Nonfiction
1983 North Point Press (first published in 1942)
Finished on February 21, 2001
Rating: 2/5 (Fair)
Publisher's Blurb:
Beryl Markham’s life story is a true epic. Not only did she set records and break barriers as a pilot, she shattered societal expectations, threw herself into torrid love affairs, survived desperate crash landings—and chronicled everything. A contemporary of Karen Blixen (better known as Isak Dinesen, the author of Out of Africa), Markham left an enduring memoir that soars with astounding candor and shimmering insights.
A rebel from a young age, the British-born Markham was raised in Kenya’s unforgiving farmlands. She trained as a bush pilot at a time when most Africans had never seen a plane. In 1936, she accepted the ultimate challenge: to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west, a feat that fellow female aviator Amelia Earhart had completed in reverse just a few years before. Markham’s successes and her failures—and her deep, lifelong love of the “soul of Africa”—are all told here with wrenching honesty and agile wit.
Hailed as “one of the greatest adventure books of all time” by Newsweek and “the sort of book that makes you think human beings can do anything” by the New York Times, West with the Night remains a powerful testament to one of the iconic lives of the twentieth century.
My Original Thoughts (2001):
I read this for my book group, and while I'm glad I did, I didn't really enjoy it. I thought a lot of the chapters were dull and wished it had been more about her flight across the Atlantic, rather than so much of her childhood. Some chapters were interesting (hunting, training horses, etc.), but definitely not a page-turner. Could it have really been written by one of her husbands?
My Current Thoughts:
I was not aware that Paula McLain had written a historical novel about Markham. I'll have to give Circling the Sun a try. Maybe I'll enjoy it more than Markham's memoir.
It's a shame that this wasn't more interesting. The blurb sounded so much more exciting!
ReplyDeleteJen, I have a feeling McLain's novel will suit me better.
DeleteI think I tried to read this one at some point. If I did read it, I don't remember much. I have noticed Circling the Sun and wondered about it. Maybe we should both try it.
ReplyDeleteKay, I listened to The Paris Wife (by McLain) and thought it was good, but not great. I have her most recent book (When the Stars Go Dark) in my audiobook queue and will listen to that and then decide if I care enough for her writing to try Circling the Sun.
DeleteI read Circling the Sun several years ago and thought it was very good. Markham was certainly an interesting character—adventurous and non-conformist, to say the least!
ReplyDeleteLaurel, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Circling the Sun. I thought The Paris Wife was good, but not great, so I'm a bit on the fence about McLain's books. I have When the Stars Go Dark in my queue on audio, so we'll see how that goes and then maybe I'll give Circling the Sun a chance.
DeleteThis one disappointed me, too. By the way, I find it fascinating that we read so many of the same books, Les, when we were younger.
ReplyDeleteDeb, that is interesting! We must have been getting recommendations from the same readers. Probably online book groups, I'd bet.
DeleteI read (listened to) Circling the Sun several years ago and followed up with West with the Night. I was disappointed in the latter and remember wishing I'd read that one first...
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I'm on the fence about Circling the Sun. I listened to The Paris Wife and thought it was good, but not great. We'll see...
DeleteThe Paris Wife was just an okay read for me. I remember liking Circling the Sun better, but with so many other books vying for your time...
DeleteTrue. I already have so many audio books in my queue. I'll keep it in mind, though.
DeleteI like the subject but I think I will take your advice and get McClain's novel.
ReplyDeleteTina, I enjoyed The Aviator's Wife (by Melanie Benjamin) much better than this book. I reviewed it here, if you're interested.
DeleteThis does sound interesting. Too bad it was a letdown. I haven't read any of McLain's books but do own The Paris Wife. I saw your comment above and agree that The Aviator's Wife is really good.
ReplyDeleteJen, I especially enjoyed The Aviator's Wife because of my family's involvement in aviation. My grandfather flew for Pan Am and Lindbergh came to one of my grandparents' Christmas parties. I wrote a little bit about that in my review for The Aviator's Wife.
DeleteI was a big fan of the Markham book when I first read it ... a long time ago. Maybe I should re-read it to see if it holds up for me. I found her life as an aviator & a lover of animals & life in Africa quite fascinating. I also liked Circling the Sun too. She had quite a few of boyfriends in her day ....
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm hoping to listen to the audio edition of Circling the Sun later this year. Markham did have quite a fascinating life, that's for certain.
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