by Paula McLain

(Review)

Circling the Sun is a novel based on the true story of Beryl Markham, a young woman from England. She achieved the feat of becoming the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west.

The book depicts life in colonial Africa during the 1920s, and it particularly focuses on the Kenyan community, where the story’s main character, resides. The novel revolves around Beryl’s adventurous life and the circumstances that make her an exceptional woman who cherishes her freedom above everything else.

“We are all afraid of many things, but if you make yourself small and let fear define you, then you are not your boss at all, are you? The real dilemma is whether or not you will take the risk and do whatever it takes you to be happy.”

Beryl was brought up in colonial Kenya and refused to conform to the expectations of a proper young lady. As an adult, she pursued her passion for horse training and aviation, paving the way for women in those fields. She defies the societal norms of her time, where women have limited or no opportunities to live independently. Beryl yearned for a world where she belonged and nowhere else.

“Maybe that’s the secret to surviving when you’re going through all kinds of trouble—knowing who you really are…”

Overall, “Circling the Sun” is a compelling fictional, and love story that intertwines Beryl’s life with the harsh realities of colonial Africa: colonialism, greed, perversion and selfishness of the wealthy spoiled people.

“We can only go to our limit – at least that’s what I’ve learned. Anything beyond this limit makes us give way too much of ourselves. And then we’re no good for anyone.”

https://www.goodreads.com/

Love, Manuela

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