This is a much-needed novel in a racially tense country. I love stories like this - ones that blow our misconceptions completely upside down, upsetting the apple cart of the narrative that is our American history.

Bessie, an African-American slave during the time of the Wright brothers' first flight, dreams of flying as she picks cotton. Ending up in Chicago, Bessie seeks funding for this newfound love from two powerful Black men—Robert Abbott, creator and publisher of the Chicago Defender, and Jesse Binga, the founder of Chicago’s first Black bank. One becomes her mentor and the other, her lover. At the age of twenty-eight, Bessie becomes the first woman to receive her pilot's license and learn incredibly dangerous stunts from German and French combat pilots. She soon learns that in the air, there is no prejudice. No racism in the clouds.

For the longest time, I always thought Amelia Earhart was the first woman pilot. It is amazing what gets left out of history. Thank God for Carole Hopson and her own experience as a pilot to bring about this beautiful heart-wrenching novel. I found Bessie's character arc to be compelling, bold, and magnetic. I hope to read more by Carole Hopson. Growing up in a family of private pilots, this book called to me and did not disappoint!

Thank you Carole Hopson, NetGalley, and Henry Holt & Co. for this amazing eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Surprising Flight into History
As someone who doesn’t typically gravitate towards historical fiction, I must admit that “A Pair of Wings” by Carole Hopson was a delightful surprise. I initially felt a pang of guilt for taking so long to read this ARC, but I’m glad I finally took the plunge.
Hopson’s vivid storytelling brought the life of Bessie Coleman to life in a way that was both informative and inspiring. Her journey from a young girl in Texas to a pioneering aviator is a testament to the power of human spirit and the pursuit of dreams.
As I drove past Bessie Coleman Road in Chicago, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and connection to this remarkable woman. It was a timely reminder of her enduring legacy and the impact she continues to have on generations to come.
If you’re looking for a captivating and inspiring read, I highly recommend “A Pair of Wings.” It’s a historical fiction novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

With A Pair of Wings Carole Hopson provides her readership the opportunity to learn more (if they knew anything) about Bessie Coleman - a pioneer aviatrix busting the ceiling with her own set of wings - a pilot in every sense of the word.

Bessie is the daughter of a former slave - no easy road for her family - but Bessie has no patience for that kind of settlement. She ups and moves on to places that can help her with her dream - to fly. She finds backers, and one points her to (and pays the way) France, where she has a chance not available in these United States - to attend flight school and earn wings just like every other human slipping earth's surly bonds.*

An interesting read, which includes the author's notes and endpapers providing her motivations for writing this debut novel, and describes her own path also pointed skyward - albeit a much easier one than Bessie's, thanks to the pioneers who'd found a way around and through career blockades long posted in decades past. From me - All the stars - certainly for Bessie, but as much for Carole Hopson, who shows us by this writing Bessie's dream and her fight for it.

*Bessie's path reminded me of many others who died doing what they loved, and John Gillespie Magee's poem 'High Flight' catches the euphoria of flight the best - (I am particularly thrilled by the use of exclamation point at the moment of epiphany) -

'Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . .

Up, up the long delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.'

*A sincere thank you to Carole Hopson, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #APairofWings #NetGalley

This is a very well told and thought out telling of Bessie Coleman’s life. I have always had an interest in aviatrix and to see the struggles that Coleman went through to achieve something truly remarkable was fascinating. This story also focused on her life outside of aviation with some first loves and mistakes made along the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

It has taken me a while to compile my thoughts around this book. I started it but stopped reading it shortly after I began because of a unnecessary detailed sex scene. I then picked it back up as I wanted to know about Bessie Coleman. Thankfully, that was oddly placed and did not happen again. Weird.

This is a historical fiction book about Bessie Coleman, the first black woman to become a pilot/aviator.. Her story is fascinating, no doubt. Her life played a very significant role civil rights during the 1920's . She grew up in Texas and moved to Chicago to chase her dreams and to find freedom from the slavery in the south. She then moved to Europe to train. Her life in Europe was very interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed learning about her and loved her fighting spirit. It felt more like a nonfiction biography type book at times. It was a very long book and much of it seemed like it could have been condensed. Bessie was a strong woman and desired to give others the same chance to succeed as she had. Very inspirational. It had a sad ending as well. She lived and died doing what she loved and being true to herself. There is a quote in the book that Bessie recalls hearing her father say to her. Bessie makes a mistake while at training school and remembers this, "Don't stay inside your mistake. Take from it. It is already in the past. Only carry its lesson into your future." At the time I read that, I really needed to hear these words. Bessie did just that and her life was something remarkable.

