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60 pages 2 hours read

Maggie Shipstead

Great Circle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead weaves together the stories of Marian Graves, a pioneering aviator attempting to fly over both Poles in the mid-20th century, and Hadley Baxter, an actor in the modern day exploring Marian’s life for a biographical film. Themes include abandonment, suicide, emotional abuse, and spousal abuse.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Maggie Shipstead’s Great Circle is widely praised for its ambitious scope and richly detailed narrative. Reviewers commend its intricate plotting and vivid character development, especially the portrayal of protagonist Marian. However, some find its length and pacing challenging. Overall, it's an engaging and immersive read with compelling historical depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Great Circle?

Readers who enjoy expansive, multi-generational sagas like All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah will be captivated by Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. Its blend of historical fiction, compelling characters, and rich, narrative depth appeals to those who appreciate intricately woven, atmospheric storytelling.

Book Details
Pages

608

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Various locations • 20th century

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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