An interesting look at the first women who tried to fly the Atlantic. I was a bit unsettled by the constant jumping back and forth between the fliers ( )

Although I'm familiar with the name Amelia Earhart, I've never given much thought to whether other women made attempts to cross the Atlantic before her. "Crossing the Horizon" confirms that there were, in fact, other females vying for the same honor. Author Laurie Notaro focusses on three of them: Ruth Elder, Elsie Mackay, and Mabel Boll, telling their stories in a gripping way. The stories of the three aspirants are interwoven, adding to the interest.

It's obvious without reading the bibliography at the end that Notaro did extensive research, yet the story is told in an engaging manner, using a very readable style.

Recounting the actual flights brings home the perilous nature of the quest, particularly with the equipment and technology available at the time. The clash between the adventurous spirit of the female protagonists, and societal expectations of womens' role at the time, also comes through clearly.

Like me, you may find yourself cheering for (or against) particular characters in the novel -- but I'd recommend saving a check of the internet to confirm the outcome until you've finished the book. The final chapters were particularly compelling, and I found myself unable to put the book down as I approached the conclusion.

All in all an enjoyable read.


( )

What a wonderful and fascinating story. These women were brave and determined to make history. They are the pioneers of our airline industry. Because of their bravery and some of their deaths, flying over the Atlantic became an everyday occurrence. I learned so much about the first women in aviation.

I won this book on Goodreads. ( )

Historical fiction that captures the real-life drama of the race to become the first female to cross the Atlantic by air. This book focuses on three very different women, an heiress, a socialite, and a beauty queen, and the lengths each went to in order to get planes and co-pilots. It's slow-paced in the beginning as the main characters get fleshed out but it takes off once the competition gets underway. I especially liked the tie-in with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the paranormal near the end. ( )

I was not previously familiar with these women's stories, so I'm glad Laurie Notaro has given me the opportunity. This historical fiction novel is about three women, 2 from America 1 from England, and their dream of flying across the Atlantic Ocean. The time is just after Charles Lindbergh's record-breaking flight, and they're inspired by this new age of aviation plus a dash of potential freedom from restricted societal roles. It took me awhile to sort out the numerous characters as the point of view switches often, but once invested I read during every spare minute to find out what would happen next. Very worthwhile book and well-written glimpse into a fascinating time and place. ( )