As this is a debut novel for Carole Hopson, I feel her writing is great. Very detailed and flowed well. It is clear she knows a lot about aviation. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Carole Hopson’s debut novel takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the life of Bessie Coleman, a pioneering aviatrix who pursued freedom in the skies when such aspirations were daunting for a Black woman. Set in early 20th-century America, this riveting tale spans from Texas cotton fields to the heights of European skies, exploring themes of perseverance and identity.

Hopson’s vivid storytelling brings to life young Bessie’s first glimpse of an airplane, sparking her relentless drive to fly. Despite societal norms and racial barriers, Bessie’s determination leads her from Chicago’s segregated streets to France’s flight schools.

The depth of Hopson’s research enriches the story, particularly through Bessie's relationships with supporters such as newspaper publisher Robert Abbott and banker Jesse Binga. Yet, it is Bessie’s fierce independence and unwavering faith that truly propel her.

Though the technical details of flying may be dense for some, aviation enthusiasts will appreciate the authenticity. Hopson, a United Airlines captain, masterfully captures the thrill of flight. But Bessie’s struggles with loneliness, self-doubt, and love make her triumph even more poignant.

Ultimately, Bessie’s journey isn’t just about her personal freedom but also about opening doors for others. Hopson’s portrayal of Queen Bess is a powerful reminder of resilience and determination, encouraging readers to pursue their dreams despite the obstacles. A Pair of Wings is a moving tribute to a trailblazer whose story deserves recognition. 4.5 stars.

** Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy of this incredible novel. The opinions are my own.

Highly recommend! I’m a sucker for a female-centric historical book where the title doesn’t relegate the female protagonist to the profession of one of the men in her life!! (Books called things like “The Candlenaker’s niece” or “the Clerk’s daughter”)

Bessie Coleman was cool. Bessie Coleman was fly (pun intended). Bessie Coleman was a bad ass!

The author provides so much wonderful insight and imagery into Bessie’s life. However sometimes the writing comes off too dry and isn’t sure if it should read like a novel or a historical biography.

I wouldn’t recommend this read to everyone, but there are a strong number of people in my life who would devour this book!

This is a well researched, fascinating historical story. Not only was the life of Bessie Coleman captured in an interesting way, but quality detail of the effects, good and bad, of the Great Migration was also represented. I haven't read much set in this time period and greatly appreciated the opportunity to do so. Thanks #NetGalley

4.5 Stars. A fascinating and important history, well told. What kept it from being 5 stars is that it could have been edited down a bit — it is clear there was so much history to relay that the story got a little dense — and also some of the main character reflections and reactions about encountering racism and sexism sounded a little naive or contrived at some places. But a hands-down fantastic debut novel that I hope gets widely read.

Bessie Coleman “is the only American flyer who has ever flown over the ex-Kaiser’s palaces at Berlin and Potsdam, and the only woman possessing an international license entitling her to make flights anywhere on the globe. She has the distinction of flying the largest plane flown by any woman in the world. She made exhibition flights at the American Legion convention in Kansas City, in the presence of Lloyd George of England, Prime Minister Briand of France, and other world notables—enviable recognition among flyers of both sexes throughout the world.”

“And like the scientific progress that was taking place, we were next in line to ascend. Our own institutions—newspapers, banks, entertainment, education, and politics—were all being designed by us and invented from scratch. I was going to be part of this new group of mavericks. To become the first female Negro flyer I would have to conquer not only gravity but also America’s rules about what I could or could not achieve. In order to do that, I had to possess just two things: optimism and fearlessness.”

The author’s note provides some of the answers I was curious about, about how the author came to know and care about this topic and how much of the story are factual. The author’s own relationship with the story is deeply personal and authoring this book was clearly a deep labor of love and act of service.

“When I was thirty-four years old, I went to a Women in Aviation and an Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Convention. I wanted to learn how one would become a professional pilot. From the outside, the club of aviators appeared an impenetrable line to someone who looked like me, because I had never seen a Black woman, or a woman of any hue, walk the flight line or the corridors of an airport before… I was a college graduate, I had earned an Ivy League master’s degree, and yet I, an arguably well-read Black woman, who yearned to fly, had never even known that Bessie Coleman existed. She was missing from every textbook I’d ever read, and twenty years ago, she was missing from the common lexicon of greats who stoke our imagination and make us believe that there is greatness in our being, because we have seen what greatness looks like in them, our heroes. How could the fact that Coleman existed be hidden in plain sight?”

