The aviator’s wife, by Melanie Benjamin

The aviator in question is our own "Spirit of St. Louis" Charles Lindbergh.  His wife, of course, is Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who became a bestselling author in her own right.  Most of us know the bare bones of the story – Lucky Lindy’s triumphal return from his solo flight across the ocean; the kidnapping and death of his and Anne’s first-born son at 18 months; his isolationist beliefs and adulation of Hitler prior to World War II, which soured many on their hero; and the sad revelations after his death that he had three, yes three, other families tucked away in Europe and seven children in addition the five he had with his wife Anne.  This novel, told from Anne’s viewpoint, reveals much more and with more nuance than the above.  Anne was more than just his wife and an author, and very much his “co-pilot” in all senses.  How they grew apart as a couple is well explained. A page-turner and good historical fiction which led me to a greater understanding of their marriage and their impact on the early twentieth century’s imagination.  434 pp.