Circling the sun book club discussion questions arlenes book. 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. This historical fiction book takes place in kenya in the 1920s. Beryl markham 19021986 was the first woman to fly solo east to west across the atlantic, a feat she chronicled in west with the night. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Find books like circling the sun from the worlds largest community of readers.
I saw the muthaiga club, karen blixens farm now a museum, denys finch. Drop off copies of your book club books at any madison public library location. Discussion questions for circling the sun are listed. The beauty of kenyas rift valley and the sun drenched, ginsoaked lives of the wealthy colonials in nairobi the epicentre of the socalled happy valley set is vividly depicted. 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.
Circling the sun is real out of africa stuff, and features many of the glamorous, colourful reallife characters in the book and film of the same name. But when everything beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships. She went to male dominated countries, such as saudi arabia, without a male chaperone. Although circling the sun, mclains new novel, is bookended by firstperson accounts of markhams 1936 solo flight, in between is the story of her life in the british east african protectorate, later kenya. Circling the sun, west with the night, and my book club. Brought to kenya from england as a child and then abandoned by.
Benka pulkos book, circling the sun, opened up my eyes to a whole new world. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. After a winter in florida, i missed my book club and wasnt about to go to the meeting without having read the book. Set in kenya in the early twentieth century, american author paula. Fans of the paris wife will be captivated by circling the sun, which. Congratulations to tiffanie, the winner of the free book. Circling the sun paula mclain, 2015 random house 384 pp. The real markham was a pioneering aviator who became the first woman to fly solo, east to west, across the atlantic. And now, announcing the next virtual book club selection. I was disappointed when my book club selected circling the sun by paula mclain for our may discussion. The circling the sun community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Circling the sun by paula mclain the author of the paris wife is back with another novelized memoir, this time of pioneering aviator. Paula mclain will discuss her new novel circling the sun. Yet, circling the sun is all about white co paula mclains latest novel, narrating the life and times of pioneering aviator and horse racer beryl markham, is labeled as historical fiction that transports readers to colonial kenya in the 1920s.
Do you enjoy reading a novelists interpretation of the persons life in story form or do you prefer a biographical format. At the beginning of the book, beryl reflects that her fathers farm in njoro is the one place in the world id been made for. Youll also find printable book club questions at the end of this post to bring to. I listened to mclains earlier novel, the paris wife, in 2011 and thought it was a good book, but not a great one. Compared with other popular strongwilled heroines, how do her opinions on love and fulfillment differ. Circling the sun is a beautiful novel to read on a snowy day, envisioning the plains and hills and people of kenya early in the 20th century and the selfreliance of a very independent woman living beyond her time. Circling the sun book club discussion questions arlenes. Goodreads members who liked circling the sun also liked.
Do you feel this is a fitting way to describe beryls relationship with kenya, too. If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Circling the sun is narrated by beryl and she tells her life story, moving from her youth in colonial kenya to her eventual fame as the first woman to fly solo across the atlantic. After reading the book, i cant believe id never heard of beryl before diving into this engrossing story. Circling the sun by paula mclain arlenes book club. It is, after all, a novel set in africa, based on a historical figure. Heres a video of paula mclain, up close and personal on a conversation about her book circling the sun. Book club questions for circling the sun by paula mclain october 14, 2016 books books circling the sun fiction historical fiction with lots of varied and poignant themes to discuss within circling the sun, we cant wait to get conversations started as part of the richard and judy book club autumn 2016. Beryl forges her own path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the happy. 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, author. For this edition of our virtual book club, were discussing circling the sun by paula mclain. It was filled with stunning photos, from across the globe.
But its the ruggedly charismatic denys finch hatton who ultimately helps beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. Circling the sun by paula mclain book club discussion. Please join us in reading circling the sun by paula mclain for our monthly read. Circling the sun brings to life a fearless and captivating womanberyl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love. Paula mclain, circling the sun, book club, book discussion. What i find even more fascinating is the juxtaposition of this novel with beryl markhams own stories in west with the night. Topic name circling the sun by paula mclain book jacket. Before kenya was kenya, beryl markham born clutterbuck lived in what was known as the britishcontrolled east african protectorate.
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 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, author of the classic. Together these two books can make for an interesting. Throughout the book, beryls romantic choices conclude in disappointment. Discussion questions circling the sun at the beginning of the book, beryl reflects that her fathers farm in njoro was the one place in the world id been made for. An out of africa circling the sun tablescape and book.
Paula mclain, author of the paris wife, hit a home run with circling the sun 2015, her historical fiction take on intrepid aviator beryl markhams life. Circling the sun characters paula mclain 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. Historical fiction based on real people has become a popular genre. Circling the sun is based on the life of a real person.
Discuss circling the sun by paula mclain bookbrowse. The book we discussed was circling the sun by paula mclain. Tiffanie, ill send you a private message about getting the book to you. Circling the sun by paula mclain discussion questions. By mameve medwed globe correspondent, july 23, 2015, 4. 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. Circling the sun explores two desires present in most humans. Biographies have been written about beryl markham, and markham herself wrote a memoir. Circling the sun book club discussion inspirational. Thanks to everyone who participated in our book discussion about clutter, tidying up, and socks with feelings. Delve deeper into the life of beryl markham with these five book club discussion points for paula mclains circling the sun.
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