I agree. There’s no reason for Bessie Coleman’s name to not have the same recognition and historical prominence as Amelia Earnhardt, the Wright Brothers, George Washington Carver….. I hope Carole Hopson is successful in sparking more writing, attention, lesson plans and general awareness of this courageous and impactful woman.

An excellent novel about Bessie Coleman and her journey to become an aviatrix. I loved that she got started in Chicago and that I learned more about the black history in the city.

"A Pair of Wings” by Carole Hopson is a captivating historical novel inspired by the life of Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license. Set in the early 20th century, the novel follows Bessie Coleman’s journey from the cotton fields of Texas to the skies over Europe. It is a story of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

The story begins with Bessie’s childhood in Texas, where she first dreams of flying after seeing an airplane soar overhead. As the daughter of a woman born into slavery, Bessie’s path is fraught with challenges. She moves to Chicago during the Great Migration, where she works as a manicurist and gains the support of influential Black men like Robert Abbott and Jesse Binga. Unable to find flight training in the U.S. due to racial and gender barriers, Bessie learns French and travels to Europe. There, she trains with seasoned French and German combat pilots, mastering death-defying stunts and earning her pilot’s license two years before Amelia Earhart.

I enjoyed how the book took on historical references by vividly portraying the racial and gender discrimination of the era, highlighting Bessie’s struggle to break into the male-dominated field of aviation. It was an honor to read with Bessie’s character being so richly developed, showcasing her courage, tenacity, and passion for flying. I felt that her relationships with Abbott and Binga add depth to her personal story. For me, the detailed descriptions of Bessie’s flying experiences, including her signature stunts, are thrilling and immersive. It was amazing to me that the author's own background as a pilot added authenticity to these scenes.

This was my first Carole Hopson book and I felt her writing was both engaging and informative. She skillfully blends historical facts with fictional elements, creating a narrative that is both educational and entertaining. Her prose is descriptive, bringing to life the settings and characters with vivid detail.

This was a compelling read for ne that celebrates the indomitable spirit of Bessie Coleman. It is a testament to the power of dreams and the courage it takes to pursue them, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and aviation enthusiasts alike.

3.5 stars

There is so much to love about this book. Not only is it a celebration of Bessie Coleman, an aviation/Civil Rights pioneer, but it is also a deep dive into African American history of the early 20th century. As a US History teacher, I marveled at the mentions of the Great Migration, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Mary McLeod Bethune, and more. What kept this from being a 5-star read was that it was just too long. There were so many unnecessary details. If this had been about 100 pages shorter, it would have been 5-stars! The other thing I found unnecessary was the explicit scenes between Bessie and her married lover. I felt it detracted from the story, and would limit the audience. One picks up a Christina Lauren or Emily Henry book expecting spice. It was not expected or necessary in a fictionalized biography of such a pioneer. I also felt that some of the family scenes in Chicago detracted from the story. Her brother's foul-mouthed wife did nothing to showcase Bessie's life. Also, the language throughout the book seemed to bounce between Roaring Twenties slang and modern day expressions.

I had never heard of Bessie Coleman until I started collecting Barbie Inspiring Women Barbies and came across a Bessie Coleman doll. She stands proudly in my classroom, between similar dolls of Madame C.J. Walker and Rosa Parks.. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this book and learn more about her life. Thank you so much to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Many thanks to both Henry Holt & Co. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of A Pair of Wings. The expected publication date is August 20, 2024.

3½ Stars

Bessie Coleman was a fearless woman who overcame an amazing number of cultural, racial, and economic obstacles in her quest to learn to fly. I would love to go back in time to meet her.

I feel the author did a great job describing Bessie's life on the pages of A Pair of Wings. What she went through to get anyone to give her a chance to learn how to fly, and then to finally LET her fly were riveting.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel the explicit sex scenes added anything to the book. There was so much about Bessie I wanted to learn about! Becoming the first African American/Native American female aviator was huge and that was where my interest lay.

Most of the book was fascinating, however. What an inspiration Queen Bess was!

“A Pair of Wings” by Carole Hopson is Ms. Hopson’s debut novel. This is an awesome story about Aviatrix and heroine Bessie Coleman. Bessie was the tenth of thirteen children born in Waxahachie, Texas to a family of African American and Native American heritage.

