Helpful Score: 6
Wow. Just...wow. It is truly possible to like a book - the way it is written, the lovely language, the flow...and absolutely HATE the main characters. I know, because I enjoyed the way that Melanie Benjamin told the tale of the fairy-tale Lindberghs, but I had real difficulties with both of them.
I knew what most people know about Charles Lindbergh before I started this book. He was the first to fly a plane alone across the Atlantic. His baby son was kidnapped and was killed.
However, if what Melanie Benjamin tells us is true, he was a horrid, loathsome person. He was cold, manipulating, unemotional, bigoted and selfish. I've rarely met a character in a novel I've disliked more, whether based on a real person or totally imaginary. And as much as I wanted to pity Anne, his wife, I ended up angry with her much of the time. I so wanted to shake her! She knew exactly what kind of person her husband was, and yet she did not have the self-respect and faith in herself to leave him. Her family was wealthy - supporting herself and her children was not the problem. Her problem was her obsession with this horrible man.
I ended up really disliking both of them in many ways. If these people truly were like the people portrayed in Ms. Benjamin's novel, I'm very glad I didn't know them.
The book itself was wonderfully written, and I continued through with it even though I hated the couple in question. That says volumes about the author's ability to tell an absorbing story.
I knew what most people know about Charles Lindbergh before I started this book. He was the first to fly a plane alone across the Atlantic. His baby son was kidnapped and was killed.
However, if what Melanie Benjamin tells us is true, he was a horrid, loathsome person. He was cold, manipulating, unemotional, bigoted and selfish. I've rarely met a character in a novel I've disliked more, whether based on a real person or totally imaginary. And as much as I wanted to pity Anne, his wife, I ended up angry with her much of the time. I so wanted to shake her! She knew exactly what kind of person her husband was, and yet she did not have the self-respect and faith in herself to leave him. Her family was wealthy - supporting herself and her children was not the problem. Her problem was her obsession with this horrible man.
I ended up really disliking both of them in many ways. If these people truly were like the people portrayed in Ms. Benjamin's novel, I'm very glad I didn't know them.
The book itself was wonderfully written, and I continued through with it even though I hated the couple in question. That says volumes about the author's ability to tell an absorbing story.
Helpful Score: 5
The Aviator's Wife has been favorably compared with "Loving Frank", and "The Paris Wife". The Aviator's Wife is about the wife of Charles Lindbergh. Anne Morrow Lindbergh was a quiet college girl when she met Charles. Although her relationship and marriage to this American Hero led her to her own great accomplishments, she was seen by the public, and the press as only his wife. The kidnapping and murder of their first child was a heartbreak neither she or Charles ever recovered from, their differing ways of dealing with this tragedy made her stronger, and I believe him weaker. Benjamin has given us a well written story of a woman, married to a famous man, who became an accomplished person in her own right. Anne Morrow Lindbergh was a woman who overcame the time she was born into, which viewed women as less important than men.
Helpful Score: 4
I liked this book very much. Bittersweet story and seemed pretty close to the historical record of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindberg.
Helpful Score: 3
This book is well written, entertaining and informative. So much that I did not know about this period of time. I knew of the Lindbergh's but not the complete story. While I learned a lot, I learned it through reading an enjoyable book. I couldn't put it down and was up till 2:30 am several nights reading it. Anne Morrow Lindbergh was inspiring woman. A quiet woman who stood in the shadows of her famous husband and father. Her own accomplishments were overlooked and yet she kept going. Having read several books on wives of famous husbands- this book is much different. Anne Morrow Lindbergh is very likeable. She is an author diplomat and an accomplished aviator. She represents what so many of us have strive to be,and what we dream of being. You will love this book! I look forward to them making a movie of it sometime in the future!
Helpful Score: 3
I am just finishing up this book and I have totally enjoyed it. It is packed full of behind the scenes info that is really an eye opener. There was so much I did not know about this famous man and his left in the shadows wife and this book will not be forgotten for some time.
