McLain, Paula. Circling the Sun. New York: Ballantine, 2015.

I snuck in a bit of summer just a tad early this year and read an adult book. When I saw this, I couldn't resist.

So this is definitely not a long narrative poem, but I sort of just kept thinking epic as I made my way through this factionalized account of Beryl Markham's life. Set primarily in Africa and for a bit in London, we are introduced to Africa which very nearly functions as a character of its own when Beryl is just a tot. Her first of what seems like many profound losses occurs at age 4 with the leaving of her mother who returns to England with her brother letting her behind her to be raised on her father's horse farm. She grows up free, a tomboy, who inherits her fathers ease with training horses and channels her loss into great independence and strength. After choosing the wrong man to marry at age 19 when her father is leaving her and her precious farm, Beryl forges ahead to become the first certified trainer in Africa. Unhappy in her marriage she pushes hard for independence,, which she learns is not exactly the same as freedom, in the simultaneously liberal and unforgiving African culture of the 1920s. These early trials and triumphs shape her into the largely controversial woman she would become. The woman who ultimately becomes one of the first women pilots and makes a record breaking flight across the Atlantic.

I didn't always love or admire Beryl. I can't pinpoint exactly why, but I love that McLain portrayed her n such a painfully honest way that allowed us to see her faults and all. her losses make her tough; perhaps I am uncomfortable with her because I am not that tough. Yet I can admire her just the same. I wish I had more courage to go for my dreams. She makes decisions that are hurtful to others as well as herself. We all do, and she is making big decisions all on her own at a time when most young adults are still under the care of parents. And how she does learn. She accepts the consequences for all of her actions in a refreshing way. She grows and moves on in ways that many couldn't. And that I admire.

I also come to admire her Africa of the 1920s as well. Oddly, as I did some reading about Markham's and her friends in Africa the most often drawn comparisons was to Out of Africa . I didn't love that movie and haven't tried the books, so I am happy to be drawn to the setting so much through McLain's descriptions. I have already added Markham's memoir and Out of Africa to my wish list. And I love reading more about the 1920s. This title certainly rounds out my impressions based primarily on The Great Gatsby and The Paris wife.

A solid read - adventure, romance, history. Well developed characters and a powerful and lovely setting. Motifs of love and loss. I picked this up because I so enjoyed The Paris Wife and I'm glad I did. Thanks to Net Galley for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.