Book Review
This book, written by the author of The Paris Wife, is fabulous historic fiction. I was sad when it was over, and can't wait to dicuss it with my book clubs.
Main character Beryl Markham was (really) a record breaking (1936) transatlantic pilot and the first English woman to be licensed as a race horse trainer.
Beryl grew up in Africa, learning horse training at her father's knee. She was raised without a mother present, and from a young age, ran with the local tribesmen and their children, Swahili her first language. Governesses and boarding schools could not tame her.
Beryl Markham wrote a book about her life entitled West With the Night, which was the inspiration for Paula McLain's fictional interpretation of her life. The author has done a great job telling the story of Markham's unconventional, adventuresome life, creating a page turning story about horse racing, flying, love and lust.
It may remind you of Out of Africa, in a good way.
I highly recommend Circling The Sun by Paula McLain, due out in hardcover July 28.