Author: Melanie Benjamin
Title: The Aviator's Wife
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 2013
Number of Pages: 416
Time Period: 1920s – 1970s
Series: Standalone
Plot Summary
The Aviator’s Wife tells the story of Anne Marrow, who
married famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. The book brings us back and forth in
time as it explores their relationship and their family. Anne was a shy girl
who always stood in the shadow of her older sister. Her entire world is changed
when Charles Lindbergh took notice of her, rather than her sister, on a trip to
Mexico. When they get married, she is suddenly thrown into the spotlight of the
public eye. In an effort to shield her from the public, Charles effectively
brings her back into the shadows. Anne appeared to be quietly standing behind
the scenes, but in reality, she was one of the first women to fly and was a
writer and poet. Despite her own achievements, she was once again in the shadow
of someone else, as people only knew her by her husband’s name and viewed her
simply as the aviator’s wife. Melanie Benjamin brings a lot of true history
into this fictional novel. She discovers that Anne was the backbone behind
their family and the reason why so many people love the Lindberghs.
Subject Headings: Novel, Historical Fiction, Biographical
Fiction
Appeal
Frame
Accurate historical
detail, such as geography, culture, and beliefs, frame historical fiction
novels. Benjamin did a lot of research to bring true historical facts into the
story. She delved into Anne’s biographies and diaries and tried to tell her
story as accurately as possible.
Characterization
Characters in historical
fiction need to act accurately for the time as well. Even in the fictional
parts, the characters in this book act in ways that they could have in real
life. Everything they do is believable as Benjamin weaves fact and fiction
together seamlessly. In her author’s note, Benjamin explains that she kept real
events as true to life as possible for the most part and imagined the emotions
of the characters as they might have actually felt them.
Story Line
Historical fiction
either follows a specific person in history or a particular time or event. This
book is character-driven and follows the lives of the Lindbergh family.
Pacing
This book, like most
historical fiction books, is on the longer side at 416 pages. Then tend to
start slow in order to set the scene, but at the same time, draw the reader in
immediately. The events in Anne’s life unfold slowly, but the details immerse
the reader into the story.
Similar Authors and
Works
- Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer
Chiaverini
This
book gives a glimpse into the life of another women who was always behind the
scenes. Elizabeth Keckley was known for being a talented seamstress, but she
became a part of the Lincoln family’s life as well.
- The
Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Read
this to learn about another wife behind a famous man and the challenges Hadley
Richardson faced as she struggled to hold on to her identity and sense of self
while married to Ernest Hemingway
- The
Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
This book is set in the same time period
as The Aviator’s Wife and follows a strong woman trying to
find her way through society while holding on to her identity.
Hi Christina,
ReplyDeleteThe book's cover catches my eye. You did a great annotation! I really enjoyed reading the summary and how the historical elements were weaved into the fictional parts. Did you like the book?
Abby Abbott
Hi Christina,
ReplyDeleteI've read this book before, and your annotation does a great job giving an overview of the title! It's been a few years since I read this, but I seem to remember that Charles is portrayed as kind of a jerk in this book. I remember feeling sorry for Anne since she was so bright and talented, but stuck in an unhappy marriage where her husband got so much of the credit for the work he did (that Anne was also talented in).
Hi Christina,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an interesting book. I like how you mentioned that historical fiction needs to have characters who act accurately for the time they are placed in. I hadn't considered that before this course, but it makes sense that a character can't feel out of place (or out of time, I guess) in the period.
The research needed to write a good historical fiction is often extensive. Did this book include any kind of author's note about the sources she referenced when writing the book? It would be interesting to see after reading a book like this. And it might even read to a (non-fiction) read-alike.
Thanks for sharing your annotation!
-Daniel Thurston
Excellent job on this annotation! This book always pops up on the bestsellers or book club lists so it was good to actually learn more about it. Fantastic job on the appeals. Full points!
ReplyDelete