Circling the Sun

A Novel

By: Paula McLain

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR, BOOKPAGE, AND SHELF AWARENESS

“Paula McLain is considered the new star of historical fiction, and for good reason. Fans of The Paris Wife will be captivated by Circling the Sun, which . . . is both beautifully written and utterly engrossing.”—Ann Patchett, Country Living

This powerful novel transports listeners to the breathtaking world of Out of Africa—1920s Kenya—and reveals the extraordinary adventures of Beryl Markham, a woman before her time. Brought to Kenya from England by pioneering parents dreaming of a new life on an African farm, Beryl is raised unconventionally, developing a fierce will and a love of all things wild. But after everything she knows and trusts dissolves, headstrong young Beryl is flung into a string of disastrous relationships, then becomes caught up in a passionate love triangle with the irresistible safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and the writer Baroness Karen Blixen. Brave and audacious and contradictory, Beryl will risk everything to have Denys’s love, but it’s ultimately her own heart she must conquer to embrace her true calling and her destiny: to fly.

©2015 Paula McLain (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Paula McLain cements herself as the writer of historical fictional memoir with Circling the Sun, giving vivid voice to Beryl Markham, a singular, extraordinary woman. In McLain’s confident hands, Markham crackles to life, and we readers truly understand what made a woman so far ahead of her time believe she had the power to soar.”—Jodi Picoult, author of Leaving Time

“Richly textured . . . Markham’s life is the stuff of legend. . . . McLain has created a voice that is lush and intricate to evoke a character who is enviably brave and independent.”—NPR

“Bold, absorbing fiction.”—New York Daily News

A full life

This is a very interesting story that takes the reader on a visual journey through the life of a young girl who grows to be a woman not afraid to stand out to accomplish what woman didn't attempt almost a century ago. Well presented.

Superlative!

I'm difficult to impress. I have more than 500 titles in my Audible library and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. Paula McLain has created a beautifully written epic with flawed characters that are so like ourselves we can't help but be captivated. This made me want to reread Out of Africa -- heck-- it made me want to run away to Kenya, race horses, learn to fly and chase handsome men around the continent. Luckily, Beryl Markham did all those things in her remarkable lifetime and more. Katherine McEwan did a breathtaking job of bringing it all to life. Can't say enough about this one. Don't miss it!

One of my ALL time favorites

Fabulously written !!

Beautifully read!

A Must to get on Audible!

I LOVED IT and you will too

A Woman for the Ages

Would you listen to Circling the Sun again? Why?

Yes! I loved the sweeping grandeur of this story. I felt as if I was right there in Kenya with the narrator whispering at my ear. I loved the breathtaking description of the pastoral landscapes and the bustle of 20th century Nairobi.

Have you listened to any of Katharine McEwan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes! I loved her book about Hemingway and his wife and felt that this was equally good if not better because Beryl Markham is a personal heroine of mine. I might have enjoyed this story more because my spirit seems to resonate more closely with Markham.

Beautiful narration

Enjoyed listening to this story very much. Interesting story with lovely descriptions of life in Colonial Africa.

Faithful portrayal of colonial Africa in the 1920s

Would you listen to Circling the Sun again? Why?

I will definitely listen again to Circling the Sun, I found the book a fascinating and faithful portrayal of British colonialists in East Africa in the 1920s. I lived in East and West Africa in the late 60s and early 70s and could easily relate to many of the things described in the book.Although it describes the colonial settlement of East Africa in the 1920s, the main theme of the book is freedom, More specifically, freedom from the expectations, constraints and moeurs of the society of British colonists who settled Kenya. The book wonderfully contrasts the life of the colonists trying to re-create a little England with the lifestyle of the local tribes.The theme of freedom runs through every chapter. It is expressed in Beryl's behavior, her beliefs, her conversation, her need to constantly challenge everyone and everything, She flaunts propriety and dedicates herself first and foremost to the riding and training of race horses.Beryl, the main character, struggles constantly against all social constraints. Her only wish is to live independently as a free spirit. Against all odds she becomes the first woman trainer of race horses in Kenya, destroying her two marriages along the way. In the first half of the book we can sympathize with Beryl who was abandoned by her mother at four years old, We can admire her drive, her resolve and determination, but as the book proceeds she appears more andmore as a selfish, egocentric woman, unwilling to compromise with anyone and Insensitive to the needs of people around her. The author dispensed with Beryl's mother in the first couple of chapters but later brought her back into the story without role or purpose. An unnecessary appendage. There was no emotional reunion or contact, nothing important that added to or changed the story.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The story could be shorter and less repetitious and still achieve a good result. My only criticism is that the author has a penchant for frequent repetition of some descriptive phrases which become a bit redundant and detract from the descriptive and emotive effect.

What does Katharine McEwan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator, Katherine McEwan, delivered an impeccable performance. I will certainly seek her out for whatever else she may have narrated. She's one of the best narrators that I've listened to. The narration is almost as important as the book. I have returned books only because I couldn't stand the voice of the narrator. She is great!

Who was the most memorable character of Circling the Sun and why?

Beryl, the main character

Any additional comments?

I can't say the book increased my interest in the subject matter, but I can say that it showed me an earlier view of colonial Africa which I lived 50 years later. It didn't change significantly in those 50 years except for the clothes, furniture and champagne!

Story of a Complex Woman

I waited anxiously trying to figure out how the introduction of the story related to life of the main character. This was a woman of such varied interests and experiences, who was way ahead of her time. Needy, yet independent, feminine, yet shying from appearing so, she is a character worth studying.

stayed up all night listening

This book captured a great spirited woman who had done more with her life , in tough times then one could imagine for the Era. Bravo to Markam, the story writer McLain, and the reader Ewan who kept me thoroughly entertained

Outstanding! Exhibilarating

If you could sum up Circling the Sun in three words, what would they be?

Great Writing, Fantastic Reading, Fascinating Heroine, True Story

What did you like best about this story?

Honest depiction of a multi-faceted incredible human being.

What does Katharine McEwan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Its hard to explain... but she gave so much life and humanity to Beryl. Her youthful voice and versatility added to much to the telling of this wonderful story.

If you could take any character from Circling the Sun out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Beryl, and I would try to get her to open up to me, to explain some of her choices.

Any additional comments?

It took me a while to get into this book - persevere, its worth it!

Excellent in All Ways

What made the experience of listening to Circling the Sun the most enjoyable?

Excellent narrator. Excellent story line. Everything about this book was EXCELLENT. There was a definite progression of story line, a lot of interesting information, descriptions are wonderful. Story carries the reader --I enjoyed this book from start to finish

Who was your favorite character and why?

All characters great.

Which scene was your favorite?

all

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

too long for one visit