What if. What if you had taken a different path home one day or lived in a different age. Tracey Enerson Wood takes you into the lives of a tight sibling group of Katharine, Wilber and Orville Wright. The narrative is divided into each of these people telling their story. It's an easy and fascinating read taking you to the back story of how the Wright brothers developed the first aircraft. Of course, there is a woman behind the men and that is Katharine. It is this tight sibling promise to each other as they take this road together. It's the story of their sacrifices and rewards and their place in history. The author places you in the early 1900's with all the new inventions taking place and the wonder of the first flight. It is also the story of family and the love for each other. As a lover of historical fiction, I highly recommend this book and appreciate the opportunity of an advance copy by NetGalley in exchange for my review.

🛩Historians remember men who have made a mark in this world. It’s gratifying to learn about a woman who was left out until now – a woman who was the driving force behind the creation of a flying machine.

✈️Katharine Wright and her two brothers, Wilbur and Orville, put their heads together with mathematics, science, and instincts and worked diligently for years until the early 1900s when the first airplane was off the ground. With short chapters, the book takes the readers through the process of how they studied the movements of birds and developed prototypes until they were able to get the wings off the ground. It was slow going with each step, and at times, the pages were following the slow pace. However, I enjoyed learning about the mechanics of flying along with a mysterious romance on the side.

🛩This book was a fascinating learning experience that taught the reader so much in the process. It encompassed what I love most about historical fiction, which is learning about history so that we can keep it alive today. I think the thing I loved most was the siblings working all together to build something. I've read this author before and enjoyed her writing, but this one was my favorite by far.

I haven't done enough research to know how much of this was true but it was an interesting read about a famous event in history.

I learned so much about the Wright family and flight from this historical fiction novel. It was an easy read that didn’t get too technical explaining about flight and lift. It also had short chapters. The plot was very basic telling the story of the Wright’s lives as they experienced successes and failures. It got a little boring in the middle. It was nice to hear Katherine’s side of the story and how she influenced her brothers. She also had to make some difficult choices in her life. The ending was the best part of the book but was bittersweet with the details of Katherine’s death and how it affected those who loved her most. This felt more like a YA-read than an adult novel. It was an interesting read!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a little more sciency than I typically like, but the story was great! I didn’t realize the Wright Brothers had a sister, so I am grateful that I was able to read her story. She truly was a remarkable woman and really did some amazing things to help her brothers succeed. After reading this story, I really don’t think they would have been the ones to invent the airplane without her help. It’s not that she gave a lot of input on what to do, but she helped them with all other facets of their life and gave them the time to really evolve their invention. Would definitely recommend!!

In this fascinating triple-perspective historical fiction novel, readers follow Wilbur, Orville, and Katharine Wright from childhood, airplane testing, and the ensuing celebrity following their success at Kitty Hawk. Introducing Katharine Wright to readers in this fascinating overview of her and her brothers’ life, Tracey Enerson Wood uses her incredible character development and descriptions of the various settings to really bring this family and Katharine’s role in airplane development to life. An incredibly capable, competent, and intelligent protagonist, Katharine’s story is complicated, and this novel brings her role as the mastermind behind her brothers’ exploits and as the driving force behind her own life to the forefront of readers’ understandings of the Wright brothers. With some incredible historical details, complex characters and historical figures, and beautiful settings, the characters’ relationships really drive the novel and its plot forward. The information about Katharine’s life, the behind-the-scenes work of Kitty Hawk, aviation progress after the Kitty Hawk flight, and the Wright siblings’ dynamic are the real stars of the book, and Enerson Wood really brings all of these elements to life with incredible detail and such complex characters. Bringing this fascinating and overlooked historical woman to life, fans of female-centric historical fiction novels must read Tracey Enerson Wood’s latest incredible novel.

An exciting and timely look into the Wright family with a special and necessary emphasis on the women behind the amazing work that is usually remembered in connection with her brothers. This ought to be required reading!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on September 10, 2024.

This title immediately caught my attention because our family loves to cruise on Royal Caribbean. Now, I know you might be thinking I am crazy but on some of RC's bigger ships they have a show called Flight. It is a great show that is set to a wide range of music and tells the story of men's quest for flight from the very beginning through today including space travel. In this show, the Wright brothers have a scene at Kitty Hawk.

I found this story to be fascinating but also so sad. The Wright siblings did not live an easy life and experienced much heartache throughout their lives.

