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Great Circle: The dazzling new novel for fans of THE GOLDFINCH

Great Circle: The dazzling new novel for fans of THE GOLDFINCH

  • Downloads：8406
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-07-18 00:15:58
  • Update Date：2025-09-23
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Maggie Shipstead
  • ISBN：0857526812
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER
'Smart， ambitious and so beautifully written。 An amazing literary feat' CURTIS SITTENFELD
'Epic in spirit and scope。 A soaring masterclass' TELEGRAPH （five stars）
_______________________
I WAS BORN TO BE A WANDERER

From the night she is rescued as a baby out of the flames of a sinking ship; to the day she joins a pair of daredevil pilots looping and diving over the rugged forests of her childhood， to the thrill of flying Spitfires during the war， the life of Marian Graves has always been marked by a lust for freedom and danger。

In 1950， she embarks on the great circle flight， circumnavigating the globe。 It is Marian's life dream and her final journey， before she disappears without a trace。

Half a century later， Hadley Baxter， a brilliant， troubled Hollywood starlet is irresistibly drawn to play Marian Graves， a role that will lead her to probe the deepest mysteries of the vanished pilot's life。

An enthralling journey over oceans and continents and a drama of exhilarating power， GREAT CIRCLE is perfect for book clubs and fans of William Boyd and Donna Tartt。
_________________________________________

'Gripping' SUNDAY TIMES
'Extraordinary' NEW YORK TIMES
'One of the most hotly anticipated books of the spring' MARIELLA FROSTRUP

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Reviews

Amy M。 Mize ，

Library: This is a long book （600 pages）， but I found it to be very readable。 I enjoyed Marian and Jamie’s storylines the most， but there weren’t any characters that I did NOT want to read about。 Although the book is long， by the time I was within 100 pages of the ending， I was wondering how the author would be able to wrap up all the storylines。 I liked how she pulled it off。 I’m glad I read this one。 Interesting coincidence: all 3 books I’m reading this week have significant allusions to The T Library: This is a long book （600 pages）， but I found it to be very readable。 I enjoyed Marian and Jamie’s storylines the most， but there weren’t any characters that I did NOT want to read about。 Although the book is long， by the time I was within 100 pages of the ending， I was wondering how the author would be able to wrap up all the storylines。 I liked how she pulled it off。 I’m glad I read this one。 Interesting coincidence: all 3 books I’m reading this week have significant allusions to The Tempest。 。。。more

Ophelia Alderton ，

I FINISHED IT！！！ 598 pages but it felt like 5988。 I think I don’t like historical fiction。。。。but also there was too much going on in this book。 It was over seasoned and too many characters and rabbit holes。 I feel it could have been much simpler and shorter。

Beth Nuss ，

Way too long。 Of course I finished it。 That’s what I do…finish bad books

Sheila ，

3。75

Chris ，

Epic saga of Marian Graves who attempted to circumnavigate the earth in 1950。 While 600 pages can appear daunting， I enjoyed all the characters and the pages flew by。 I enjoyed learning more about Marian and her twin brother Jamie than Hadley who portrays Marian in an upcoming movie。 Thankfully， the author kept the pages about Hadley much shorter。

Susan Howson ，

Imagine being this good a writer。 My stomach hurts。

Wendy ，

I'm not usually a fan of epic novels， but after reading the reviews， I decided to give Great Circle a go。 This is a big book that spans the life of twins whose father makes a split-second decision to save their lives on a sinking ship。 They are raised by an uncle in rural Montana--kind of a raised by wolves life--where they are free to roam as they wish。 Marian， the girl， dreams of being a pilot of seeing some barnstormers overhead。 She realizes her dream but pays a big price for it。 The book fo I'm not usually a fan of epic novels， but after reading the reviews， I decided to give Great Circle a go。 This is a big book that spans the life of twins whose father makes a split-second decision to save their lives on a sinking ship。 They are raised by an uncle in rural Montana--kind of a raised by wolves life--where they are free to roam as they wish。 Marian， the girl， dreams of being a pilot of seeing some barnstormers overhead。 She realizes her dream but pays a big price for it。 The book follows her legendary story and that of her brother。 Alternating with Marian's story is that of a troubled young actress who is chosen to play Marian in a film of her life。 At first， I didn't understand the significance of this alternating storyline， but as the book continued， things started to fall into place。 I am amazed at the detail the author went into to describe the planes， the geography， and the flights。 Truly a masterpiece and I hope that a movie is made of it。 Wow。 。。。more

David ，

Epic， interlocking stories of 2 primary characters （and multiple small stories and characters as well）。 Very engrossing。 A bit longer than it perhaps needed to be。

