Great Circle: A novel
“A masterpiece ... One of the best books I’ve ever read.” —J. Courtney Sullivan, author of Friends and Strangers
After being rescued as infants from a sinking ocean liner in 1914, Marian and Jamie Graves are raised by their dissolute uncle in Missoula, Montana. There--after encountering a pair of barnstorming pilots passing through town in beat-up biplanes--Marian commences her lifelong love affair with flight. At fourteen she drops out of school and finds an unexpected and dangerous patron in a wealthy bootlegger who provides a plane and subsidizes her lessons, an arrangement that will haunt her for the rest of her life, even as it allows her to fulfill her destiny: circumnavigating the globe by flying over the North and South Poles.
A century later, Hadley Baxter is cast to play Marian in a film that centers on Marian's disappearance in Antarctica. Vibrant, canny, disgusted with the claustrophobia of Hollywood, Hadley is eager to redefine herself after a romantic film franchise has imprisoned her in the grip of cult celebrity. Her immersion into the character of Marian unfolds, thrillingly, alongside Marian's own story, as the two women's fates--and their hunger for self-determination in vastly different geographies and times--collide. Epic and emotional, meticulously researched and gloriously told, Great Circle is a monumental work of art, and a tremendous leap forward for the prodigiously gifted Maggie Shipstead.
Great Circle: A Novel by Maggie Shipstead is an epic tale that spans continents and centuries, following the lives of two women who are bound together by their shared passion for flying.
Marian Graves is a young pilot in the 1920s who dreams of flying around the world. She is determined to break records and defy the limits of what is possible for women in aviation. Harriet Coulter is a modern-day actress who is cast in a film about Marian's life. As Harriet learns more about Marian, she becomes increasingly fascinated by her story and her own desire to live a life of adventure.
Great Circle is a story of ambition, courage, and the unbreakable bond between two women who are separated by time but connected by their love of flying. Shipstead's writing is lyrical and evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of the early days of aviation. She also creates complex and compelling characters who stay with you long after you finish the book.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, adventure stories, or stories about strong women, then you will love Great Circle. It is a truly unforgettable novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Some of the themes explored in Great Circle include:
- The power of dreams: Both Marian and Harriet are driven by their dreams of flying. They are willing to risk everything to achieve their goals.
- The importance of courage: Marian and Harriet both face challenges that require them to be brave. They must overcome their fears and doubts in order to achieve their dreams.
- The unbreakable bond between women: Marian and Harriet are separated by time, but they are connected by their shared passion for flying. Their friendship is a reminder of the power of women to support and encourage each other.
Great Circle is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, adventure stories, and stories about strong women.
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