Great Circle

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of antigay bias, emotional abuse, child abuse, and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. In what ways does the dual timeline structure of Great Circle illuminate Marian’s and Hadley’s journeys differently than a more chronological approach might have?

2. What message does the novel ultimately convey about our ability to know another person’s true story? Consider how this compares to Shipstead’s Seating Arrangements, which also explores the gaps between public appearance and private reality.

3. What significance do you find in the title Great Circle beyond its literal reference to Marian’s flight path?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. When have you felt the same kind of freedom that Marian experiences while flying? What experiences or activities generate this feeling for you? 

2. The novel presents many characters who reinvent themselves or assume new identities. Which character’s journey of reinvention resonated most strongly with you and why?

3. Marian and Caleb maintain a lifelong connection despite never fully committing to each other. What relationships in your life follow this pattern of intermittent but enduring significance?

4. How have you navigated societal expectations that conflict with your sense of self?

5. Marian refuses to be indebted to anyone, viewing debt as a threat to her independence. Reflect on a time when you felt uncomfortably obligated to someone else. How did this feeling affect your relationship?

6. Jamie struggles to capture the essence of his subjects through his art, believing no painting can truly reflect reality. What experiences or feelings have you found impossible to adequately express or share with others?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel portrays the barriers faced by female aviators in the early 20th century. What similar obstacles exist for women entering traditionally male-dominated fields today?

2. Both Ruth and Eddie conceal their sexual identities through a marriage of convenience, while Marian explores her sexuality more freely. What does this contrast reveal about the evolution of societal attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals across different time periods?

3. Hadley struggles with public scrutiny and having her private life commodified for public consumption. What does the novel suggest about the price of fame and the relationship between public personas and authentic selves?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel presents flight as both literal transportation and metaphorical escape. How does this dual meaning evolve throughout Marian’s life story?

2. What parallels and contrasts do you notice between Marian’s and Hadley’s character arcs?

3. Jamie’s paintings become increasingly abstract as he realizes the impossibility of capturing reality through art. How does this convey the novel’s larger theme about the limits of representation?

4. What is the significance of the recurring references to the story of Sitting-in-the-Water-Grizzly? Does the story help with character development? Foreshadowing?

5. Examine the portrayal of Marian’s abusive marriage to Macqueen and its lasting effects on her ability to form relationships with others.

6. The novel contains numerous parent-child relationships marked by absence, from Marian and Jamie’s abandonment to Hadley’s orphaning to Adelaide discovering that Jamie is her father. What statement does the book make about the inheritance of trauma or resilience?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you could reinvent yourself completely, like Marian did in New Zealand, what identity would you create, and what aspects of your current life would you maintain or discard?

2. Imagine you are Hadley discovering the truth about Marian’s survival. Would you reveal this information to the world or respect her choice to remain anonymous? What factors would influence your decision?

3. Craft an alternative ending where Eddie chooses to complete the journey with Marian rather than staying behind in Antarctica. How might both their lives unfold differently?

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