Book Review: Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Dive into the wild world of Beryl Markham in Circling the Sun. It’s a vivid, drama-filled journey through colonial Kenya, by author Paula McLain.

Take a journey through colonial Kenya in Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun. This novel dives into the early life of Beryl Markham before she became a legendary aviator. McLain’s writing is so vivid readers feel like they’re sitting under the African sun. Just lazily sitting under a tree, soaking in all the scenery as they read page after page. It’s true that the story hits a few slow patches, but it’s worth reading if you’re into epic adventures in exotic places. Learn more about Circling the Sun and why I gave it three out of five stars.

What is the book about?

Brought to Kenya from England as a child and then abandoned by her mother, Beryl Markham is raised by her father and the native Kipsigis tribe, who share his estate. Her unconventional upbringing transforms Beryl into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of nature’s delicate balance. But even the wild child must grow up, and when everything Beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships. Beryl forges her path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the Happy Valley set, a decadent, bohemian community of European expats who also live and love by their own set of rules. But it’s the ruggedly charismatic Denys Finch Hatton who ultimately helps Beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. The intensity of their love reveals Beryl’s truest self and her fate: to fly. [Circling the Sun by Paula McLain | Goodreads]

My thoughts:

Prepare to take flight into the tumultuous life of Beryl Markham in Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun. The book follows Markham as she navigates the untamed landscape of Africa long before she becomes the historic aviator we know her as today. Markham is a force of nature, and her fierce independence, vibrant spirit, and complicated relationships make for quite a story. And while her aviation accomplishments are legendary, McLain mostly captures her earlier life in the book.

McLain’s Circling the Sun sweeps readers into the heart of colonial Kenya. From the very first page, the description makes you feel like you’re under the African Sun alongside the characters. As captivating as the scenery is, the story drags in the middle. The book may not rank among my favorites, but if you’re drawn to sweeping dramas set in exotic locales and can overlook occasional pacing issues, it’s a journey worth taking!

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