura Notaro takes readers on a remarkable historical journey that tells the story of 3 women who entered a race to fly across the Atlantic. While this story is a work a fiction it is based on real women and true events. Elsie Mackay, Mabel Boll, and Ruth Elder all came from vastly different backgrounds but shared the same goal. This story was so well researched and I felt as though I had slipped into the 1920's.
While the story started off a little slow it quickly picks up as we learn more about each women. They are different from one another but you couldn't help but become fascinated with each of them. Notaro re-imagines their triumphs and hardships and the fact that she used real events truly enhanced the story.
These women were completely new to me and I found myself researching more about them after I had finished the story. It's an interesting piece of women's history and I felt the book read like fiction novel but stayed true to the true events that took place. I think the highlight of this book for me was seeing the strength and determination these women had. If you are a Historical Fiction reader then I would highly suggest you add this one to your "To-Be Read" list!!
While the story started off a little slow it quickly picks up as we learn more about each women. They are different from one another but you couldn't help but become fascinated with each of them. Notaro re-imagines their triumphs and hardships and the fact that she used real events truly enhanced the story.
These women were completely new to me and I found myself researching more about them after I had finished the story. It's an interesting piece of women's history and I felt the book read like fiction novel but stayed true to the true events that took place. I think the highlight of this book for me was seeing the strength and determination these women had. If you are a Historical Fiction reader then I would highly suggest you add this one to your "To-Be Read" list!!