Helpful Score: 1
Again I am sucked into a Melanie Benjamin historical fiction book. This time the narrator is Anne Morrow Lindbergh the wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh. Anne fell for Charles immediately and you might say Charles felt the same. He taught how to fly an airplane and they traveled to europe. They did married and have children. In fact the family was famous but just maybe you heard of the Lindberghs after their first son had been kidnapped.
Just like in Alice I Have Been and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, Melanie Benjamin creates a new voice that feel so real you cant help but in way hear the voice of Anne Lindbergh in your head. Just beautifully written and applauses for picking Anne Morrow Lindbergh as a subject to write about.
I really dont have any problems with the book except that I wanted more of it. I read this as slow as possible so I could savor it.
You can tell a lot of research goes into Melanie Benjamin book. I cant wait to see who she chooses to write about next!
Just like in Alice I Have Been and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, Melanie Benjamin creates a new voice that feel so real you cant help but in way hear the voice of Anne Lindbergh in your head. Just beautifully written and applauses for picking Anne Morrow Lindbergh as a subject to write about.
I really dont have any problems with the book except that I wanted more of it. I read this as slow as possible so I could savor it.
You can tell a lot of research goes into Melanie Benjamin book. I cant wait to see who she chooses to write about next!
Helpful Score: 1
Melanie Benjamin has written a riveting novel told from the first-person viewpoint of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who is an ambassador's daughter, an accomplished writer, a mother, an aviatrix and THE aviator's wife. All of these descriptions shape and define her, but none more so than her marriage to the enigmatic Charles Lindbergh.
The diffident, idealistic Anne at the beginning of the novel is not the Anne at its end. During the course of her marriage to Charles, she suffered unimaginable heartbreak when her first child was kidnapped and murdered, confusion about her role in her rigid husband's life and inconceivable betrayal by a man with the title of "hero." This book was obviously well researched and provides an insight, although fictionalized, into the complicated marriage of two diverse individuals whose mark on 20th century history is well known.
The diffident, idealistic Anne at the beginning of the novel is not the Anne at its end. During the course of her marriage to Charles, she suffered unimaginable heartbreak when her first child was kidnapped and murdered, confusion about her role in her rigid husband's life and inconceivable betrayal by a man with the title of "hero." This book was obviously well researched and provides an insight, although fictionalized, into the complicated marriage of two diverse individuals whose mark on 20th century history is well known.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book and it sure showed me what a jerk Charles lindberg was and I'm wondering if this book was around at the time he seemed to be so popular I'm wondering if this would have changed Americas perception of him . I felt sorry for anne she certainly put up with a lot from this man and even after his death she had to carry on the perception that American had of him . kudos to mrs lindberg I hope she rests in peace and re united with her first child that was kidnapped and murdered .
Had high hopes for enjoying this book, as I enjoy reading works by Melanie Benjamin, and I love aviation. Of course, many of us know a little about Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh, his and her famous aviation feats, the tragic loss of their child, etc. But the true personalities of these individuals kept me from enjoying the read.
Charles was a cold and manipulating bully, and Anne was just so spineless that I couldn't feel any empathy for either of them. Almost made it to the half-way mark (page 142) when I gave up.
Charles was a cold and manipulating bully, and Anne was just so spineless that I couldn't feel any empathy for either of them. Almost made it to the half-way mark (page 142) when I gave up.
Excellent book - although fiction, read just like an autobiography
Wow! I learned a lot about the Lindbergh family and a lot about Anne Morrow Lindbergh. She is a hero in her own right. This was an exceedingly well written book.
Powerful view of life as wife of Charles Lindbergh. Anne Mottow Lindbergh was also an aviator, partnering with her husband. Benjamin reveals Anne's struggles to be herself alongside a powerful force, her husband.
Most enjoyable read with lots of information about a family similar to the Lindberg's..who knew he was such a controlling person. I recommend it for a good easy read.
Melanie Benjamin takes on one of the greatest heroes of the twentieth century in her new book, "The Aviator's Wife." The story is told by Anne Morrow, soon to become Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
Colonel Lindbergh is as handsome and boyish as the newsreels have shown him to be when Anne meets him. She is sure he will fall for her older sister, but to her surprise, he enjoys her quiet company and her willingness to chance an adventure. Though her life as an ambassador's daughter has prepared her for society, Anne is much more comfortable out of the spotlight. The same is true of Charles.
