Review of Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
As a fan of historical fiction, I was instantly drawn to Great Circle, a novel that tells the captivating story of a daredevil female aviator, Marian Graves. With its dual narrative structure—dividing time between Marian’s early 20th-century life and the modern-day journey of actress Hadley Baxter—this book promised a sweeping adventure, filled with rich historical context and emotional depth. The premise of a woman attempting to circumnavigate the globe by flying over the North and South Poles seemed enticing, especially given the historical backdrop of Prohibition and World War II.
At over 600 pages, Great Circle is ambitious, and Shipstead does an excellent job of immersing readers in both Marian’s and Hadley’s narratives. Personally, I found Marian’s sections to be the most captivating. Her resilience and determination to conquer the skies, despite the male-dominated world of aviation and a rather tumultuous upbringing, were undeniably compelling. LindaL expressed this perfectly in her review, mentioning how the writing is “beautiful,” and I wholeheartedly agree. Shipstead excels in crafting potent imagery and deep emotions, making it easy to feel Marian’s struggles and triumphs.
One remarkable strength of the novel is its character development. Marian emerges as a multi-dimensional figure filled with passion and complexity. The exploration of her relationships, particularly with her twin brother Jamie and her manipulative benefactor, Barclay, adds significant layers to her story. The contrast between Marian’s historical aspirations and Hadley’s modern Hollywood struggles presents an insightful commentary on female empowerment and identity. Betsey Van Horn echoes this sentiment, noting how Shipstead weaves a tale of “resilience and perseverance.”
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. While I found Marian’s storyline to be richly detailed, Hadley’s sections felt less developed and sometimes a bit out of place. Her narrative seemed to meander and didn’t always advance the plot. I share Sarah Short’s sentiment about Hadley’s storyline potentially being trimmed down, as too much of it felt like filler, especially early on. It wasn’t until the war segment that the plot truly picked up.
The alternating timelines were a double-edged sword; while they aimed to deepen the narrative, Hadley’s arc occasionally detracted from the vibrancy of Marian’s adventures. I often found myself impatient to return to Marian’s epic journey, which was truly the heart of the novel. As I rounded the final chapters, uneasy tension built around Marian’s fate, as hinted at in the book’s description, leaving me both anxious and excited for the resolution.
On a more positive note, Shipstead’s meticulous research is palpable; it enriches the reading experience by grounding the characters in a well-defined historical setting. From the details of the early days of aviation to the nuances of life during Prohibition, her attention to detail showcases impressive craftsmanship.
In conclusion, Great Circle is an epic narrative voyage that showcases the spirit of two remarkable women separated by time but united in their quest for autonomy. I applaud Maggie Shipstead for offering a profound exploration of ambition, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. While I personally found some sections less engaging than others, the overall structure and character-building place this novel on solid ground.
If you enjoy complex characters, emotional depth, and a historical backdrop that spans continents and decades, I recommend picking up Great Circle. Just be prepared for a long read—great stories often are. I rate this captivating novel a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.