Another historical fiction to add to my collection of true stories I previously knew little about before reading.

A PAIR OF WINGS centers around the remarkable true life pioneer aviatrix Bessie Coleman, a Black woman who learned to fly.

I loved the audio performance, which was narrated by Alaska Jackson, and really brought the story to life.

*many thanks to Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I am ashamed to say that before this book, I had never heard of Bessie Coleman. After listening to Carole Hopson’s A PAIR OF WINGS , narrated by Alaska Jackson, I can happily say I went straight to researching to get more information about this amazing and strong woman. Bessie overcame so many hardships and fought hard to make her dream of becoming a pilot a reality, hoping to inspire other African American men and women to learn, as well as provide a school to train them. How many people would save all their money, learn a different language, then go to a different country, run miles each way, to achieve her dream. She becomes an elite pilot and continues her training, working hard at her dreams, until her tragic death doing what she loved.
Jackson does a fantastic job as narrator. Every time I listened I was quickly drawn into Bessie’s world. Thank you, Carole Hopson, for bringing this amazing woman to the modern world’s attention.
Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the early opportunity to listen to this. All opinions are my own and freely given. #MacAudio2024 #MacAudio2025

This was a fascinating look at the hurdles and obstacles that Bessie Coleman, a black woman, faced in the 1920’s as she dreamed of training as a pilot. Since she hit a wall in the U.S., she moved to Europe and trained in France. But she still faced sexism and racism when she returned to the U.S. I loved this book as I learned about a little-known woman in history breaking barriers.

4.5 stars

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. For those who prefer audiobooks, the narrator was excellent! 4.5 stars.

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

A Pair of Wings is the debut novel of Carole Hopson, journalist, commercial airline pilot, and now published author. It’s based on the life of Bessie Coleman who was born in Texas in 1892 and was a pioneer in aviation history. I’m embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t aware of Ms. Coleman or her contributions before listening to this audiobook narrated by Alaska Jackson.

Facing discrimination in the US, Ms. Coleman pursued her dream of flying all the way to France to attend flight school. In 1921, she became the first American women to earn an international pilot’s license. However, she didn’t just want to fly a plane, she became a stunt pilot and used her skills to raise funds to create a flight school for Black men and women.

The novel shares events in her personal and professional life, both of which were filled with challenges. Readers should know that the plot has one very open-door bedroom scene. I didn’t research Ms. Coleman’s life prior to reading the book to avoid ‘spoilers.’.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for early access to the audiobook.

This audiobook brought to live Bessie Coleman in the best of ways, and it is such a shame I didn't learn about her before now. I thought Alaska Jordan did a great job and I highly recommend the audiobook.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.

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

Grabbed this ALC because of the interesting history of Bessie Coleman, a Black woman who learned to fly during the dawn of aviation. However, the first 1/3 of the book felt too heavy with history, like lists of every person or action of the time, to the point that it felt like adding more names was more important than telling the story. My eyes glazed over for a little bit. I was more invested as we started to learn about her flying abilities. She had lots of talent and courage while inspiring future flyers, which was her main goal. The author was one of those inspired to fly then write this novel to pay homage. It will be a book many readers of historical fiction will enjoy. Hand to both those who like HF and interests in flying. Thanks NetGalley for the ALC copy.

Loved this book! Bessie was so fascinating and a true inspiration. I didn’t care for the narrator though which made it difficult to get through at times.

Wow, what a facinating woman Bessie Coleman was! While I enjoyed the story I did not enjoy the narrator and for that reason I lowered my star rating since this was an audio review.

3.5 rounded down. I enjoyed this story and learning more about a strong woman who was a pioneer in piloting but it was a bit long-winded at times and I had trouble staying engaged in the story.

This book.... WOW!!! I had no idea about Bessie Coleman! She was a real pilot! The first woman... First person of color to hold a international pilots licence. That's a huge accomplishment.

The story covers Bessies life from a young woman, to making the decision to become a pilot and saving her money to go to France and become what she was destined to do..

The book moved me in ways I haven't been moved in a long time. It was full of raw emotion and a captivating story of a woman who knew what she wanted and she took it by the horns.

I did not like the narrator. I wish they had used someone else.

The story was amazing, the characters really felt real and vibrant.

Highly recommend

4 stars

5 Stars

WOW what an amazing story. I had never heard of Bessie Coleman and that is damn shame! What this woman accomplished during a time that was not friendly to African Americans OR women is nothing short of astonishing. She was such a great person to look up to. This is a MUST read!

Now lets talk about the narrator Alaska Jackson! So so so good! They was she was able to do all of the accents was top notch! 5 Stars to her as well.

Thank you to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio book.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted audiobook. While I was interested in the subject matter, I couldn't get past the narrator's heavy, fake Southern accent to listen to the rest of the story. I may try it as an e-book instead.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liked it, fun while I was reading it
This book tells the story of Bessie Coleman, an early black, female aviatrix. It's well done and I liked the structure of how her history was revealed. Her life was extraordinary and that definitely comes across, but at times, we sometimes get lost in details that don't add to her legendary story. In those parts, it unnecessarily dragged. Having said all that, I had never heard about her and am so glad I now know about her accomplishments.

