Reviews

O Grande Círculo by Maggie Shipstead

kellerm's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. I have not read such a wonderful book in a long time. The language used in the book was extraordinary. The themes were very relevant and covered thoroughly. You are missing out if you do not read this book.

brenna_law's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

helena_chris's review against another edition

Hard dnf, far too many sexual themes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Pedophilia

reblihovde's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

shimmery's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 rounded up. An enjoyable read that I was keen to get back to to discover what happens next, until the last 100 pages or so when it really started to drag. The story of Marian Graves, a girl who wants to be a pilot in the early 20th century, was fun and moving, and I loved her bond with her brother, and best friend Caleb. I thought the parts of the book about Hadley, set in the modern day and telling the story of an actress who is set to play Marian in a film about her life, were less successful. While there was an interesting interplay between both narratives, with us finding out some of the plot through the modern day story only to have it unwound and intricacies revealed as we follow Marian’s life, I think the book could have done without the modern day part. I would blame the editor but the acknowledgments show 400 pages were cut out before publication (meaning the book would have been 1000 pages instead of 600!) — I’m guessing they had to give up at some point.

There’s a part near the end where Hadley decides she doesn’t need to keep searching for clues, that some stories should be left open ended as you can never know the whole — if only the author had shared the same sentiment.

Still, a good book on the whole.

annalaurasw's review against another edition

5.0

A fascinating and deeply researched character study, Marian was so fully realized I forgot she wasn’t a real life historical figure. I found it to be engrossing, even with the dual timeline, which I don’t normally like. I felt the parts set in modern day informed the way we view Marian’s status as a legendary historical figure, and solidifies the impact her story has. The difference between fact and fiction within her actual story and the biopic being made about her I also found interesting, and reflective of the way certain parts of real people’s stories are glossed over, smoothed out, or erased.

abisnail564's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really enjoyed reading this but it definitely could have been shorter. I also thought there were bits of just unnecessary description that didn’t add much. But I was rooting for both Hadley and Marian.

amandawhit's review against another edition

I had such high hopes for this book, and I did like the writing style, but was just not into the random child sexual abuse that happens. And the constant mention of her throbbing vagina. Like I am not a prude, but they added nothing to the story? I also felt like this suffered a bit too much from the constantly changing POV problem that the book about the Panama canal did. I just want to get to know the characters! Also, the present day storyline was not needed.

kimg's review against another edition

adventurous

4.5

nsperger's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25