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Book Jacket

Circling the Sun

An intoxicatingly vivid portrait of colonial Kenya and its privileged ...

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Excerpt
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Author Biography

Discuss Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

What did you think about Beryl's obligation to Frank? How did she overcome her cognitive dissonance about what she owed him?

7

Oct. 16, 2016
by barb23703

Do you understand how Beryl could pursue Denys even though he was involved with Karen? Did you view the friendship between the women as a true one, despite its complications?

23

Oct. 05, 2016
by jeanniet

Do you think that Beryl truly discovers what she was meant for by the end of the novel?

10

Oct. 05, 2016
by jeanniet

After Jock's drunken attack, D fires Beryl. Do you understand his decision? Do you feel it's fair that Beryl was being judged so harshly for the incident?

12

Oct. 05, 2016
by jeanniet

Movie vs book

15

Oct. 05, 2016
by jeanniet

Do you feel Beryl's father was a good parent? Do you think Beryl thought he was?

11

Sep. 21, 2016
by annar

Why do you think the author chose the title Circling the Sun?

15

Sep. 21, 2016
by annar

How would Beryl's life have been different if her Mother had stayed in Kenya? Would she have still been a strong, determined woman?

6

Sep. 21, 2016
by annar

Do you think Beryl was more made for life in Kenya than the others in her circle? Is there a place in your life that you would describe the same way?

11

Sep. 21, 2016
by nancyh

When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

7

Sep. 20, 2016
by barb23703

Karen says, "We strike such dark bargains for love, don't we?" What do you think she meant by that. Was it true then? Is there any truth to it today?

8

Sep. 20, 2016
by barb23703

Beryl says, "Work does more than pay your way... It gives you a reason to go on." Do you think her peers would have been able to comprehend her meaning? What role does work have in your life?

16

Sep. 20, 2016
by barb23703

Do you feel Clutt was a sympathetic character?

17

Sep. 17, 2016
by julianna

Have you read Beryl's memoir, "West With the Night"? Have you read other books about this period in Kenyan/East African history? If so, how do you think they compare?

14

Sep. 16, 2016
by amandaa

How do you think Clara rationalized leaving Beryl in Africa?

22

Sep. 16, 2016
by amandaa

When Beryl becomes a mother herself, she is determined not to act as her own mother did. Do you feel she succeeds?

14

Sep. 16, 2016
by juliaa

Left hanging

4

Sep. 15, 2016
by tracyb

Beryl is forced to be independent from a very young age. How do you think this shaped her personality?

12

Sep. 10, 2016
by barb23703

When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

8

Sep. 06, 2016
by debrav

Nature and the natural order of things

1

Aug. 30, 2016
by melanieb

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