Great Circle is the title of Maggie Shipstead’s novel about Marian Graves, a woman who wants to be a pilot at a time when that’s not something women do. One plot line revolves primarily around Marian’s life, set in Prohibition-era Montana, where she flies liquor in from Canada, then Alaska, then in England as a flyer during World War Two. The other plot line revolves around modern-day actress Hadley Baxter, who is hired to play the role of Marian in a movie based on a novel about her attempt to circumnavigate the earth flying over both poles. The two plots end up connecting as Hadley learns about the real Marian, who is much more complicated than the figure in the novel. There are several other well-developed and compelling characters. Sexuality and bi-sexuality is a theme as well. A staggering amount of research must have gone into creating such evocative description that so expertly advances character and plot and conjures the atmosphere of the locations and times. The author writes staggeringly good prose for nearly 600 pages with no break in quality and good pace. It’s one of the best books I’ve read. Here’s what Kirkus Reviews says:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/maggie-shipstead/great-circle/