The narrator, Alaska Jackson, did a good job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, with what expression/intension, and the appropriate accent. 

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and author Carole Hopson for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. A Pair of Wings is out August 20, 2024.

A Pair of Wings: A Novel by Carole Hopson was the riveting story of Bessie Coleman, a young black woman whose greatest desire was to learn how to fly an airplane from a very young age. Eventually, Bessie became known as a pioneer aviatrix. Early on, Bessie was mesmerized and greatly influenced by the success the Wright brothers achieved with their first flight. A Pair of Wings was inspired by Bessie Coleman’s love for planes and her desire to learn how to fly one. This dream stemmed from Bessie’s early years as a young girl growing up on a share cropper farm, picking cotton in Texas with her mother and some of her siblings.

Finally in 1915, Bessie knew if she was ever going to have a chance of making her dream come true, she had to leave Texas. Bessie made her way to Chicago where her two older brothers lived. Over the course of the next many years, Bessie met influential men who supported her dream and believed in her. The odds of her dream coming true were not likely. The early 1900’s were not favorable or accepting of any women who wanted to learn to fly a plane and even less for black women. Bessie defied all odds. She became the first Black female to earn an international pilot’s license from France. The only pilot’s school that had accepted Bessie into flight school had been located in France. Bessie Coleman had to fight and prove herself every single day not only as a woman but as a Black woman. She accomplished something that no one else had come close to accomplishing. Although she died much too young, her achievements were remarkable. She was driven, determined and so courageous.

I had never heard anything about Bessie Coleman and her dreams, challenges or accomplishments before reading A Pair of Wings by Carole Hopson. Women’s aspirations were so stifled back in the early 1900’s and Black women’s even more so. I admire the fight and determination that Bessie possessed in order to achieve her dream. She did have people who believed in her and helped her but she was met with so many obstacles that she had to overcome. I listened the audiobook that was very well narrated by Alaska Jackson. A Pair of Wings was Carole Hopson’s debut book. I look forward to seeing what she writes in the future. Overall, I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook A Pair of Wings: A Novel by Carole Hopson through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This historical fiction novel follows the life of Bessie Coleman, the world's first woman of color to become an aviator, bringing her triumphs and setbacks to life.

From the harrowing first scene of this book I was drawn in and mostly enjoyed learning about Coleman's achievements. There were parts that read a bit too much like passages from a textbook. A couple of explicit sex scenes involving Coleman's lover, banker Jesse Binga, were unnecessary and felt out of place in a historical fiction novel. Otherwise, the audiobook was an interesting listen and the narrator did a fine job.

The author herself is a pilot, which I think is really cool.

3.5 stars.

This is an inspiring and lovingly-written novel about real-life aviatrix Bessie Coleman. As a black woman living in early twentieth century America, her journey to become a plane pilot was a series of never-ending obstacles.

The author, Carole Hopson, is also a pilot. Her knowledge of the subject matter really shines through the narrative.

The audiobook is narrated by Alaska Jackson. Her performance was very immersive. I had no trouble believing that Bessie Coleman herself was telling the story of her life.

Note: This is a story of a black woman trying to succeed in a field dominated by white men during a time when that was not socially acceptable. It’s not all sunshine and roses. The book opens with a plane crash followed by a desperate surgery. Also, the actual Bessie Coleman’s life ended in an abrupt tragedy. The book reflects this. You may want to mentally prepare before jumping in.

A Pair of Wings was an excellent read. I loved the character study and the writing felt propulsive. I would read more from this author again.

This historical fiction novel follows the life of pioneer aviatrix, Bessie Coleman. It is told in first person by Bessie in four parts, covering her life after she moved from Waxahachie, Texas to Chicago in 1915, where she lived with family and found work in a barber shop as a manicurist to her time in France training to fly since no one in the US would agree to train a black woman to fly planes at that time. The last two parts cover her career flying as a barnstorming stunt flier and her comeback after the injurious crash that kicks off the prologue in 1923 Santa Monica.

I admit that I had never heard of Bessie Coleman before receiving the offer for this audiobook, but I thought it would make an educational read and I was right. I found the jobs available and treatment of a black woman during this time in both Chicago and Waxahachie to be informative. The audiobook was narrated by Alaska Jackson, and I really enjoyed her portrayal of this brave courageous woman who traveled the world to follow her passion despite those who would seek to hold her back due to her race and gender. Her story was truly inspiring.

The early parts of the book introduced her family and background, her determination to become an aviatrix and defy the traditional roles designated by others. Her family was both loving and supportive as well as complicated and antagonistic at times. I really enjoyed her time spent studying in France and the relationships she developed with her colleagues there as well as the time she spent in the Netherlands and Germany learning more about exhibition flying. I particularly enjoyed her return to Waxahachie for an air show.

Recommended to readers looking for an inspirational read about a strong female character, aviation, and/or interested in race relations and living situations during the early twentieth century.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.