Title: Circling the SunAuthor: Paula McLain
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: Growing up in British East Africa Protectorate, what is modern-day Kenya, with only her father and a string of unsuccessful governesses to guide her, Beryl had an unencumbered childhood. She played with and learned from the children and elders of the Kikuyu tribe and worked with horses on her father's farm. When luck changes for her father, an unsuccessful marriage inspires Beryl to find a way to be a self-sufficient woman in 1920s Africa. Working to become a horse trainer, Beryl makes friends with an interesting cast of characters, all looking wherever they can to find happiness.
My Thoughts
The story really seems to be one about the eternal human struggle to find happiness within the constraints of societal norms. So many of the characters are having extramarital affairs, but because most of their marriages were not for love the reader finds it difficult to find it immoral. Beryl is conflicted many times about the decision to be herself or to fit the role what society wants her to fulfill.
I personally love that when faced with adversity Beryl, and many other characters in the book, just work to figure it out. To me, that makes the story so much more real. Beryl does not just wallow in despair when something doesn't go her way. When she wants to be independent of a husband, she trains to get a job. When rumors ruin her reputation, she figures out a way to ride out the storm. When one job no longer provides like it used to, she learns another trade. It is what real people have to do every day, figure out how to survive in your circumstances.
It is also enjoyable when a book has a good ending, but not a perfectly wrapped up happily-ever-after type ending. Again, it adds to the reality of the life of Beryl Markham but also gives you hope.
If you like reading historical fiction with strong female characters, learning more about life in British occupied Kenya, safaris, or stories of overcoming your lot in life, then this book is for you!
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.
The story really seems to be one about the eternal human struggle to find happiness within the constraints of societal norms. So many of the characters are having extramarital affairs, but because most of their marriages were not for love the reader finds it difficult to find it immoral. Beryl is conflicted many times about the decision to be herself or to fit the role what society wants her to fulfill.
I personally love that when faced with adversity Beryl, and many other characters in the book, just work to figure it out. To me, that makes the story so much more real. Beryl does not just wallow in despair when something doesn't go her way. When she wants to be independent of a husband, she trains to get a job. When rumors ruin her reputation, she figures out a way to ride out the storm. When one job no longer provides like it used to, she learns another trade. It is what real people have to do every day, figure out how to survive in your circumstances.
It is also enjoyable when a book has a good ending, but not a perfectly wrapped up happily-ever-after type ending. Again, it adds to the reality of the life of Beryl Markham but also gives you hope.
If you like reading historical fiction with strong female characters, learning more about life in British occupied Kenya, safaris, or stories of overcoming your lot in life, then this book is for you!
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.
