August 2015

I loved THE PARIS WIFE and thus eagerly anticipated Paula McLain’s new novel. I am happy to share that I feel the same way about CIRCLING THE SUN, which has Paula’s signature writing style --- it informs, engages and entertains. I received an early edition back in February, which had no flap description copy to orient me. I did no research about the book in advance and instead just started reading. I settled into the story of Beryl Markham, who grew up in Britain but moved to Africa as a young child. She is an accomplished horsewoman, aviator and adventurer.

Ex-pats living in Africa at that time lived freely; they were avant garde and wildly interesting as they pursued their passions for horses, game, flying, farming and life.

The story swells and rolls with equal parts passion and drama. Paula clearly loved the character of Beryl, who she discovered after reading her book, WEST WITH THE NIGHT. It inspired Paula to want to know more about this woman. The more she read, the more she was intrigued by Beryl --- and it shows as she has created a very vivid picture of her.

Unlike many authors who travel to do research before a book comes out, Paula did not go to Africa until after the book was completed. She then spent two weeks visiting places that were pivotal to Beryl's life. I saw her in March, and she shared a story about being in the house that Beryl's father had built for her, and how she was transported by place and time by being there.

To give this story a bit of spice, Beryl was close friends with Karen Blixen, the writer, and Denys Finch Hatton, the English big game hunter, and they are key characters in this book. Both Beryl and Karen had love affairs with Denys. Note that Karen and Denys were portrayed in the movie Out of Africa, which I am planning to rent to explore more about the time period. Also note that Beryl was not portrayed in that movie, nor was she in the book. And Karen had no place in Beryl's book, either. Such a juicy tidbit, eh? Book groups are going to love this one!