Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead is a breathtaking novel that follows the life of Marian Graves, a daring female pilot who sets out to fly around the world in the 1950s. The story alternates between Marian's journey and that of Hadley Baxter, a Hollywood actress who is cast to play Marian in a film about her life.
Shipstead's writing is rich and evocative, bringing both Marian and Hadley to life in vivid detail. The novel explores themes of adventure, ambition, love, and sacrifice, and raises questions about the limitations society places on women's dreams and desires.
The dual narrative structure adds depth and complexity to the story, allowing readers to see how Marian's choices and actions impact Hadley's life decades later. The novel is beautifully crafted, with intricate plotting and lyrical prose that will stay with you long after you finish reading.
Overall, Great Circle is a stunning and unforgettable novel that showcases Shipstead's talent as a writer. It is a sweeping epic that will transport you to different times and places, and leave you pondering the nature of freedom, destiny, and the ties that bind us to each other. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and literary fiction.