Beryl's aviation prowess — she makes history by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west — seems nearly impossible to imagine as the story of her early life begins. By giving us a glimpse into her future, the author sets us up for an amazing journey as I found myself asking: How on Earth is this where Beryl ends up? McLain challenges us with the ending that we know is coming, and she thwarts every effort to make sense of it all before it's time. It was possible everyone ended up in the same place no matter which path we took or how often we fell to our knees, undoubtedly wiser for all of it." verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

Circling Sun - Spirits. Soundway Records. The Circling Sun - Spirits. Soundway Records.

that was something I loved about Africa. The way it got at you from outside in and never let up, and never let you go." Read this book for an emotional vacation to a fascinating moment in world history. Read it to be astounded by the human spirit's ability to conquer so much. Read it to be inspired by bravery in the face of true mortal danger. Read it for the romance! Read it because it happened. Enjoy it because it's excellent. This is a great story based on real people. I enjoyed learning the history and also about the struggles and choices women had to make not so long ago to open the way for us to enjoy being feee today. The result is an album on which the sonic palette is awash with lush orchestrations, at times offering an aural experience of expansive depth. Numerous instruments there may be, but each one is given space to breathe, with not a hint of conflict or confusion as vintage synth sounds blend with shimmering harp notes and vibraphone whilst at the same time accommodating horn riffage, undulating flute patterns and esoteric keyboards, all underscored by a solid-sounding upright bass and retro jazz drum kit.

Beryl is torn between two worlds -an English girl born at the turn of the twentieth century, she is also naturally and thoroughly wild. It is unknown to us or others whether her wildness is nature or nurture, but I'm inclined to say that it is both. The inevitability of her (and everyone else's) path is the central drive of the novel. Beryl forges her own path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the Happy Valley set, a decadent, bohemian community of European expats who also live and love by their own set of rules. But it’s the ruggedly charismatic Denys Finch Hatton who ultimately helps Beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. The intensity of their love reveals Beryl’s truest self and her fate: to fly. For this long-awaited debut release, the line-up features no less than nine musicians playing a vast array of instruments, often solo, sometimes ensemble in the case of the brass and woodwind, and a choir of up to eight singers. The full listing of credits reads as Cameron Allen tenor and alto saxophones, John Bell vibraphone, cornet & tenor horn, Cory Champion Buchla modular synthesizer, Julien Dyne drums & percussion, Guy Harrison acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Korg Delta synthesizer, J.Y.Lee flute, bass clarinet, alto, baritone, soprano saxes, Chris O’Connor harp, Finn Scholes trumpet, trombone, vibraphone and Ben Turla acoustic bass, with David Afase, Samara Alofa, Crystal Chen, AJ Fata, Abigail Aroha Jensen, Kenny Sterling, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule and Lisa ‘Romi’ Wright forming the choir.

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain | Book of the Month Circling the Sun by Paula McLain | Book of the Month

I'll be honest, it's not the plot that is overly memorable here, several months later. It's the writing. Yes, the character is fascinating, and one may love or hate her - that's part of the interest. Such an incredible life she lived. I was drawn into this world and want more of Africa! I felt the need to stop highlight and meditate on my passages. A truly incredible novel based on a someone I admire This book was amazing. It should be required reading for young women. It was really inspirational, emotional & thought provoking. Brave, independent women will find this book sad and yet encouraging. Brought to Kenya from England as a child and then abandoned by her mother, Beryl is raised by both her father and the native Kipsigis tribe who share his estate. Her unconventional upbringing transforms Beryl into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of nature’s delicate balance. But even the wild child must grow up, and when everything Beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships.In 1904, a three year-old named Beryl moves from England to Kenya (before it was "Kenya") with her mother, father and brother. Two years later, her mother and older brother return to England (for reasons I am reluctant to reveal - no spoilers!), leaving Beryl in Kenya to be raised by her father, who trains horses and runs a farm. Growing up adjacent to and immersed in several families from the Kipsigis tribe, Beryl becomes an aspiring young warrior (having never absorbed Western expectations of girlhood), passionate racehorse trainer, and adventurer. We first meet her, in a flash-forward prologue, while she's performing her ultimate occupation: pilot. Formed over two decades ago, The Circling Sun certainly cannot be accused of rushing to unleash musical product on the public, as Spirits, set for release on May 19th on the famous Soundway imprint, will be their debut album. In playing such a long game, the inevitable question will be, was it worth the wait? To these ears, the response is an unreserved yes, together with a strong impression that the album will garner positive plaudits from an array of differing sources. While a leopard moth that had got caught in the curtains stopped struggling for a moment, and realized it was free."