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

The Journey of a Lifetime

The writer & reader of The Aviator's Wife allowed me to leave my world and fly with the Lindbergs. They carried me with them where ever they went throughout the world. It was truly the journey of a lifetime.

Excellent historical novel.

Listened intently to every story that made up the life and times of Anne and Charles.

Enticing story performed exceptionally.

I loved listening to Lorna's voice as Ann Lindbergh! She brought her alive! I now wish to read some of Ann's works!

The Story of a Marriage

Any additional comments?

This is the tale of two deeply flawed people, told from the viewpoint of one of them: Anne Morrow Lindbergh. And, it must be remembered, it is a novel, not a biography. Anne would not have felt that her own affair was in the same class as Lindbergh's -- why should it be expected that she would be objective about such a subject? I am sure Lindbergh married Anne because he needed an acolyte to make him feel more secure; repeatedly it is stressed that he only felt really comfortable tinkering with his planes and flying solo. He was uneasy with people. Anne, on the other hand, was, by her own admission, plain, gawky, and shy, and was thrilled that such a celebrity wanted her. Even on their pioneering air trips, she was his "crew", not his "co-pilot". He bolstered his own self-confidence by constantly "teaching" her, attempting to control all aspects of her life, and making sure she was grateful to him for it all. It took her a while, but she does describe him, after years, as a bully -- and bullies are always afraid of their own inadequacies.

Neither was prepared for the celebrity, which was less common back then [I find myself reminded of Prince Charles and Diana, although the Prince was raised to be a celebrity], with its concomittant complete loss of privacy [although, during the time they lived out of the limelight in Germany, they actually found the cessation of publicity also difficult to live with], and for parenthood -- or for the tragedy they suffered. When you think of it, it was quite remarkable that Anne managed to surmount the pressures on her to the extent she did.

Lindbergh's social attitudes, it has to be remembered, were not extreme for his time. There was a general assumption that the "white races" represented the best in civilization, and there was a pervasive attitude that Jews were "different". [Just look at an author like Dorothy L. Sayers for her "genteel" anti-semitism, btw]. Politically, he was by no means the only naif of the period, but his pronouncements carried weight because he was in the public eye. It is hard for us now to remember just how much has changed in the past 60+ years.

A number of reviewers did not like Ms. Raver's narration. I found it very good, precisely because her voice is that of a mature woman, and because she is capable of emotion. Neither did I find the book overwritten. The sense of time and place is well-created; the personalities of both Lindberghs are well-delineated, with all their warts. It is difficult to make dysfunctional people [and relationships] believeable but Ms. Benjamin does so. In my opinion, this is one of the best books I have listened to recently.

Overall, an interesting novel

Would you listen to The Aviator's Wife again? Why?

I would not listen to it again. I seldom listen to books twice. However, I am glad I listened to it the first time.

Which scene was your favorite?

The kidnapping of their son, Charlie, and the events that surrounded it.

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

Anne would have to be the most memorable character. Her development into a stronger woman throughout the story made her more likable.

Any additional comments?

If you are on the fence about listening to this novel, go ahead and try it. I seldom give any book a 5.

Fascinating story behind the story!

I found the character too 'woe is me' initially but it was worth persevering. I enjoyed the author's notes at the end which allow one to discern fact from fiction.

Way too long.

Good lord this book DRAGGED on.
Overall, it was fine. Interesting enough I guess. But seriously could have been 5 hours and I would have gotten all the pertinent facts I needed. It dragged and I finally increased the speed to finally finish it.

Lots to learn about the LIndberghs!

Would you listen to The Aviator's Wife again? Why?

No. The narrator's voice did not appeal to me; it did not seem to fit with the character of Anne Morrow LIndbergh to me.

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

Nancy Horan's book, Loving Frank - historical fiction with good research and insight into true lives.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Tone and voice. I had an entirely different experience when I read it in print.

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

Anne - it's her story

Interesting based on history

Would you listen to The Aviator's Wife again? Why?

No although it was well written it's not the kind of book I would listen to a second time

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the historical nature of the story

What about Lorna Raver’s performance did you like?

The cadence was very good

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

The Lindberg kidnapping was very sad

Any additional comments?

there were many historical facts I was not aware of

Enlightening

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

Engaging; enlightening; good

What did you like best about this story?

I never knew much about Anne Morrow Lindbergh; this novel gives an insight into her life with Charles. Very good listen. Enjoyed from the very first.

What about Lorna Raver’s performance did you like?

Good performance.