At times the story felt a little too textbook but I just skimmed through some of the technical parts and still found the book very interesting.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have enjoyed this author's novels before so I was really hyped for this one. I knew a bit about the Wright Brothers and their sister Katherine before starting this book. I also love historical biographical fiction. This book was enjoyable but missed the mark a bit in my opinion. I know that women's roles were limited during this time period, but I Katharine did help her brothers quite a bit in their work with their bicycle shop, their planes, and their family home life. She sacrificed dating and marriage to be around to take care of them. But I found Katharine's life portrayal as dull by the comparison of the facts of her life and thought the book could have added more to her role in the Wright Brothers legacy. I also would have liked to see her brothers acknowledge her more than they did for her aid to them. This book was worth reading and I have still recommended it to some friends who enjoy this type of book but it felt like the book could have added more based on the real life woman.

Definitely an interesting read. I knew absolutely nothing about Katharine Wright before reading this novel, so getting an in-depth view of her POV was fascinating. She was a force to be reckoned with and did so much work behind the scenes to help her brothers make their dream a reality. If Katharine had not been there to support their dreams, would Orville and Wilbur have managed things on their own, or would they be a mere footnote in our history books? I wonder. The writing flowed smoothly for the most part, but every now and then the pace seemed to get snagged on a bit too much technical detail. There were also some parts when I began to wonder when we were going to get back to talking about Katharine. We'll be using this book as part of our Community Reads in the spring, and I look forward to the discussion this book will generate.

3.5 stars!
This novel is about Katharine Wright- the one and only sister of the famous Wright Brothers. Katharine portrayed as the brain behind her brother's inventions and success. She was very close to them and has sacrificed her time and her own dreams to support the brother's vision. She worked with them and gave them suggestions, researched, argue and reasoned with them while taking care of them and their means, resources and budget. Katharine has seen the potential that her brothers' abilities does not end in just forever tinkering and fixing stuff. She knew that they can somehow create something to fly. And they did.
Each character was highlighted uniquely yet I still feel the other had overshadowed Katharine's story. Beautiful writing in general, with emphasis on family togetherness, sacrifice and believing in dreams and potentials. I have to admit that there were parts that were very slow and it took a great deal of effort to really get through them.
Regardless, this is a good novel, specially that it highlighted a woman figure that has contributed a lot to the world of aviation. Special thank you to SoourceBooks via Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange of my honest review.

I didn’t know much about the Wright Brothers before reading this, not only of their adventures before their flying machine, but that they even had a sister. This book is a historical recounting of Katherine, Orville, and Wilbur Wright and how Katherine was the logistical mind behind the scenes. I love reading stories about strong women, especially from history, and ther impact on things that I never knew.

The story is told through the perspective of all three Wright siblings. From their beginning, to their struggles, success, and tragedies. It’s always interesting to see just how different life was in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Katherine was an intelligent woman but the times she grew up in dictated that she had certain roles. Women could often be forgotten for their contributions to major events. We get to see in this book just how integral Katherine was from their first flight and afterwards.

This was a very good read and I love the knowledge I gained from it. Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy to read.

This is a well researched historical fiction novel about an overlooked woman. I would never have learned that the Wright brothers had a sister if not for this novel. I felt this was an important story to tell, and one I will think about often.

This book is written from the perspectives of each of the main characters with alternating chapters by Wilbur, Orville and Katherine relating their story. This is the second book about Katherine that I've read this year, and this was thoroughly researched, delving into the dopes and dreams that Katherine had, as well as the significant part she played in developing the first "flying machine."
After graduating from Oberlin College, Katherine only wished to teach high school Latin. She was passed over (in favor of a man) and became the chief cook and bottle washer for her father (the Bishop), and her 2 brothers, unless she was needed at the brothers' bicycle shop.
The story described Katherine's courage, achievements, love and losses, making her qualities of perseverance and determination foremost and integral to her brothers' success.
I thought that there was a little too much technical information in the first half of the book that slowed down the story for me. The author kept most of the brothers' chapters focused on their thoughts and calculations about developing their airplane, and very little on their daily lives.
I enjoyed learning about this woman who played a significant role in the development of airplanes that we enjoy today.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed are my own.

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Real Rating: 3.5* of five

Author Wood wrote <i><a href="https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-presidents-wife-historical-fiction.html" target="_blank">The President's Wife</a></i>, review linked, and now takes on another woman His-story (get it?) has chosen to ignore. The structure, using all three Wright siblings' voices, conveys the tragedy of the story so much better than an omniscient narrator could.

Historical fiction about overlooked women is almost always tendentious. This book is no exception. I will say that the facts are given prominence, but the act of betrayal by Orville during the story that costs Katharine her due place in the limelight made me so goddamned mad I had ro put the book down for a week. I won't spoil what it was...if I got furious, you should too.

And you readers who like the modern trend of recentering women in our history definitely should read this one. I won't rate it more highly because I'm not fond of the triumphalist tenor of the Kitty Hawk flight in our discourse. This is a corrective only to a part of that story.

