When Anne Morrow, a shy college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family, she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charlesโs assurance and fame, Anne is certain the aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong. Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. In the years that follow, Anne becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States. But despite this and other major achievements, she is viewed merely as the aviatorโs wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, lifeโs infinite possibilities for change and happiness.
What a treat it was to read The Aviator’s Wife and learn so much about Charles Lindbergh. I avoided reading this book for sometime as I was disappointed with her earlier book, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, yet the author is coming to speak at my local library so I thought Iโd give it a try. Iโm SO glad I did. I not only learned so much about The Lindberghs, but I adored the authorโs voice and the emotions she brought to the characters. In a way, this was a coming of age story as well, as we saw Anne Morrow fight to distinguish her role as aviatorโs wife, ambassador’s daughter, mother, sister and friend. I so often wanted to reach through the pages and give her a backbone and stronger voice, but she was so overshadowed in her husbandโs presence it made me tremble. The rumors of Charles being a Nazi were well portrayed through this story and made me dislike this โheroโ even more. I found the kidnapping not only profoundly sad, but also a lesson in the media, paparazzi and the nonsense that goes along with it. I suppose Anne learned all too well to be careful what one wishes for. Iโm so thankful for Mrs. Benjaminโs authorโs notes that cleared up what is historical fact and what was not. I highly recommend this book for all lovers of historical fiction!
Great visit with Melanie Benjamin when she visited to our library.
Quotes I liked:
…so I could write in the morning-always my favorite time to gather my thoughts. I would rise early, before the children got up, before they pulled at me, tugged at me, stretched me thin as taffy, as children had a way of doing.”
-“Jealousy is a terrible thing. It keeps you up at night, it demands tremendous energy in order to remain alive, and so you have to want to feed it, nurture it- and by so wanting, you have to acknowledge that you are a bitter, petty person. It changes you. It changes the way you view the world; minor irritations become major catastrophes; celebrations become trials.”
ย -“Or a perfect life. A womanโs life, always changing, accommodating, then shedding, old duties for new; one personโs expectations for another until finally, victoriously, emerging stronger. Complete.”
-“And I was alone. For the first time since before I married Charles. Iโd thought marriage would mean Iโd never be lonely. Now I knew: Marriage breeds its own special brand of loneliness, and itโs far more cruel. You miss more, because youโve known more.
-“To live for oneself is a terrifying prospect; there is comfort in martyrdomโฆ”
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8 hardcover books with 24 pages per book 18 sound buttons: 8 book iD, 8 LEDs, 3 long-lasting replaceable AAA batteries included. Standalone electronic pad resembles an eReader, Choosing a story to read is fun and rewarding Engaging narration and stor... read more
Review:The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is another excellent example of creating a novel with richly layered characters while comparing Indian and American lifestyles. In this story, Remy returns to Bombay, which he has dubbed the museum of failures, as he sees his native country through the lens of his American life. Heโs there to meet his friendโs niece with the hopes of adopting her baby, as he and his wife are unable to conceive. This innocuous trip turns into a much more complex time as Remy is hit with roadblocks time and time again.Itโs the story about Remy and his mother that really got to me. He lived a life of never measuring up and feeling quite unloved by her. Through their time together in Bombay, he learns critical information that allows him to see her in a more thoughtful and understanding way. This time away has brought whatโs left of his shattered family back together.His trip extends much longer than anticipated and he realizes the value of being home. His American wife Kathy seemed too good to be true, but I did like their relationship, born of trust and equality. Remyโs life as a poet was buried away, but through his visit in India, he realizes the importance of doing work you love, not just working for a higher paycheck.Overall, this was a satisfying read and one that fans of Umrigar will appreciate. Her last book, Honor, along with The Space Between Us, are my two favorites of hers. I havenโt met an Umrigar book I didnโt enjoy!@thrity_umrigar @algonquinbooks ๐: Do you dress up for Halloween? If yes, what's your costume of choice? If not, what's a scary book you've read? ... See MoreSee Less