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clairechum's review against another edition
4.0
UPDATE: I don't know why but I've been thinking about this book recently but I don't think I gave it as high of a rating as it deserves, so I'm updating it. I still agree it took forever to gain momentum, but I loved it once it did.
This book was good...except for the fact that it took ages to pick up. The whole novel was almost 600 pages and I definitely believe parts could have been omitted so it wasn't as long as it was. I almost lost complete interest because it took 150 or so pages to gauge my interest. I am so glad I didn't give up, though, because I loved Marian's story. It was fascinating hearing about her life, though fictional, as a female pilot in the mid-twentieth century. All the sections about Marian, specifically, were engaging and my favorite to read. Although, while in her relationship with Barclay, there were parts that might be sensitive to read.
As I said, I loved the story when it was about Marian. I did not, however, especially care for the random tidbits written about Hadley. I felt as though the subplot about an actress playing Marian Graves in an upcoming movie was not well-developed or necessary to make this novel strong. Overall, I enjoyed this read but felt like it could have been made better had Shipstead completely cut Hadley's part in it out and written as if it was following Marian's life from start to end as if it were in the moment.
3.5/5 stars
This book was good...except for the fact that it took ages to pick up. The whole novel was almost 600 pages and I definitely believe parts could have been omitted so it wasn't as long as it was. I almost lost complete interest because it took 150 or so pages to gauge my interest. I am so glad I didn't give up, though, because I loved Marian's story. It was fascinating hearing about her life, though fictional, as a female pilot in the mid-twentieth century. All the sections about Marian, specifically, were engaging and my favorite to read. Although, while in her relationship with Barclay, there were parts that might be sensitive to read.
As I said, I loved the story when it was about Marian. I did not, however, especially care for the random tidbits written about Hadley. I felt as though the subplot about an actress playing Marian Graves in an upcoming movie was not well-developed or necessary to make this novel strong. Overall, I enjoyed this read but felt like it could have been made better had Shipstead completely cut Hadley's part in it out and written as if it was following Marian's life from start to end as if it were in the moment.
3.5/5 stars
julieggs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
thekatedit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tobbled's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Annoyingly I would've really enjoyed the last 200 or so pages of this IF I hadn't had to sit through the onslaught of the first 400 pages. Way too much happens in Great Circle to actively care about anything. And I get it. I get why. The book is called Great Circle not only in reference to Marian's flight but to how life is interconnected and ya-da ya-da all these events happening in the beginning affect things later on and will circle back BUT I do not care! I understand the symbolism and you could even argue that the fact I don't care about all these events is mirroring the idea that everything is insignificant and something about Marian measuring her worth against the world. However if you review every book with the idea that everything you don't like is secretly a genius symbol then every single book is amazing and show stopping.
Great Circle took me 25 days to read. And not just because it is a 670 page book. Because it is a boring book and I skimmed the last 200 pages - which was in some ways actually the most interesting part about the book.
Obviously I must've liked bits of this book to give it 3.5 stars and I did! This is in no way a bad book it's just not for me: there is too much happening. Also I don't think the writing style exactly reflected Marian in the way it was supposed to. Hadley says, in the book, something along the lines of 'not condensing Marian' and how she is complex and yet that is exactly what the writing style does! It is too official and on the nose - everything is thrown into a box and lacks nuance. Despite the themes of this book being complex and very grey areas, the writing did not mirror that in a way it should've. Also Hadley did absolutely nothing in this entire book.
Annoyingly I would've really enjoyed the last 200 or so pages of this IF I hadn't had to sit through the onslaught of the first 400 pages. Way too much happens in Great Circle to actively care about anything. And I get it. I get why. The book is called Great Circle not only in reference to Marian's flight but to how life is interconnected and ya-da ya-da all these events happening in the beginning affect things later on and will circle back BUT I do not care! I understand the symbolism and you could even argue that the fact I don't care about all these events is mirroring the idea that everything is insignificant and something about Marian measuring her worth against the world. However if you review every book with the idea that everything you don't like is secretly a genius symbol then every single book is amazing and show stopping.
Great Circle took me 25 days to read. And not just because it is a 670 page book. Because it is a boring book and I skimmed the last 200 pages - which was in some ways actually the most interesting part about the book.
Obviously I must've liked bits of this book to give it 3.5 stars and I did! This is in no way a bad book it's just not for me: there is too much happening. Also I don't think the writing style exactly reflected Marian in the way it was supposed to. Hadley says, in the book, something along the lines of 'not condensing Marian' and how she is complex and yet that is exactly what the writing style does! It is too official and on the nose - everything is thrown into a box and lacks nuance. Despite the themes of this book being complex and very grey areas, the writing did not mirror that in a way it should've. Also Hadley did absolutely nothing in this entire book.
franticbread22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
endraia's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
christygenta's review against another edition
3.0
The plot of this was okay but I didn’t really like any of the characters. I will say I didn’t see the ending coming.
dhanger222's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
niharikashetty's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
paigeupstate's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My rating feels mean given the quality of the book, but I spent 60% just sort of wishing it would be over. The characters in the book were wonderfully formed, intricate, real. The setting was clearly so well researched and constructed. And, the writing! So beautiful! And yet! I was so sick of it by the end. Still a very cool story told in a full and interesting way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault