A review by jedore
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"I've sometimes thought that being loved a little less than others can actually make a person, rather than ruin them."

Before reading this book, I only knew that Beryl Markham was a record-setting pilot in the 1930s. By the time I finished, she was part of my literary sisterhood.

We share many traits...

She was physically and emotionally abandoned by both of her parents.
She even resisted the "typical" life lived by the whites living in Africa.
She was fiercely independent, proud, and determined.
She both loved and was frustrated by men.
She did what she wanted despite many people trying to hold her down.
Rather than choose victimhood, she rose.

This was my first read about English colonial life in Africa. I could see the stunning beauty of Nairobi based on Paula's vivid descriptions—and totally understood the desire to live in such an untamed place.

What an interesting peek into the lives of some of the rich white expats who made Nairobi their home at this time in history. The issue of classism was not addressed in the story, so much was left unsaid, but you definitely get a sense of the rampant hedonism of the crowd and times.

On behalf of all women, I was totally disgusted by the massively misogynistic behavior of most of the men and women's forced reliance on their good will. (I'd like to say that we've significantly evolved in 100 years, but we haven't come anywhere near far enough.)

On behalf of Beryl, I was sickened that despite being exponentially smarter, stronger and savvier than most of the men in her life, they were often successful in holding her down. She was forced to fight way too hard for her dreams and survival until the very end.

I've added Out of Africa and West With the Night to my reading list to learn even more about this time and Beryl herself. The former was written by one of Beryl's friend about her love affair with the man Beryl also loved; the later is Beryl's memoir. 


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