The New York Times bestseller
As a young girl, Beryl Markham was brought to Kenya from Britain by parents dreaming of a new life. For her mother, the dream quickly turned sour, and she returned home; Beryl was brought up by her father, who switched between indulgence and heavy-handed authority, allowing her first to run wild on their farm, then incarcerating her in the classroom. The scourge of governesses and serial absconder from boarding school, by the age of sixteen Beryl had been catapulted into a disastrous marriage - but it was in facing up to this reality that she took charge of her own destiny.
Scandalizing high society with her errant behaviour, she left her husband and became the first woman ever to hold a professional racehorse trainer's licence. After falling in with the notoriously hedonistic and gin-soaked Happy Valley set, Beryl soon became embroiled in a complex love triangle with the writer Karen Blixen and big game-hunter Denys Finch Hatton (immortalized in Blixen's memoir Out of Africa). It was this unhappy affair which set tragedy in motion, while awakening Beryl to her truest self, and to her fate: to fly.
In Circling the Sun I was expecting more Meryl than Beryl. Perhaps this was due to the mention of Karen Blixen. Instead, I received a mix of Out of Africa and Seabiscuit.
I thought the focus on Beryl's love of horses was interesting and was glad that it did not deviate too far into her love life. I also enjoyed Paula McLain's writing. She was so descriptive and in touch with Beryl, that I could clearly feel her emotions upon losing her husband or the joy she felt while riding one of her beloved horses.
I did listen to part of this on audio and I was captivated by Katharine McEwan's storytelling. I felt her interpretation enhanced the richness of the novel and could see myself listening to more books read by her.
Despite having The Paris Wife on my shelf for over two years, Circling the Sun was my first foray with Paula McLain and hope to renew the acquaintance soon.
This review was originally posted on First Impressions Reviews
Reading updates
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Started reading
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23 August, 2017:
Finished reading
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23 August, 2017:
Reviewed