NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A TODAY SHOW #ReadWithJenna BOOK CLUB PICK The unforgettable story of a daredevil female aviator determined to chart her own course in life, at any cost: an “epic trip—through Prohibition and World War II, from Montana to London to present-day Hollywood—and youll relish every minute” (People).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.
Embark on a captivating journey through time and continents with "Great Circle," the highly acclaimed novel by Maggie Shipstead. This epic tale weaves together the lives of two extraordinary women, Marian Graves and Hadley Baxter, separated by decades but connected by their shared passion for flight.
Marian, a fearless aviatrix, sets out to circumnavigate the globe in 1914, determined to conquer the skies and become a legend. Her daring quest takes her from Montana to Alaska and Siberia, pushing the limits of human endurance and challenging societal norms.
Decades later, Hadley, a struggling actress, discovers Marian's forgotten story and becomes captivated by her legacy. As she delves deeper into Marian's life, Hadley uncovers secrets and hidden truths that shed light on their intertwined destinies.
"Great Circle" is a sweeping historical saga that explores themes of ambition, love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams. Maggie Shipstead's masterful storytelling brings these characters to life, capturing the essence of their struggles, triumphs, and unbreakable spirits.
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of "Great Circle" and be transported across oceans and continents, through the eyes of two remarkable women who dared to defy boundaries and leave their mark on history.
