Great Circle

What’s it about?

“Great Circle” is an epic work of historical fiction.  The story follows two women of different generations whose lives intersect- Marian Graves and Hadley Baxter.  Marian’s story begins in 1909 and takes us all over the world as she discovers a love of aviation and of independence.  Hadley Baxter’s timeline is set in the present day. Hadley is the actress that is chosen to play Marian in a movie.

What did it make me think about?

How much our lives have changed in the last 100 years.

Should I read it?

I love a big old sweeping saga so this novel appealed to me.  My impression is that readers will either love it or hate it.  This book takes some commitment on the reader’s part.  The characters (though really well drawn) are not always likable, but what an interesting time this story is set in and what interesting characters they are. If you are a fan of historical fiction and are up for 589 pages I would highly recommend this one.

Quote-

“That Marian would turn a teetotaler after their marriage was a decision he’d made without consulting her, a rule she’d awoken to find hammered into place.  She would have liked to try a cocktail in a jazz club but didn’t wish to argue.  She hadn’t anticipated how much of her behavior after marriage would be motivated by a wish not to argue.”