Starr ，

4。5

Tami ，

Worth reading， it’s good， but this is not a quick read。 It is very long - almost 600 pages long and it’s a slow burn to grasp the storyline。 The book jumps between multiple time periods with a large cast of characters。 The idea of a story dominated by a strong woman carving out an extraordinary， independent life drew me to this novel。 Marian Graves and her artist twin brother Jamie， their life passions and loves， were the heart and soul of a compelling story lasting through the bulk of the twent Worth reading， it’s good， but this is not a quick read。 It is very long - almost 600 pages long and it’s a slow burn to grasp the storyline。 The book jumps between multiple time periods with a large cast of characters。 The idea of a story dominated by a strong woman carving out an extraordinary， independent life drew me to this novel。 Marian Graves and her artist twin brother Jamie， their life passions and loves， were the heart and soul of a compelling story lasting through the bulk of the twentieth century， packed with action and exciting times。 I truly enjoyed Jamie and wish there was more about him。 If only the book had been shorter and more focused on them。 I made it to the end but several issues made this read an uphill battle。Generally， it was way too long。 The storyline is split between two timelines and I quickly realized the contemporary one did not interest me。 I could see why the actress slated to play Marian in a biopic movie became an instrument for revealing issues in Marian's history that were not generally known， but in large the movie making and the actresses' personal life just seemed a distraction from the main event。The narrative is written in the third person and I felt it created a distance between me and the characters。 Marian does seem purposely written as a self-contained， independent figure， but I felt a casual observer and I would have preferred a closer connection to the main characters， particularly Jamie and Marian。Its obvious and admirable that the author knew so much about the period， places and planes that dominated Marion's life but sometimes the detailed sharing of her knowledge was too much。Basically， the essence of Shipstead's story is excellent but I felt the execution could have been better and much more concise。 。。。more

Kathleen Power ，

Very good， but too long。

Elizabeth ，

Centered on Marian， a composite character of early female aviators， this book brought to mind Elizabeth Gilbert’s “The Signature of All Things。” While I had a hard time connecting with Marian as a character， Shipstead successfully weaves together two complex narratives， ending with a satisfying twist。

Renee ，

Absolutely engrossing saga！！ Well earned acclaim--lives up to the hype。

Kim Lubin ，

Well written- good story line- the book is just too long！ At first I thought I was reading historical fiction and that’s why every last detail was included。 So I googled Marion Graves。 But no， it’s total fiction。

Jessica ，

This was quite the epic story！ I loved Marian and want to meet her， Caleb， and Jamie！ I loved all of the flight/aviation information as well as places in this world that I had never heard of before。

Bonny ，

This is a long book but absolutely readable。 This is one if those books I recommend highly for anyone interested in early aviation。 I don't often encourage my husband to red books I've read but this is one he will enjoy。 Take time to enjoy this book！ This is a long book but absolutely readable。 This is one if those books I recommend highly for anyone interested in early aviation。 I don't often encourage my husband to red books I've read but this is one he will enjoy。 Take time to enjoy this book！ 。。。more

Jann ，

Loved it！Did not expect to like this book so much but the characters just pulled me right in！ I highly recommend it

Megan ，

A dauntingly massive book （589 pages in my edition） which dragged me in and captivated me throughout。 Told from two different viewpoints from the present and the past （which usually annoys the sh*t out of me） - it is a breathtaking novel。 Is it Steinbeck？ No， but reminded me of him insofar as human emotions and motivations are explored - for good， or bad。Brilliant。

Karen ，

A brilliantly written story that moves between our primary character in the 30’s and 40’s to today。 Hadley， our today character is as welcome in this book as Marion even as she struggles for her position and definition as an actress， both feel real。 Similar life circumstances along with real historical references draws you in and doesn’t let go。 The author is amazing at creating the characters and deftly moves us from one era to another。 It’s very long and likely could have been delivered a bit A brilliantly written story that moves between our primary character in the 30’s and 40’s to today。 Hadley， our today character is as welcome in this book as Marion even as she struggles for her position and definition as an actress， both feel real。 Similar life circumstances along with real historical references draws you in and doesn’t let go。 The author is amazing at creating the characters and deftly moves us from one era to another。 It’s very long and likely could have been delivered a bit shorter but when I thought of this I knew I would have felt slighted。 Highly recommend this story but it’s wonderful via audible with two narrators。 So good！ 。。。more

Lauren ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Started but couldn't get past the sexual abuse Started but couldn't get past the sexual abuse 。。。more

Georgeann Gurkovich ，

BRILLIANT！！ A saga of amazing dimension and magnitude！！ I'm grateful and honored that I had the opportunity to devour this EXCELLENT novel that will， undoubtedly become a movie and a classic for many to enjoy。 Marion Graves is a woman who wanted to live HER life and developed a passion for flying at the age of 11 or 12。 Nothing came between her and her passion--not men who tried to control her， not obligations that society thrust on her， nor her love for her brother or a pity of an uncle， who di BRILLIANT！！ A saga of amazing dimension and magnitude！！ I'm grateful and honored that I had the opportunity to devour this EXCELLENT novel that will， undoubtedly become a movie and a classic for many to enjoy。 Marion Graves is a woman who wanted to live HER life and developed a passion for flying at the age of 11 or 12。 Nothing came between her and her passion--not men who tried to control her， not obligations that society thrust on her， nor her love for her brother or a pity of an uncle， who did take her and her brother in when they became orphans。 Well developed characters， multiple plot lines， and the parallel story of a modern day movie of Marian Graves' life were a few of the MANY reasons one should read this 589 page novel。 It was indeed ingenious！ Thank you Maggie Shipstead！！ I am honored to have lived this journey with Marian。 It seemed like she lived 1，000 lives in her one lifetime。 Amazing！ 👏👏👏 A novel of bravery and fortitude for our times！！ 。。。more

