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Books similar to ‘Great Circle’ by Maggie Shipstead
Badass heroines take center stage in these superbly crafted historical fiction novels.
Published on October 11, 2023
West with the Night
Beryl MarkhamShipstead’s sweeping historical fiction draws on the lives of real female pilots, including legendary pilot and author Beryl Markham. In her own words, the famed aviator describes her childhood in Kenya (including the time she survived a lion attack), her work as an accomplished horse racer and bush pilot, and, most notably, her success in completing the first solo east to west transatlantic flight. A truly joyous reading experience, Markham’s memoir positively brims with her enthusiasm for adventure and exploration.
All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel
Anthony DoerrDoerr’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel is sensational — the rare book that takes a well-worn subject and adds an unforgettable spin. It follows the twin narratives of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German orphan recruited to the military, at the height of World War II. The story is haunting, the imagery of war-torn France beautiful, and the characters so rich in depth that devouring every page feels inevitable.
On Wilder Seas: The Woman on the Golden Hind
Nikki MarmeryMarmery transforms a wisp of history into a dazzling fiction debut. Based on snippets of a journal that make only passing mention of Maria, the only woman aboard explorer Sir Francis Drake’s circumnavigation voyage, “On Wilder Seas” brilliantly fills in the blanks to construct the rest of Maria’s tale. It’s a story filled with high seas adventures, heartbreak, and an unwavering determination to survive.
A Tale of Two Maidens: A Novel
Anne EcholsEchols displays her incredible imagination and depth of knowledge about medieval France through the fictional life of Felise, a teenage girl on a desperate voyage for freedom to escape an arranged marriage. With the Hundred Years’ War as the backdrop, the courageous heroine’s story intertwines with that of Joan of Arc. Through Felise and a cast of intriguing, multidimensional characters, readers gain a realistic glimpse of what life was like for women in the Middle Ages.
The Weight Of Ink
Rachel KadishA British historian and her young assistant discover a trove of centuries-old documents detailing the Jewish diaspora. All the more astonishing, the documents were not written by a man, as was custom at the time, but by a young woman. Despite the centuries that separate them, Kadish illuminates how a love for literature, learning, and truth can empower women through the ages. Like “Great Circle,” this historical fiction novel alternates between two timelines and illuminates female accomplishments that defied the odds.
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey
Serena BurdickWhen asked to describe her book in five words, Burdick said, “literary scandal, mystery, betrayal, and lies.” That about sums up this multigenerational tale of Evelyn, a 19th-century novelist whose own husband plagiarized her work, and Abigail, her great-great-granddaughter. Plot twist after plot twist keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Abigail journeys through history to unravel Evelyn’s unsolved disappearance. Atmospheric and riveting, Burdick’s historical fiction incorporates elements usually reserved for thrillers in the vein of Agatha Christie.
Two Wars and a Wedding: A Novel
Lauren WilligA courageous heroine’s journey takes her from an excavation dig in Athens to the front lines of not one, but two wars. While Willig’s coverage of these fascinating conflicts (the 1897 Greco-Turkish War and the 1898 Spanish-American War) is vivid and immersive, the heart of this story lies with the archaeologist-turned-war nurse who risks everything to fight for what’s right.
His Very Own Girl
Carrie LoftyIn this sweet romance set during WWII, Lulu, a British civilian pilot, meets Brawny, an American medic, at an airplane crash site while their two countries gear up for conflict. Their feelings for one another grow against the backdrop of rising escalation against the enemy, until he’s sent off to D-Day. Lofty’s attention to detail and meticulous writing make this historical unusual and distinctive.