Circling the sun book club discussion questions arlenes book. With her imaginative piece of historical fiction, circling the sun, paula mclain dives into the world of reallife heroine beryl markham, whose notoriety stretched beyond her record as the first woman to guide an aircraft across the atlantic, in 1936. Online book club discussion for resistance women by jennifer chiaverini. Her writing has appeared in the new york times, good housekeeping, more about paula mclain. Paula mclain, circling the sun, book club, book discussion. Circling the sun book club discussion questions arlenes. A book club is a reading group, usually consisting of a number of people who read and talk about books based on a topic or an agreedupon reading list.
After reading the book, i cant believe id never heard of beryl before diving into this. Beryl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys finch hatton and. Do you feel this is a fitting way to describe beryls relationship with kenya, too. Book club discussion of circling the sun by paula mclain. Circling the sun by paula mclain arlenes book club.
This study guide consists of approximately 54 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of circling the sun. Paula mclain is an american author best known for her novel, the paris wife, a fictionalized account of ernest hemingways first marriage. About paula paula mclain is the author of the new york times bestselling novels, the paris wife and circling the sun. Here, robin kall, host of the popular podcast reading with robin. Part highfalutin romance novel, part womens book group discussion bait, circling the sun accomplishes one worthy feat.
Read on for the best ways to find book discussion questions as well as my top ten generic book discussion questions that will work for anything you may choose. Circling the sun is a beautiful piece of work that does justice to the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman, one who lived in a time of exotic hedonism and excess. Planning to read west with the night and circling the sun looking for someone who has read both and has an opinion of what order i should read them in. Circling the sun brings to life a fearless and captivating womanberyl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys finch hatton and karen blixen, who as isak dinesen wrote the classic memoir out of africa. Topic name circling the sun by paula mclain book jacket. If you are in a book club or book group, you can check out books on british born kenyan aviator beryl markham here. Circling the sun for this edition of our virtual book club, were discussing circling the sun by paula mclain. Delve deeper into the life of beryl markham with these five book club discussion points for paula mclains circling the sun. Circling the sun, west with the night, and my book club i was disappointed when my book club selected circling the sun by paula mclain for our may discussion. It is still the host of all my darkest fears, the cradle of mysteries always intriguing, but never wholly solved.
A poignant look at the disillusionment and angst of the postworld war i generation, the story introduces two of hemingways most unforgettable characters. Is there anything unique about this book such as writing style, structure, or subject matter. Beryl forges her own path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the happy valley set. Circling the sun by paula mclain discussion questions. Our latest prize book is circe by madeline miller, which is now available in paperback. Beryl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys finch hatton and karen blixen, author of the classic memoir out of africa. She ponders her experience of almost being killed by a lion whose owners thought the lion was tamed. Our book club page for circling the sun by paula mclain includes book club discussion questions, author website, book summary. I know from previous conversations that the concept for euphoria completely hijacked. Circling the sun by paula mclain beryl markhams unconventional upbringing transforms her into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of natures delicate balance.
Her writing has appeared in the new york times, good housekeeping, o. I very much enjoyed the paris wife by paula mclain and out of africa, the movie with meryl streep as karen blixen and robert redford as denys finch hatton. The paris wife, by paula mclain, is the story of hadley richardson and ernest hemingway during the years between 1920 and 1927. Summary the sun also rises is one of ernest hemingways masterpieces and a classic example of his spare but powerful style.
The 10 titles book clubs are buzzing about in 2017 new york post. The life of beryl markham is intricately woven for us in this very readable novel by paula mclain. She now introduces her latest title, love and ruin. What intrigued me most when i picked up this book was the angle of beryls crosscultural. This historical fiction book takes place in kenya in the 1920s. But its the ruggedly charismatic denys finch hatton who ultimately helps beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. The lost vintage introduces kate as she returns to her familys vineyard in burgundy, france, and while there, she uncovers a hidden room containing a lost diary and a host of secrets. Welcome to book club babble, the site for busy people who love books.
Paula mclain, author of the phenomenal bestseller the paris wife, now returns with her keenly anticipated new novel, transporting readers to colonial kenya in the 1920s. Book clubs choose what to read based on a mix of factors. But when everything beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships. Its common for book clubs to choose a specific book to read and discuss at the same time. Circling the sun by paula mclain the author of the paris wife is back with another novelized memoir, this time of pioneering aviator. The time is now for the discussion of race in our countrys history, where we are today and keeping this conversation going. There is work to be done, but all we want to do is read. Circling the sun explores two desires present in most humans.
Paula mclain, author of the paris wife, hit a home run with circling the sun. I need a novel about a strong women a biography would be nice. Growing up in other peoples houses, and two collections of poetry. The deadline for your entries is wednesday, may 6th at noon et. It shines a bright light on an intriguing woman who has hidden in the. The book we discussed was circling the sun by paula mclain. Shes a strong woman who becomes the first female racehorse trainer in. Join the discussion of circling the sun by paula mclain. Paula mclain, author of the paris wife and circling the sun. From the multipleawardwinning, critically acclaimed author of the hummingbird and the curiosity comes a dazzling. The most intriguing was a family picture from the late 1930s containing an unknown person. Discuss circling the sun by paula mclain bookbrowse. Circling the sun book club discussion inspirational. Over the past week, the library has hosted a discussion about elizabeth.
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Brought to kenya from england as a child and then abandoned by her mother, beryl. Before kenya was kenya, beryl markham born clutterbuck lived in what was known as the britishcontrolled east african protectorate. Circling the sun, west with the night, and my book club. Circling the sun by paula mclain book club discussion. West with the night is the memoir of amazing beryl markham. Did she seem more suitedmore made forlife there than the others in her circle. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Im thinking circling the sun first because it is for december book club. I am currently reading mademoiselle chanel and i do like the writing style, however, i am struggling to get passed the glossed over depiction of chanel. The story begins in chicago where hadley had come to visit her friends kate and kelsey smith sister and brother who had a large apartment and rented out rooms to.
Circling the sun is based on the life of a real person. Looking for some discussion questions for book club. Heres a video of paula mclain, up close and personal on a conversation about her book circling the sun. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Reading guide for circling the sun by paula mclain discussion guide for book clubs. I listened to mclains earlier novel, the paris wife, in 2011 and thought it was a good book, but not a great one. Beryl was an english woman who grew up in kenya together with his father on a farm. This historical fiction book takes place in kenya in. That work became a longtime new york times bestseller. Paula mclain was born in fresno, california in 1965. In case you did not know i didnt, she was the first solo female to fly the atlantic from east to west. Brings to life a fearless and captivating woman from recent history. While beryls historic takeoff and landing act as triumphant bookends, circling the sun is far. Circling the sun study guide contains a biography of paula mclain, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.