Reviews

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

jl27's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I liked this story -- and Beryl! -- so much. I was baffled by other reviewers who labeled Beryl as selfish or daft or all manner of things they called throughout the reviews I saw. That just truly speaks volumes about mindsets.

The story certainly wasn't all roses, but I liked that just a handful of people around Beryl understood her and saw for her strength, resilience, and untamable spirit. Everyone else resented her for these qualities (to put it in modern terms, she had a lot of haters) because they couldn't beat her, nor be her.

I think my favorite part of the entire book was that, because she ended with just herself, she was truly able to prove to herself that *she* was really was all that she needed.

missyjohnson's review

Go to review page

4.0

I enjoy books about women ahead of their time and willing to step outside the norms. Beryl Markham is one of those women. I now plan to read her autobiography. My friend Kelly reminded me of Beryl's connection in the film Out of Africa. I think that I will watch that again. I will see it differently this time I am sure. My only frustration in the book was a few places where the multiple names/nicknames for people was a bit confusing. Karen/Tania/Isak or Blix/Bror or Denys/Finch Hatton etc. The Paris Wife is no my to read list. I will certainly read that by McLain.

eggjen's review

Go to review page

4.0

I really enjoyed this. I could relate to Beryl in a lot of ways, especially with her early family life - and I found myself rooting for her from cover to cover. She led a fascinating life that was both difficult and admirable. McLain's story is well written and absorbing.

peaknit's review

Go to review page

4.0

I really enjoyed this book on audio. The English accent of the narrator added authenticity. The story was well told, very descriptive. That said, I didn't really like the main character, she lacked empathy perhaps as a result of her rather wild upbringing. She was selfish throughout much of the book. However, in spite of that, it was very interesting and believable. It has inspired me to read the book written by the real person depicted, Beryl Markham. The author did a great job pulling me in, making believe this all happened just as it is written. I may also rent Out of Africa for more background. I love when I end a book with the urge to go on and find more material, to learn more. Even if I don't think I would like Ms. Markham in person, she led an incredible life, hard in many ways. The glimpse into the English society in Africa was a bit astonishing in a slightly sordid way, which I admit I found intriguing.

jansbookcorner's review

Go to review page

3.0

I read "The Paris Wife" by the same author in 2013 and thought it was a good book. Nothing spectacular, but good. I felt the same way about this book. It was an interesting story about Beryl Markham. It tells in historical fiction fashion, her life story from a young child in Kenya to an accomplished woman who is not only a horse trainer but a pilot. While her story is interesting, it's not spell binding. Overall an interesting read, but not at the top of my recommended list.

pam2375's review

Go to review page

5.0

I loved this book! The descriptions of Africa were absolutely amazing.

erintowner's review

Go to review page

3.0

This book was a little sappy and I wasn't sure how I felt about the main character. Regardless, I always fly right through Paula McLain's books and will read any new ones she writes.

frooml's review

Go to review page

adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

book_concierge's review

Go to review page

3.0

Book on CD performed by Katherine McEwan

In September 1936 Beryl Markham became the first woman to fly solo East-to-West from Europe to North America. Paula McLain’s novel gives the reader the background of Markham’s childhood and young adulthood that led to that historic accomplishment.

I read and enjoyed McLain’s previous novel, [b:The Paris Wife|8683812|The Paris Wife|Paula McLain|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320545874s/8683812.jpg|13556031], about Hadley and Ernest Hemingway during their Paris years. McLain does extensive research into her subject and had a wealth of information on which to base this work of historical fiction. I appreciate how she paints the landscape of this part of Africa – the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feel of the place and the people in the early part of the 20th century.

Still, I struggle with giving the work a higher rating because I so disliked Beryl Markham. I’ve read other books where the main character is not likeable, but where the writing elevated the work and I still liked and appreciated the novel (e.g. [b:Olive Kitteridge|5552635|Olive Kitteridge|Elizabeth Strout|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1444504733s/5552635.jpg|3263906] or [b:Lolita|3486989|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1213913565s/3486989.jpg|1268631]). That wasn’t the case here. Yes, I know she was damaged by her mother’s abandonment, and her father’s minimal attention. I understand how she basically raised herself, and was unable and/or unwilling to conform to society’s expectations. I recognize her intelligence, determination and tenacity. But the Beryl Markham in this book never seemed to learn anything from her mistakes. She careens from one bad situation to another, making many of the same mistakes again and again. She feels lonely and unloved, yet
Spoilerbetrays the only friend she has, Karen Blixen, by having an affair with Karen’s great love Denys Finch Hatton.


While the prologue and epilogue are about her historic flight across the Atlantic, McLain chose to focus the novel on Beryl’s childhood and young adulthood. The result is that the character is just becoming the woman we know about when the story ends. And I’m left feeling disappointed in both Beryl and the book.

Katherine McEwan does a fine job narrating the audio version. She has good pacing and is able to give the characters sufficiently unique voices that I had no trouble following the story.

leahfinan's review

Go to review page

emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I did not like the pacing of this book. The stories of her various affairs went on and on but the actually interesting parts felt rushed.