Virginia1209 ，

Extremely technical aviation material。 Interesting ending。

Leslie M。 Cann ，

Finally！！ This was a beast of a book。 Overall， mostly good but yet I wish parts of it were left out。 I loved the story of the main character of Marion Graves。 She was a female aviator during Prohibition times and World War II。 She and her twin brother raised themselves while living with a paternal uncle。 Through circumstances beyond their control， they survived the best they could。 I won’t get into too many details of the story， because that is my biggest complaint。 Too many details。 600+ pages Finally！！ This was a beast of a book。 Overall， mostly good but yet I wish parts of it were left out。 I loved the story of the main character of Marion Graves。 She was a female aviator during Prohibition times and World War II。 She and her twin brother raised themselves while living with a paternal uncle。 Through circumstances beyond their control， they survived the best they could。 I won’t get into too many details of the story， because that is my biggest complaint。 Too many details。 600+ pages of details。 I was drawn to the story by reading the jacket sleeve。 I thought it sounded so much like the story of a female pilot Beryl Markham and her story I read in high school， West With the Night。 If the book focused on Marion and left out the parts about a modern day narrative of Hollywood making a movie of her life， I think it would have been so much better。 I think so much was lost in the details。 。。。more

Dawn Borgeest ，

Aptly named， as the author writes in circles that， in my view， don't support the plot。 That said， buried in the 500-plus pages， is a compelling story - worth slogging through the choppy parts。 Aptly named， as the author writes in circles that， in my view， don't support the plot。 That said， buried in the 500-plus pages， is a compelling story - worth slogging through the choppy parts。 。。。more

Mary ，

3。5

Teri ，

I will give this book a four star but in truth， it is really a 3。5。 While I understand the plot device of two time periods， I did not care for the Hollywood one at all。 This is probably blasphemy， I also did not care for all the scenes that involve aviation。 It just bored me。 The first half of the book was much more interesting as Marion grew up in Montana， married， escaped， etc。 The peak of the book where she goes on her Great flying quest kept putting me to sleep。 Honestly there were no charac I will give this book a four star but in truth， it is really a 3。5。 While I understand the plot device of two time periods， I did not care for the Hollywood one at all。 This is probably blasphemy， I also did not care for all the scenes that involve aviation。 It just bored me。 The first half of the book was much more interesting as Marion grew up in Montana， married， escaped， etc。 The peak of the book where she goes on her Great flying quest kept putting me to sleep。 Honestly there were no characters that I really grew to love。 Marion was not very likable。 Caleb， the most likable of all， but continually drift back to her but I think that is due to their shared history and knowledge of each other in their brokenness。 Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more

Helen Caffrey ，

It is rare that I do not finish a book but I gave up on this at page 400。 I love historical fiction and I'm not afraid of a long book。 Read Hilary Mantel's trilogy and loved them。 This book started very well and the character development of Marion and her twin was very good。 The whole unfolding of this part of the story is lovely to read and beautifully written。 But it loses its way。 The modern day mirror story adds nothing to the overall and the addition of back stories for even the most extran It is rare that I do not finish a book but I gave up on this at page 400。 I love historical fiction and I'm not afraid of a long book。 Read Hilary Mantel's trilogy and loved them。 This book started very well and the character development of Marion and her twin was very good。 The whole unfolding of this part of the story is lovely to read and beautifully written。 But it loses its way。 The modern day mirror story adds nothing to the overall and the addition of back stories for even the most extraneous characters is frustrating。 Also the level of technical detail about flying has a 'Let me show you how much research I did' feel to it。 It jumped around too much and I just gave up caring about the characters。 It deserves three stars for the quality of the writing but this book badly needed an editor。 。。。more

Alexandra ，

I liked this book - such an interesting work of fiction that is laced with factual anecdotes。 The characters of Marian， Jamie， and Caleb will stay with me。 I especially loved the ending but I will say that this book dragged on in some areas。 It was a little too verbose with the piloting/flying details and I started to skim at the end therefore 4 stars instead of 5。

K。 ，

Ending was kind of disappointing， if I'm being honest。 I know how it was going to end for the pilot （view spoiler）[at least I thought I did （hide spoiler）]， but the actress didn't feel as complete。 I understood the ending to leave it open-ended and symbolic， but it didn't quite fit for me。 Ending was kind of disappointing， if I'm being honest。 I know how it was going to end for the pilot （view spoiler）[at least I thought I did （hide spoiler）]， but the actress didn't feel as complete。 I understood the ending to leave it open-ended and symbolic， but it didn't quite fit for me。 。。。more

Ann Singer-Clark ，

Although slow at times this was overall a great read。 The ending rounds it up to 5 stars as it was sooo good！

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Great Circle: The dazzling new novel for fans of THE GOLDFINCH

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Great Circle: The dazzling new novel for fans of THE GOLDFINCH&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Great Circle: The dazzling new novel for fans of THE GOLDFINCH&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0