Great Circle A Novel (Man Booker Prize Finalist) By Maggie Shipstead

Maggie Shipstead's "Great Circle" is a New York Times bestseller and a TODAY Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club pick that tells the riveting story of Marian Graves, a fearless aviator determined to carve her own path. After being rescued from a sinking ocean liner in 1914, Marian and her twin brother, Jamie, grow up in Missoula, Montana. Marian’s passion for flying ignites when she meets barnstorming pilots as a teenager. She drops out of school at fourteen and finds a patron in a wealthy bootlegger, who provides her with a plane and flying lessons—an arrangement that will haunt her but also enable her dream of circumnavigating the globe via the North and South Poles.

A century later, Hollywood actress Hadley Baxter is cast to play Marian in a biopic about her mysterious disappearance in Antarctica. Hadley, disillusioned with her career defined by a popular film franchise, seeks a new beginning. As she delves into Marian's life, their stories interweave, highlighting their shared quest for self-determination across different eras and landscapes.

"Great Circle" is an epic, emotional narrative that spans Prohibition, World War II, and modern-day Hollywood. Shipstead’s meticulous research and rich storytelling bring to life the indomitable spirit of two women linked by their daring and desire for freedom. This monumental work showcases Shipstead's prodigious talent and is a testament to the enduring power of following one's dreams.