Aviator's Wife, The

Benjamin, Melanie

  10 Reviews

When his 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic catapults Charles Lindbergh into the public arena, his name becomes synonymous with fame, fortune and high drama. Following marriage to Anne Morrow, she too is thrust into the limelight. This is her story: from their fairytale marriage and the kidnapping and loss of their young son through to the inevitable hardships of living their lives in the glare of public scrutiny. Always in the background are Anne's own trailblazing achievements in the aviation world, and the truth behind their complicated marriage.

Anchored in actual events and real people, this is a credibly imagined story of the celebrated American couple.

Comments from Groups

A book that was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole group, and which generated a great discussion. They were complex characters and high achievers. We felt that Anne was dominated by Charles who seemed incapable of being emotionally involved. She was admired for the way she stuck by her children. It was tricky at times trying to work out what was fact and what was fiction. A good read. Auckland 116

An interesting interpretation of such a well known event in history. A popular choice for our group. Thank you. Tauranga 015

We enjoyed the factual side of this story, but most of us were irritated by the writing style, and the fictional, rather breathless approach. We would have preferred a straight biography! It did make us want to read Anne Morrow Lindbergh's writing - recommended by those in our group that have. Auckland 063

It was generally agreed that it was a very 'readable' book. It was seen as a good picture of a marriage in that era. However there were some doubts about about how closely the writer's views of Anne would have corresponded with her actual thoughts and emotions. Ashburton 005

This was an interesting book, it provided a lot of discussion. Several members thought it had a Mills and Boon quality which they did not like. Others were fascinated by the story. Some of the language was very overblown, but possibly that was the style that Anne Morrow would have written?? It was a novel, but it made us research the actual characters. We all thought it would not have been easy to be married to a "hero" who was arrogant, single minded and secretive as well. Joan Curry's notes were very good, as was the author's postscript at the end of the book. Christchurch 001

Ours is an all male group, and that coloured our reaction to the book. It is obviously a book written for women. Most of us found it difficult going for the first half, but we felt it improved and as the marital relationship was described, it became more real, more understandable, more human and more interesting. We felt the author played fast and loose with the facts that are available. There's nothing wrong with invention when there are no facts, but in this case many facts seem to have been ignored. The notes were perceptive on this matter....Wanganui 011

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