As one would deduce, life for Bessie Coleman was not easy. Her dream was to fly planes. No flight school in the United States would train an African American woman. This did not stop Bessie. She learned French and made her way to France tin order to fulfill her dream. She became the first black female aviator earning her FAI (Federation Aeronautique International) pilots license on June 15, 1921. (A full two years prior to Ms. Earhart obtaining hers)

Ms. Hopson does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into Bessie’s life and time. While the story itself is considered historical fiction, Ms. Hopson has thoroughly and meticulously researched Bessie’s life. The story is written in the first person so the reader feels what Bessie feels with all it’s ups and downs. Bessie gives the reader a glimpse of fortitude not found in many people. To follow her dreams she left everything she knew behind which is not an easy thing to do. While she didn’t have the financial backing of the other famous Aviatrix she never let lack of funding deter her. Her other goal after learning to fly was to spark the imaginations of others to open and own a flight school for students of color. She wanted to create the opportunities that were denied to her.

I think one thing that struck me was how vivid Bessie’s flights were. Well I always heard that you should write that of which you know. Well, Ms. Hopson in her second act, decided to fulfill her life long dream to become a pilot. She is now a Captain for United Airlines. I highly recommend this debut novel. I totally enjoyed this fascinating novel and was delighted to learn about Bessie Coleman.

I would like to thank Ms. Hopson, Hernry Holt & Co. and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Pair of Wings is a novel about the impressive and fascinating life of Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn a pilots license. Because of her gender and race, Ms. Coleman had to jump many hurdles to chase her childhood dream of flying. Bessie had to move to France and learn French to accomplish her goal and become an aviatrix. In 1921, she became the first African American to accomplished earning the FAI certification- an international pilot's license.

Through the story we also get a glimpse into African American history in the early 20th century with references to the Great Migration, W.E.B. DuBois, Bessie Smith, Marcus Garvey, and Booker T. Washington. We learn about Ms. Coleman through this fictionalized account of her life, and the author does a great job of drawing the reader in as we follow her life and her pursuit of her dream.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co, the author, and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Pair of Wings is an adventurous novel inspired by the true life of pioneer aviatrix Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman pilot. The story begins when Bessie spots an airplane flying over her head as she is working the Texas cotton fields. She knew it was freedom in those wings.

Bessie moves to Chicago then to Europe, where she learns French and earns her pilot's license. She learns death-defying stunts from French and German combat pilots. While there is no prejudice in the air, there are challenges on the ground that Bessie grapples with all while planning a show in the sky that will awe the world.

A Pair of Wings is inspiring, insightful and beautifully written. It celebrates the life of an aviation icon. The author is an airline captain that draws upon her personal experience for the finer details of this new novel based on true events. I can appreciate her storytelling without using jargon and details that would confuse a regular reader. She could have easily went nerd girl but kept it relatable and interesting. Hopson also does a great job of capturing life in the 1920s. Worth the read!

Happy Early Pub Day, Carole Hopson! A Pair of Wings will be available Tuesday, August 20.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Why aren’t more people talking about Bessie Coleman?

“A Pair of Wings” is a captivating historical fiction that brings to life the extraordinary journey of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot's license. The author skillfully intertwines factual history with imaginative narrative, painting a vivid portrait of Coleman's struggles and triumphs in a society that often sought to limit her potential.

I definitely learned a thing or two while enjoying this book!

This book hits a specific niche of mine, and that is stories of trailblazing women. This book was absolutely beautiful and I am not going to forget it anytime soon. Hopson did a wonderful job of bringing this story to life for me

What a wonderful story! A great historical fiction novel that highlights the life of Bessie Coleman, a little-known figure in aviation history.
Great for historical fiction fans and anyone interested in aviation.

aviation, historical-places-events, historical-novel, Black-African-American-history, barnstorming, daredevil, 1920s, bravery, memories, women-in-history, women-of-color, historical-figures, historical-research, history-of-flight, trailblazing*****

I've read a few books including praise and more for aviatrix Bessie Coleman but never one as detailed in relating her life and the lives of the "Negroes" in the US in the 20th century. This book is based in fact but wrapped up in prose. Factual details do not, after all, record conversations or emotions. This book is more than an excellent read, but a sneaky device to teach those readers who only read specific genres that history and well researched fiction are what they are missing in their lives. Do not miss this read! But you have to get a print copy to see the photographs.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital e-galley from Henry Holt and Co. via NetGalley. Thank you!
#APairofWings #Aviatrix #HistoricalFiction #WomenAviators #BlackAmericanHistory #WomenInHistory