Great Circle: Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction & the Booker Prize by Maggie Shipstead

A soaring, breathtakingly ambitious novel that weaves together the astonishing lives of a 1950s vanished female aviator and the modern-day Hollywood actress who plays her on screen.

Marian Graves is driven by a need for freedom and danger. From her days as a wild child in prohibition America to the blitz and glitz of wartime London, she is determined to live an independent life.

But it is an obsession with flight that consumes her most.

Having become one of the most fearless pilots in her time, she sets out to do what no one has done before: to circumnavigate the globe from pole to pole.

But shortly before completing the journey, her plane disappears, lost to history.

Over half a century later, troubled film star Hadley Baxter is offered to play Marian in the comeback role of a lifetime. From the first pages of the script, Hadley is drawn inexorably to the female pilot.

It is a role that will lead her to an unexpected discovery, throwing fresh and spellbinding light on the story of the unknowable Marian Graves.

Review

Luminous, masterful ... glides seamlessly through the 20th century immersing the reader. Tremendously well-written ― TELEGRAPH, 'Best Fiction of 2021'

A gripping historical adventure that feels sharp, fresh and modern ― STYLIST MAGAZINE

Shipstead turns phrases and observes people beautifully. Full of adventure, passion and tragedy... a glorious tribute to women who push the boundaries of their one, brief life, breaking the bonds of their place in history and their female bodies, to soar higher and faster than others; and the price they pay to live so fast ― THE TIMES, 'Best Fiction of 2021'

Impressive and gripping ― SUNDAY TIMES

What's so impressive is how deeply we care about each of these people, and how the shape and texture of each of their stories collide to build a story all its own. GREAT CIRCLE grasps for and ultimately reaches something extraordinary ― NEW YORK TIMES

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Doubleday; 1st edition (4 May 2021)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 608 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0857526812

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0857526816

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16 x 3.2 x 23.4 cm