Circling the Sun

Circling the Sun tells the story of Beryl Markham, a real-life aviator and horse trainer who grew up in colonial Kenya in the early 1900s. After being abandoned by her mother at age four, Beryl is raised by her father on their horse farm, where she develops an uncommon independence and affinity for the African landscape. The narrative follows Beryl's path from her unconventional childhood through her career as the first licensed female horse trainer in Africa and her later achievements in aviation. Her personal life intersects with those of Karen Blixen and Denys Finch Hatton, fellow members of Kenya's small expatriate community, leading to both close friendships and complicated romantic entanglements. Through the lens of historical fiction, McLain captures both the wild beauty of colonial Kenya and the social constraints placed on women of that era. The book examines themes of identity, belonging, and the tension between freedom and convention through one woman's determination to chart her own course.

Readers appreciate McLain's portrayal of 1920s Kenya and her research into Beryl Markham's life, with many noting the rich descriptions of the African landscape and colonial society. The complex relationships and Markham's determination resonated with book clubs and historical fiction fans. Common praise: - Detailed depiction of colonial Africa - Strong female protagonist breaking barriers - Authentic period details and dialogue Common criticism: - Too much focus on romance over aviation - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found Markham unsympathetic - Several readers preferred Markham's own memoir "West with the Night" One reader noted: "McLain captures the wild spirit of Kenya but gets lost in the love triangles." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (87,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (900+ ratings) The book received more positive reviews from readers seeking historical romance than those expecting an aviation biography.

Out of Africa by Karen Blixen The memoir of a Danish woman running a coffee plantation in colonial Kenya documents the same time period, place, and social circles as Beryl Markham's story.

West with the Night by Beryl Markham The autobiography of the real Beryl Markham presents her experiences in colonial Africa and pioneering aviation career in her own words.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain This biographical novel chronicles Ernest Hemingway's first wife Hadley Richardson in 1920s Paris, capturing the same themes of a strong woman navigating unconventional choices in a male-dominated era.

Beautiful Exiles by Meg Waite Clayton The story follows war correspondent Martha Gellhorn through her relationship with Ernest Hemingway, depicting another boundary-breaking woman who carved her path in a man's world.

The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer This biographical novel follows photographer Lee Miller from model to artist in 1930s Paris, chronicling another historical woman who defied society's limitations to pursue her passion.

🌍 Paula McLain spent two years extensively researching Beryl Markham's life, including traveling to Kenya to walk the grounds of her childhood home and trace her footsteps through Nairobi. ✈️ The real Beryl Markham was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west, a more challenging direction due to headwinds. 🐎 Before becoming a pioneering aviator, Markham was the first licensed female horse trainer in Kenya and trained six Kenya Derby winners. 💌 Karen Blixen (who wrote Out of Africa under the pen name Isak Dinesen) and Beryl Markham were both romantically involved with the same man, Denys Finch Hatton. 📝 The book's title "Circling the Sun" refers not only to Markham's aviation feats but also to her lifelong pattern of orbiting around powerful personalities while maintaining her independence.