Comments (42)

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1 to 25 of 42 items
May 26, 2023empuff rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Nothing compared to the real thing. Read Markham's autobiography, "West with the Night". Remarkable. Simply stunning, not only with the poetic prose, but with its insights into race, nature, and the human spirit. She doesn't dwell upon her…
Jun 18, 2022PetraL rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Beryl Markham's life in 1920's colonial Kenya is extraordinary. McLean brings her to life in this captivating tale.
May 11, 2022dissymissylessy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
it is well and good to have a female writer publishing about famous female personalities from the past. she should be encouraged. read her books (especially THE PARIS WIFE).
Feb 26, 2022
started at some point - not sure why I didn't finish
Dec 21, 2020lilypad_1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book and Beryl. Once again am thankful to have been born now, when women can work and be independent of men(white privilege and education). She was abandoned by her mother when she was 8 then her father basically abandoned her…
Jul 28, 2020tjdickey rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Historical fiction at its best, with a strong and compelling study of a pioneering woman aviator and race-horse trainer, living on the edges of gender, and race, and class, and relationship, and all the tensions of colonial East Africa.
Sep 27, 201969jerseygirl rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I loved the story of Beryl Markham, set in Kenya in the 1920's. This takes place in the time of Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen (Out of Africa). Beryl, raised by her father after her mother left at an early age, grew up in Africa,…
Jun 19, 2019PDBurt rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I read this about a year ago but didn't make a comment. In seeing it again, I remember what a great story it was, riveting and informative about horses and life in Kenya. I highly recommend it.
Apr 19, 2019JCLTiffanyR rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Paula McLain is at the top of her game in this work of historical fiction which looks at the life of pioneering aviatrix Beryl Markham. Beryl is a strong feminist figure and a woman who lived far before her time. When other women were…
Oct 26, 2018ryner rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A fluid and mesmerizing fictionalized biography of the very real Beryl Markham, who grew up in Kenya and became an exceptional horse trainer and a pioneering aviator, both unusual pursuits for a women of her time. As a reader I was…
Apr 18, 2018orange_lobster_23 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
This fictional biography of 1930's aviatrix/ horse trainer Beryl Markham tends to be a gossipy shadow of the memoir written by Beryl Markham, "West with the Night" (which was well written and more authentic). Abandoned by her mother (as…
Mar 07, 2018
Well-written and fascinating story about a real-life, adventurous woman who tested the boundaries of a male-dominated world both on the ground and in the air.
Feb 28, 2018SusanFlesher rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
By looking at other readers ratings I see this was a love it or hate it book. I loved it! I kept having to remind myself Beryl Markham was a real woman. And was she ever, with a "never give up" drive despite so many obsticles!
Jan 30, 2018opallisa rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Read instead Beryl's autobiography "West With the Night", more detailed about her childhood, so well written. I am not sure why "Circling the Sun" was even written. No where does it say 'historical fiction' so I thought it an awkward…
Jan 26, 2018ArapahoeAnnaL rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This well written historical novel takes place in Kenya in the early 20th century and is based on the life of Beryl Markham, a horse-trainer and early aviator. Her courage and determination to work and love to the limits of her ability…
Jul 30, 2017cakerocks rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I love Markham's short stories but this novel was just shallow and overly detailed. Disappointed.
Dec 14, 2016ehbooklover rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A well written, and ultra-interesting book about a woman who was way before her time. I couldn't put this one down due to the wonderfully flawed and complicated protagonist and the beautifully described setting. UPDATE: Read this again for…
Estha
Oct 27, 2016Estha rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Novelized account of Beryl Markham's early years, and a glimpse of the white "settlers' life" in Kenya, 1900-1920's. The details of growing up and the Kenyan countryside are best. Disappointingly the story gets hung up on her infatuation…
Oct 03, 2016PinesandPrejudice rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I had no idea Beryl was a real person. This made this story so much better. I related to her character so much and loved hearing about Kenya during this time in the 20th century. A great read!
Aug 17, 2016xiaojunbpl12 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Try to be less partial (towards Beryl) as not to give 5 star. The book make "Out of Africa" lackluster. With my immediate flush faded and moving on to read other genre, the analytical part of me kicked in. Brutality of horse racing…
Aug 08, 2016beckyjreimer rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent book!
Aug 08, 2016Amyode2 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved McLain's other novel, The Paris Wife, so I thought I would give this one a go. Did not disappoint.
Jun 28, 2016ontherideau rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Biographical fiction based on the life of Beryl Markham. The British position of privilege held Africa in the 1920's is interesting in itself. Paula McLain is a story teller. My favorite turn of phrase is the description of ostriches…
Mar 12, 2016ehbooklover rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A well written, and ultra-interesting book about a woman who was way before her time. I couldn't put this one down due to the wonderfully flawed and complicated protagonist and the beautifully described setting. The perfect book to read…
Jan 27, 2016Reads_A_Lot rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Picked this up because I liked the premise of a young girl overcoming her mother leaving her and being raised in Africa to become a horse trainer. Had never heard of Beryl Markham before this book and did not realize that her life…