Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Rating: 4.9

Despite enjoying McLain's previous book, The Paris Wife, having read Beryl Markham's original book West With The Night, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book for two reasons:
1. West With the Night was so poetic
2. The Paris Wife (McLain's previous novel) was so well written

Both of the above made me wonder how McLain could possibly top that. Well, she did it phenomenally well.  

This was poetic without being over the top and she captured Africa and the amazing adventure that was Markham's life so well. I was riveted and didn't want it to end.  Markham was an amazing women and even more so for having lived her life in the early 1900's - definitely a woman before her time. I think Paula McLain did amazing justice in capturing all of it.  Strongly recommend.

8 comments:

  1. jeanaJuly 22, 2015 at 5:44 AM

    Back to back good books! I added this to my library list. Thanks.

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    1. Elle Is For LivingJuly 22, 2015 at 12:19 PM

      I love back to back good books :-) I got my copy of this book through netgalley.com

      Delete
  2. jeanaJuly 23, 2015 at 4:47 AM

    I just started reading An Untamed State. I have heard so many good things and it was on Bookmarks Best of 2014 list. Have you read?

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    1. Elle Is For LivingJuly 23, 2015 at 7:14 PM

      I had to go look as the title sounded so familiar but the description doesn't so "no" I don't think I have read it. I am putting it on my library holds right now so let me know if you don't like it. Thanks Jeana. xoxo

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    2. Elle Is For LivingJuly 23, 2015 at 7:15 PM

      My library doesn't have it on kindle, which is why I have never read it! Did you buy your copy?

      Delete
  3. jeanaJuly 23, 2015 at 8:01 PM

    No, I got it from the library, it i out in paperback though. My library finally bought it this spring. I have been on the wait list for a couple of months. It is very fast paced and I am really engaged. You should know that parts of it are very difficult to read. It is an important story though, I think it is loosely based on true story/stories from Haiti. Alos, Missoula came in at the same time so i guess I will be reading back to back difficult stories.
    Jeana

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    1. Elle Is For LivingJuly 28, 2015 at 7:25 PM

      My library doesn't carry it :-( I got the free sample from Amazon and based on that and your review, I may buy it.

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    2. jeanaJuly 29, 2015 at 4:09 PM

      Hi Elle,
      I finished this a few days ago. It was difficult but I am glad that I read. There are graphic rape scenes that will not be for everyone but I think it is a powerful story that I believe based on a true story.

      Jeana

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