60 pages • 2 hours read
Maggie ShipsteadGreat Circle
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead weaves together the stories of Marian Graves, a pioneering aviator attempting to fly over both Poles in the mid-20th century, and Hadley Baxter, an actor in the modern day exploring Marian’s life for a biographical film. Themes include abandonment, suicide, emotional abuse, and spousal abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Maggie Shipstead’s Great Circle is widely praised for its ambitious scope and richly detailed narrative. Reviewers commend its intricate plotting and vivid character development, especially the portrayal of protagonist Marian. However, some find its length and pacing challenging. Overall, it's an engaging and immersive read with compelling historical depth.
Who Should Read Great Circle?
Readers who enjoy expansive, multi-generational sagas like All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah will be captivated by Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. Its blend of historical fiction, compelling characters, and rich, narrative depth appeals to those who appreciate intricately woven, atmospheric storytelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Action / Adventure
LGBTQ
Gender / Feminism
Arts / Culture
Identity: Gender
Identity: Sexuality
Values/Ideas: Art