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claudine2's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
This book alternates between chapters about the author William Faulkner (based on true events) and a wing walker/pilot couple who meet briefly, in the early 1930s.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this dual perspective historical fiction book. A new to me author, this dual timeline story kept me entertained from start to finish. I loved getting an insight into the wingwalkers who flew around performing during the Great Depression. We also get to learn more about Enzo's past in flashbacks to his life during WWI. I didn't love the narrator and think I might have enjoyed the book more reading a print copy but overall this was an original and thoroughly enjoyable read. Perfect for fans of The last dance on the Starlight pier or The four winds by Kristin Hannah. Much thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advance review copy!
kategci's review against another edition
2.0
Thought this was going to be something else, a novel about aerial acrobatics in the interwar period. And it was, but it was really about alcoholism, desperate lives in the depression and William Faulkner. That William Faulkner, who I have struggled to read. Told in alternating chapters and time frames, the author tells us about Zeno Marigold, a WW I pilot, trying to make a living as a show pilot. Della sees his act, leaves her small town with him and learns to be a stunt walker. The other half of the book is about William Faulkner (nee Falkner) who grows up in Oxford, Mississippi and may or may not have done heroic things in WW I. Overall, this was a drag to read, with lots of repetition as Zeno and Della move west (the flights, the trees, the weather, the hunger, etc) and the description of the self absorbed, alcoholic Faulkner growing up. Lots of repetition there as well. If this had not been a book club selection, I would not have finished it.
amysbrittain's review against another edition
5.0
Brown's signature immersive details and wonderfully imagined, rich characters bring Depression-era scenes to life against an irresistible backdrop of swooping, soaring, daring aviation in Wingwalkers.
What is it about aviation stories and my being so in love with them?
In Taylor Brown's recently published historical fiction novel Wingwalkers, Zeno, a former World War I ace pilot, and Della, his daring wingwalking wife, travel Depression-era America, wowing audiences and inspiring hope in a dark, sober time.
Zeno and Della are vagabonds, putting on shows for small bills and change, scrambling to make enough to fuel their plane, feed their dog, and to hopefully have enough left over to eat meager meals, just enough to keep them going. They're daring, sometimes haunted, broken, in love, and irresistible to read about.
Brown offers another parallel storyline tracking the frustrated would-be pilot and burgeoning author Bill (William) Faulkner, his three beloved brothers, his lost loves, his torment and motivation, and his struggles and successes. When the characters from the two rich stories that make up Wingwalkers briefly intersect, it's fantastic.
Wingwalkers shines through immersive descriptions offered in signature Taylor Brown style, including glimpses of Depression-era America both from the sky and at close range; vivid moments placing these wonderfully wrought characters solidly in place and time; and various views of a broken landscape that perfectly mirrors the dashed dreams of so many during grim times. The Depression's dark effects on the country contrast dramatically with the majestic, gutsy aviation at the heart of the story, which boosts the stubborn hopes of those who allow themselves to be inspired.
Wingwalkers swoops and soars yet grounds the reader in wonderfully imagined (and researched) details that bring the story to life. I loved this book!
I received a prepublication digital edition of this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.
Taylor is also the author of Gods of Howl Mountain, a book I loved and gave five stars, Pride of Eden (a book still on my to-read list that looks wonderful), and Fallen Land, a title I loved and included in the Greedy Reading List Six Great Historical Fiction Stories about the Civil War.
If you’re not on the Taylor Brown train yet, may I strongly suggest you join me?
To see my full review on The Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Wingwalkers.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! The Bossy Bookworm
They were over Georgia somewhere, another nameless hamlet whose dusty streets lay flocked and trembling with the pink handbills they’d rained from the sky that morning, the ones that announced the coming of DELLA THE DARING DEVILETTE, who would DEFY THE HEAVENS, shining like a DAYTIME STAR, a WING-WALKING WONDER borne upon the wings of CAPTAIN ZENO MARIGOLD, a DOUBLE ACE of the GREAT WAR, who had ELEVEN AERIAL VICTORIES over the TRENCHES OF FRANCE.
What is it about aviation stories and my being so in love with them?
In Taylor Brown's recently published historical fiction novel Wingwalkers, Zeno, a former World War I ace pilot, and Della, his daring wingwalking wife, travel Depression-era America, wowing audiences and inspiring hope in a dark, sober time.
Zeno and Della are vagabonds, putting on shows for small bills and change, scrambling to make enough to fuel their plane, feed their dog, and to hopefully have enough left over to eat meager meals, just enough to keep them going. They're daring, sometimes haunted, broken, in love, and irresistible to read about.
She wanted to rip the weights from his chest, the heavy stones he carried, blacked by the great fire of his heart.
Brown offers another parallel storyline tracking the frustrated would-be pilot and burgeoning author Bill (William) Faulkner, his three beloved brothers, his lost loves, his torment and motivation, and his struggles and successes. When the characters from the two rich stories that make up Wingwalkers briefly intersect, it's fantastic.
Wingwalkers shines through immersive descriptions offered in signature Taylor Brown style, including glimpses of Depression-era America both from the sky and at close range; vivid moments placing these wonderfully wrought characters solidly in place and time; and various views of a broken landscape that perfectly mirrors the dashed dreams of so many during grim times. The Depression's dark effects on the country contrast dramatically with the majestic, gutsy aviation at the heart of the story, which boosts the stubborn hopes of those who allow themselves to be inspired.
"Stories," she said. Sometimes she could hardly believe her own. Sometimes she wondered if she held the threads of her own story or if there were another hand out there, unseen--god or author or fate--pulling the strings and banshee wires of their world. Or no one, only the wind. Sometimes she wondered if they were not haunted but haints themselves, turning endless circles over the land, performing the same acts over and over, replaying the same deaths--unable to move on.
Wingwalkers swoops and soars yet grounds the reader in wonderfully imagined (and researched) details that bring the story to life. I loved this book!
I received a prepublication digital edition of this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.
Taylor is also the author of Gods of Howl Mountain, a book I loved and gave five stars, Pride of Eden (a book still on my to-read list that looks wonderful), and Fallen Land, a title I loved and included in the Greedy Reading List Six Great Historical Fiction Stories about the Civil War.
If you’re not on the Taylor Brown train yet, may I strongly suggest you join me?
To see my full review on The Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Wingwalkers.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! The Bossy Bookworm
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
Such a pretty cover. I love the colors and the view from the sky. But somehow, this story just never grabbed me. I think there was more partying and romance than storyline of the actual wingwalkers. I wanted to feel the pull of the characters and the wind in my hair. But I did enjoy the story, it was just not what I thought it would be.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
rosalynnaustin's review against another edition
Didn't connect with the characters.
itsmarkyall's review against another edition
5.0
Taylor Brown is the kind of wordsmith who will make you cry his writing is so good. Wingwalkers is his best work so far. You’ll want to read slowly and savor the story’s every detail. The landing sticks and will leave you teary eyed.
kevinmccarrick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
janbooks's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. I never reached a point where I got pulled into the characters, and didn't feel there was much of a plot line. Perhaps a reader who was interested in early flying, barnstorming and such would find it a better story. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC though.
ccochrane510's review against another edition
3.0
Didn’t like it. None of the characters grabbed me.