Book: Great Circle
| Maggie Shipstead | 2021 |
"Great Circle" by Maggie Shipstead is an expansive and intricately woven narrative that spans the early 20th century to the present day, blending the lives of two compelling protagonists. At its heart is Marian Graves, an intrepid aviator driven by an insatiable desire to circumnavigate the globe from pole to pole—a journey fraught with challenges and adventure that marks her as a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of aviation. Parallel to Marian’s epic story is that of Hadley Baxter, a modern-day Hollywood starlet chosen to portray Marian in a biopic. Hadley's exploration into Marian's life becomes a journey of self-discovery as she reconciles her own public persona with inner truths. The novel deftly captures the spirit of exploration, the quest for freedom, and the complexities of identity. Shipstead’s rich prose navigates themes of ambition, love, and destiny, crafting a narrative that is both grand in scale and deeply personal. "Great Circle" invites readers to reflect on the profound connections between past and present, and the enduring human spirit's call to adventure.