The Aviator's Wife

A Novel

By: Melanie Benjamin

Narrated by: Lorna Raver

Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

In the spirit of Loving Frank and The Paris Wife, acclaimed novelist Melanie Benjamin pulls back the curtain on the marriage of one of America’s most extraordinary couples: Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.

Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements - she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States - Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness.

Drawing on the rich history of the twentieth century - from the late twenties to the mid-sixties - and featuring cameos from such notable characters as Joseph Kennedy and Amelia Earhart, The Aviator’s Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage - revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. With stunning power and grace, Melanie Benjamin provides new insight into what made this remarkable relationship endure.

©2013 Melanie Benjamin (P)2013 Random House Audio

Good book read by wrong narrator

So disappointed in this audiobook ! It would have been such an interesting listening experience with a different narrator. Lorna Raver sounds much too old and gives an overly dramatic (almost melodramatic) reading to much of the story. I almost gave up because the narration was so grating.

Hard to witness her putting up with him

This was hard to read because of who he was more than anything else. It’s an interesting story and I think the author did a good job of researching their lives and making it interesting. I wish they had used a different narrator. Well she sounded very accurate towards the end of the book, she did not sound like a young and Lindburg at the beginning of the book. She sounded more like a prime and proper lady in her 70s, but did not sound like a 20-year-old at all. I just can’t say I enjoyed it. I’m glad I know the story, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

A slow build but ultimately a Captivating Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was not of that generation so only knew of the Lindburgh history as the 2 main events: transatlantic flight and kidnapping. This story beautifully captures the complex and flawed american hero. More importantly the story of his crew and wife Anne Morrow. Her story draws you in.

What aspect of Lorna Raver’s performance would you have changed?

In the beginning, I found the tone of her voice to be a bit grating. As I got deeper into the story line, it was less bothersome.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Anne's growing self sufficiency and growing strength as Charles became more and more absent from their home after the war.

Fresh new perspective

While I was somewhat familiar with the life of Charles Lindbergh, I did not realize the extent of Anne's roll in the life of Charles or aviation. I especially appreciated the personal feel that Ms. Benjamin conveyed. I like Historical fiction because it takes events and makes them real and possible for the reader to relate.

Lindburgh Fascination

If you could sum up The Aviator's Wife in three words, what would they be?

A Brave Lady

What other book might you compare The Aviator's Wife to and why?

Any autobiography. The truth is so hard to accept when you see someone in Hero Status.

Which scene was your favorite?

The conversation between Schwarzkopf and Ann about how to handle Charles during the kidnapping incident.

If you could take any character from The Aviator's Wife out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Ann. She was an amazing lady with so much class.

Any additional comments?

My hero worshiping of Charles went into the toilet when I found out he has 3 totally seperate family's in Germany, while he treated Ann so coldly & uncaring without any emotional support. I went down the Road To Hana in Maui just to see his graveside. Yes, it was beautiful and I thought, Good for you Ann for having a say in where you want to be buried. Certainly not with him!!!

Interesting history but tone of book was too whiny.

Fun to hear about the Lindbergs, but thought the tone of the book was too whiny. The reader was way too old. It should have been someone with a more neutral voice. I came close to quitting a few times.

Delve into the life of this fascinating couple.

Where does The Aviator's Wife rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High on my list

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ann, of course.

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole book piqued my interest to know more about them.

Who was the most memorable character of The Aviator's Wife and why?

Charles is the more memorable but for all the wrong reasons....his secrecy being the main one.

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth listening to.

The Aviator's Wife: A Novel.

I thought this book was too dramatic and had too much information. I question if the information regarding his "extra" lives should have been revealed. Ann and Charles said they would not reveal this. After all, I am sure there are at least grandchildren still alive.

Wonderful story !

This has been one of the summer's most interesting reads or "listens" if you prefer. A wonderful look into a woman's role as wife, mother and companion of a "headliner" husband and her possible reactions to the life it demanded.

I will certainly seek out other books by this author and narrator.

Aviator's Wife

Interesting story.
I did not care for the narrator's voice. It sounded like an old woman and I looked it up and it was.
Not that an older woman's voice is bad it's just she was supposed to be a young woman through most of the book but she had this scratch older lady's voice. It didn't sound good on my ears. It was annoying.