Sourcebooks Landmark wants $8.99 for the Kindle version.

I just finished Katharine, the Wright Sister by Tracey Enerson Wood and here are my thoughts.

Everyone knows the story about the Wright brothers but history never sings the story of their sister, a woman just as intelligent as her high flying brothers.

The book focuses on 3 of the 5 Wright siblings. We get the POVs of Wilbur, Orville and Katharine. Katharine was the hub of their brilliance. She did a lot of the research and mastermining. I loved Katharines character. As someone who shares the same last name, no relation, as a child, I was fascinated by the Wright brothers and as an adult, I enjoyed the Katharine rabbit hole.

Katharine and the relationship with her brothers feels realistic and indicative of the times. I enjoyed learning more about her as a woman, sister and her belief in what they were doing. The writing was wonderful and brought this captivating historical event to life with ease and brilliance.

I binged the whole thing in one sitting. It was quite excellent!!

I love realistic historical fiction that follows true events and this one was excellent!! I wasn’t blown away with the POV of the brothers… I would have preferred just the story from her perspective but it didn’t spoil the read.

4.5 stars! Thank you to @bookmarked for my gifted copy of this wonderful novel.

Tracey Enerson Wood’s Katharine, The Wright Sister is a touching and gripping novel that reveals the extraordinary life of Katharine Wright, the unsung hero of the famous Wright brothers. In this book, you’ll learn that Katharine, the sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright, played a crucial role in their success. She was intelligent, dedicated, and sacrificed for their pursuit of flight.

The novel begins with the familiar tale of the Wright brothers’ humble beginnings, tracking their journey from running a bike shop in Dayton, Ohio, to their ultimate victory as the first men to achieve powered flight. But what makes this book different from other retellings is the way Wood tells it from Katharine’s point of view. Living at a time when women were usually pushed to the sidelines, Katharine broke the mould. She jumped right in with her brothers, offering all the support they needed - emotionally, logistically, and intellectually. This allowed them to focus solely on their groundbreaking experiments.

Wood’s portrayal of Katharine was both heartfelt and authentic. Her intelligence shines through as she deftly manages the business side of the Wright enterprise, effortlessly building connections with investors, journalists, and international dignitaries. Katharine’s significance in her brothers’ triumphs was undeniable; she was more than just a caregiver, she was a pivotal figure in their success. She played a vital role in the Wright brothers’ journey towards powered flight, sourcing essential materials and keeping their often delicate temperaments focused.

As the story develops, it becomes apparent that Katharine’s deep commitment to her brothers exacts a heavy toll on her own life. Wood expertly examines the complexities that emerge when personal drive, devotion to family, and societal demands clash. The consequences of an “impossible choice” ripple through the Wright family, casting a shadow of tragedy and forever altering their lives.

The true essence of Katharine, The Wright Sister lies in its profound exploration of the multifaceted emotions that reside within Katharine. Torn between her duty as an indispensable support system for her brothers and her own yearning for independence and joy, she struggles to find a balance. By slowly building towards this tension, the narrative underscores the weight of her haunting decision—a decision that resonates deeply with readers, who bear witness to the quiet, enduring sacrifices she silently endures throughout her existence.

For anyone intrigued by the untold stories of women who played crucial roles in significant historical events, this book is a must-read that offers a truly fulfilling experience.

Katherine Wright Haskell was aviation's unsung heroine, admired for her exemplary courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. She was a true feminist heroine at heart. This unique story is written with heart and verve. It is a heartfelt tribute to a  trailblazer, a gripping tale of unflinching determination and steadfast perseverance. Pioneers of the aviation industry, Katherine's brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, sustained flight of an engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft with the Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903. Katherine was actively involved in everything they did. In this captivating novel, Tracey Enerson Wood honours her rich and varied legacy, keeping it alive and vibrant for centuries to come. It is heartbreaking to read of the tragedy that separated Orville and Katherine, bringing them together only in the face of death. This is the sad end to a life well-lived for others.

Katherine, the Wright Sister by Tracey Enerson Wood is written from the perspective of the Wright siblings. There were five surviving Wright siblings, but it is Wilbur, Orville, and Katherine that this novel focuses on. We all know of the Wright brothers’ contribution to aviation history, however, the part that Katherine played has been often overlooked. She was their sounding board and their helpmate. She was their encouragement when needed and played an important and integral part in assisting with their research. It was good to read about a woman’s contribution to one of the greatest inventions of our times. Women are often overlooked or put in the background regarding their contributions to some of the greatest moments in history. This novel put Katherine Wright front and center. I enjoyed it very much.