The Aviator's Wife

A Novel

By: Melanie Benjamin

Narrated by: Lorna Raver

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.

“The history [is] exhilarating. . . . The Aviator’s Wife soars.”—USA Today

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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 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.

Praise for The Aviator’s Wife

“Remarkable . . . The Aviator’s Wife succeeds [in] putting the reader inside Anne Lindbergh’s life with her famous husband.”—The Denver Post

“Anne Morrow Lindbergh narrates the story of the Lindberghs’ troubled marriage in all its triumph and tragedy.”—USA Today

“[This novel] will fascinate history buffs and surprise those who know of her only as ‘the aviator’s wife.’ ”—People

“It’s hard to quit reading this intimate historical fiction.”—The Dallas Morning News

“Fictional biography at its finest.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Utterly unforgettable.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An intimate examination of the life and emotional mettle of Anne Morrow.”—The Washington Post

“A story of both triumph and pain that will take your breath away.”—Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker

Critic reviews

“The history is exhilarating. . . . The Aviator’s Wife soars. . . . Anne Morrow Lindbergh narrates the story of the Lindberghs’ troubled marriage in all its triumph and tragedy.”—USA Today

“Remarkable . . . The Aviator’s Wife succeeds [in] putting the reader inside Anne Lindbergh’s life with her famous husband.”—The Denver Post

“[This novel] will fascinate history buffs and surprise those who know of her only as ‘the aviator’s wife.’ ”—People

“It’s hard to quit reading this intimate historical fiction.”—The Dallas Morning News

“Fictional biography at its finest.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Utterly unforgettable.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An intimate examination of the life and emotional mettle of Anne Morrow.”—The Washington Post

“A story of both triumph and pain that will take your breath away.”—Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker

“Melanie Benjamin inhabits Anne Morrow Lindbergh completely, freeing her from the shadows of her husband’s stratospheric fame.”—Isabel Wolff, author of A Vintage Affair

Great story, Insightful

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

Yes, the story telling was done so well, so filled with emotion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Aviator's Wife?

It was the kidnapping of thier first born. I felt her anguish, her fear and all of the raw emotions a mother would feel for her baby.

Get to Know Anne!

What did you love best about The Aviator's Wife?

One of my favorite books is Anne's Gift from the Sea. I've given it many times to friends. This historical novel really opened my eyes about the challenges of her life and her dreams and gave me quite a different context for her own novel. A must read, but if you don't know a lot about the Lindberghs, be prepared for some surprises. Love how strong this woman was, through it all.

Couldn't shut it off!

Really good book -- I knew very little about the Lindberghs so it was a wonderful journey to learn about Charles and Anne. Very well written -- will look for other books by this author now. My only complaint was the narrator -- she seemed just plain old tired.

Historical Fiction at it's best.

At the end of the book, Melanie Benjamin says that the purpose of historical fiction is to pique the reader's interest to find out more about the subject. This book did that. She referenced a biography by Susan Hertog about Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I listened to that book immediately after this one, wanting to know more. Benjamin borrows heavily on the facts in Hertog's biography. Skip Hertog's book, knowing that Benjamin has the facts correct but adds the color in just the right hue and amount to accomplish her goal. I learned much about the Lindberg's and the history of the U.S. and Europe at the time but became totally immersed in the actual story. Great book. I still want to know more so Reeve Lindbergh's books about her mother, are on my reading list now.

quite the insight

even knowing this was a novel, it was a riveting story. excellent to listen to......reader was superb.

absolutely awesome

I was glued to this book. Being a female aviator myself, I thoroughly enjoyed reading/ listening about Anne Lindbergh. I was so intrigued by this book that while I was listening to it, I ended up looking up more in formation about the family. It's too bad Lindbergh himself turned out to be a bit of a strange bird. I am sure all his children had some issues with the affairs and additional unknown siblings. Overall, I really loved this book.

Haven’t enjoyed a historical novel as much as this!

This story was so compelling, so well told and so well narrated! I am not able to decide what about this book I like best. The brutal honesty of the damage fame and it’s surroundings can be. The tragedy of truth behind the scenes. The heartbreaking emotions and its destructiveness. This author is so very good at moving the story forward with finesse. I love everything about the raw details of the Lindbergh’s story.

Incredible Story

I’m well into the story and will continue but the narrative is awful!!!! With so many great narrators… why doesn’t the author realize what listeners want!

Interesting perspective on lindbergh

The story was interesting, but I felt the narrator could have been younger. Overall it was good.

Revelations about Lindbergh!

I truly was not aware of the man behind the fame. It’s given me a different perspective on his life as well as to lose respect for him. Glad I stayed with this book to the end. The reader was difficult to listen to, the vocal inflections were annoying at times.