The excesses of a celebrity-mad culture disturb them at every turn. Charles and Anne have to fly to find their peace, their time to feel united in a cause. Once they are on the ground, photographers and reporters make their lives a misery. If they aren't given an interview, they make things up.
Benjamin ably handles the heartbreak of the loss of their first-born son, Charlie, when he is kidnapped. The fog of grief, the lack of privacy, and her husband's determination that he alone can solve the mystery contribute to the crisis in the household. Once the child's body is found, Charles instructs Anne that they must go on. They must not stop and grieve, for it will not bring him back.
Lindbergh comes off as a highly discipline and yet naive man, one who loves airplanes and adventures. He is not someone to hand out compliments or try to feel another's pain. All the while, Anne continues at his side: co-piloting, writing, visiting foreign countries.
Colonel Lindbergh is as handsome and boyish as the newsreels have shown him to be when Anne meets him. She is sure he will fall for her older sister, but to her surprise, he enjoys her quiet company and her willingness to chance an adventure. Though her life as an ambassador's daughter has prepared her for society, Anne is much more comfortable out of the spotlight. The same is true of Charles.
The excesses of a celebrity-mad culture disturb them at every turn. Charles and Anne have to fly to find their peace, their time to feel united in a cause. Once they are on the ground, photographers and reporters make their lives a misery. If they aren't given an interview, they make things up.
Benjamin ably handles the heartbreak of the loss of their first-born son, Charlie, when he is kidnapped. The fog of grief, the lack of privacy, and her husband's determination that he alone can solve the mystery contribute to the crisis in the household. Once the child's body is found, Charles instructs Anne that they must go on. They must not stop and grieve, for it will not bring him back.
Lindbergh comes off as a highly discipline and yet naive man, one who loves airplanes and adventures. He is not someone to hand out compliments or try to feel another's pain. All the while, Anne continues at his side: co-piloting, writing, visiting foreign countries.
An excellent insight to an exciting time in history.
Anne Morrow, middle daughter, smart, literate, reserved but not shy, always overshadowed by her first-born sister and not pampered like the youngest. These are the traits that made her attractive to America's number one hero of the early 20th century; Charles Lindbergh.
While Anne believed he was out of her league, he was concerned that she might be out of his league too. But to everyone's surprise he asked her to be his wife and share his lonely hours in the air. He was to overwhelm her with his manner and expectations at the beginning. But this would allow her to have huge accomplishments of her own, including setting many world records with him, and being the first woman to solo in a glider. Later she would be a best-selling author, as well as mother of 6.
This is a terrific book, a work of historical fiction, written as though by Anne herself. While Melanie Benjamin has taken such license and portrayed emotions and reactions no one can truly verify, she has done much research and has based the facts of the book on diaries, biographies, and other published works. But be careful not to get lost in thinking this is truly Anne's voice. This well written story will do just that.
Even if the only things you know about the Lindbergh's are that first solo transAtlantic flight and that their first child was sensationally kidnapped and murdered, this book will draw you in and make you wish you had known these people. I highly recommend this book.
While Anne believed he was out of her league, he was concerned that she might be out of his league too. But to everyone's surprise he asked her to be his wife and share his lonely hours in the air. He was to overwhelm her with his manner and expectations at the beginning. But this would allow her to have huge accomplishments of her own, including setting many world records with him, and being the first woman to solo in a glider. Later she would be a best-selling author, as well as mother of 6.
This is a terrific book, a work of historical fiction, written as though by Anne herself. While Melanie Benjamin has taken such license and portrayed emotions and reactions no one can truly verify, she has done much research and has based the facts of the book on diaries, biographies, and other published works. But be careful not to get lost in thinking this is truly Anne's voice. This well written story will do just that.
Even if the only things you know about the Lindbergh's are that first solo transAtlantic flight and that their first child was sensationally kidnapped and murdered, this book will draw you in and make you wish you had known these people. I highly recommend this book.
Very good book - anyone with special interest in Anne Lindbergh will not want to miss this.
