Great Circle is an epic and emotional journey through the life of a daredevil female aviator determined to chart her own course in life, at any cost. This monumental work of art spans from Prohibition-era Montana to wartime London, and from the rugged shores of New Zealand to the icy wilderness of Antarctica.

Marian and Jamie Graves, rescued as infants from a sinking ocean liner in 1914, are raised by their dissolute uncle in Missoula, Montana. Here, Marian begins her lifelong love affair with flight after encountering barnstorming pilots. She drops out of school at fourteen, and a wealthy bootlegger subsidizes her lessons, providing a plane—an arrangement that will haunt her throughout her life and allows her to pursue her destiny: circumnavigating the globe by flying over the North and South Poles.

A century later, Hadley Baxter, a film star trapped by the claustrophobia of Hollywood and her cult celebrity status, is cast to play Marian. As Hadley immerses herself into the character of Marian, the fates of the two women intertwine, each pursuing self-determination in different times and geographies, culminating in Marian's mysterious disappearance in Antarctica.

Great Circle is not just a story of adventure and ambition, but also a portrayal of the hunger for self-determination in vastly different circumstances. Maggie Shipstead delivers a tremendously told tale that is meticulously researched and gloriously recounted, making it a tremendous leap forward for this prodigiously gifted author.

Wind, Sand and Stars captures the grandeur, danger, and isolation of flight. Its exciting account of air adventure, combined with lyrical prose and the spirit of a philosopher, makes it one of the most popular works ever written about flying. Translated by Lewis Galantière.