To my shame I knew little about Jean Batten, New Zealand’s most celebrated aviatrix from the early days of flying. This excellent novel from acclaimed NZ author Fiona Kidman is a wonderfully compelling fictionalized biography, meticulously researched, accurate (as far as I can tell, anyway) and fleshed out by Kidman’s imagination to reveal an intriguing and sometimes controversial character and her unusual life. Jean Batten’s achievements as an aviatrix are quite astonishing, as is her determination to succeed. The flying episodes are particularly well described, ratcheting up the tension and allowing the reader to feel part of the experience. I also very much enjoyed the cameo appearances by some of the people Jean Batten met – from Noel Coward to Ian Fleming, the then Prince of Wales to Winston Churchill. It was an endlessly fascinating life and this is an endlessly fascinating and supremely well written novel.

My review as posted on Goodreads:

I really enjoyed this fictional version of the life of New Zealander, Jean Batten who was a pioneering aviator.

I think the book was originally published in 2013, but through Netgalley and Aardvark Bureau, I was given the chance to read a forthcoming UK edition in exchange for an honest review.

There are many detailed reviews which chart the details about the novel, so I will not try to repeat what has been written before.

The author, Fiona Kidman has created a beautifully written story which captures the life of Jean Batten and her family and associates.

I found myself drawn into the real history behind the book and it seems that is very well researched. The bibliography at the end along with the Internet has meant that I have been drawn into this fascinating era of the pioneers of early aviation.

There were stages when I felt sorrow and respect for the central character. However there were also parts of the story when I disliked the person. It is for this reason that I think that it is a well written narrative.

I will remember this book for the insight it offers into the social and gender issues which prevailed during this era in history. I particularly liked the way the story explored the effects of the depression on those living in New Zealand.

I will certainly look out for other works by this author.

An interesting read about Jean Batten, a New Zealand female aviator in the Amelia Earhart/Amy Johnson mould. The book is a fictional autobiography, so it follows Batten's life in a linear way but I'm not sure it really gets to grips with either her personality or that of the other characters in the book. It seems to sit on the surface so that all the events are ticked off but with little sense of inner lives lived.

The way in which flying liberated Batten comes over well as her family, friends and lovers seek to restrain and contain her to what women were supposed to be in the 1930s onwards.

So this works as a stand-in for a biography and the image of lost aviators is one which haunts us at the end.

Dame Fiona Kidman's captivating novel, ‘The Infinite Air,’ portrays the enigmatic life of the very epitome of aviation, Jean Batten, one of the world’s greatest aviators, with her record-breaking solo flights around the world. This is the incredible story of an icon of the 1930’s, the 'Garbo of the Skies,’ a fascinating account of worldwide fame, enshrouded and entombed in secrecy. The Second World War ended Jean’s daring flights. She disappeared to the Caribbean, died in obscurity in Majorca, to be buried in a pauper’s grave. This is her winged story of flight.

Flying in the panoramic expanse of the skies, to explore the immensity of the infinite air, Jean would conquer the world at her feet. She and her mother shared destinies inexorably and inextricably linked together. At her birth in 1909, Nellie placed a picture of Louis Blériot above Jean’s baby cot. He flew across the English Channel, in 36 minutes and 30 seconds, the first person to achieve this feat. Louis Blériot epitomized Nellie's dream of flying, which Jean brought to life, as they weaved their way "Through Difficulties to Greatness." Jean was determined to fly to Australia faster than anyone else. ‘Once my mind’s set on anything, it’s useless to swerve me from my purpose. I’m going to finish what I set out to do.’

For Jean, there was no turning back. Out in the sky, she was flying to her destiny, overtaken by delirious joy. The sense of speed and power thrilled her. She was enraptured at the pure sensation of flight. Jean did all the aerial tricks and manoeuvres — flying inverted, circling and looping, slow rolling, tossing the plane, diving, twisting and weaving, flinging it against the skies. At five thousand feet in the air, a sense of exhilaration invigorated Jean. She flew to Italy. At Rome, she was the first woman to fly non-stop solo from England. A new record for a world class aviator on a peculiar mission, alone in the sky.

On 8 May 1934, Jean set out to fly to Australia. Success was within her grasp. No turning back. On the far horizon, a small dark cloud arose. Australia! She broke the solo record for women by four and a half days. A telegram from King George VI: "Please convey to Miss Batten the congratulations of the Queen and myself on her wonderful flight. George R. I." In Sydney, sixteen planes flew out in formation to meet her. She made her first public speech. Jean did the largest live radio station broadcast ever organized from Sydney, with a broadcast to the United States. "I’m living in a dream. But it’s a dream of my own making."

Brazil conferred on Jean the Order of the Southern Cross, for her record-breaking flight linking England with Brazil in the fastest time in history. France bestowed upon Jean the French Légion d’Honneur, the first British airwoman to be honored. Jean was made a Commander of the British Empire. Louis Blériot who had said, ‘The medals are important, but they are not the journey,' had died of a heart attack in Paris, aged sixty-four. Jean cried, in bitter heartache. ‘Why him?’

Jean Batten's Record-breaking Flights were: 1934. England-Australia solo flight (women's record), 1935. Australia-England solo flight, First woman to make return flight, England-Brazil solo flight (world record), First woman to fly solo across South Atlantic Ocean and make England-South America flight, 1936. England-New Zealand solo flight (world record), First direct flight between England and New Zealand, England-Australia solo flight (world record, established on same flight), 1937. Australia-England solo flight (world record), First person to hold both England-Australia and Australia-England solo records at the same time.

Jean Batten died in Palma, Majorca, in 1982. Bitten by a dog while walking, the wound became infected. She declined medicines until her last hours but it was too late. Jean lay dead. She was buried in a paupers’ common grave. Five years elapsed before the details of her death surfaced in 1987. She had vanished into infinity. ‘I’m young at heart,’ Jean once said, ‘because I’ve never really grown up.” An extremely brave, daring and courageous lady, who inspired others to dream of daring exploits, Jean Batten was one of the greatest aviators of all time.

The Infinite Air is a novel based on the life of Jean Batten, a New Zealand woman who set several records for intercontinental solo flights.

I started this book thinking it would be a pale imitation of [book:Circling the Sun|23995231], Paula McLain's excellent novel based on the life of Beryl Markham, another early aviatrix. But as I read further, I became utterly engrossed by Jean's story, which is fascinating and unique. Like Beryl Markham, Jean Battan was one of those women who achieved an unprecedented amount of freedom and agency in an era when women were mostly defined by their husbands. Beyond that, she was an adventurer in the style of Amelia Earhart, a woman driven by internal ambition to risk her life (far more literally than most of us can imagine) to sit for hours alone in a cold, often unreliable contraption at the mercy of the elements.

The more unique elements of Jean's story are the icing on the cake; she interacts with several famous historical figures over the course of her life, (my favorite is a pre-James-Bond Ian Fleming).

Her story is amazing, and well worth the read.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

he early pioneers of flight lived in exciting times and I've long been fascinated with the female pilots such as Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart. This follows the story of New Zealand's pioneering aviator - Jean Batten. I'd not heard of her but found this fictionalised biography utterly compelling and a brilliant read.

Great fictional biography of Jean Batten. Kidman's writing and vision creates an absorbing read.

Batten's intelligence, independence, determination and passion for flying never waned despite numerous obstacles. Pilot status achieved, she accomplished the first-ever solo flight from England to New Zealand in 1936 which was no easy task given the eras gender barriers and financial challenges. Kidman provides plenty of action and adventure while allowing the reader insight into Jane's family and personal life.

Wonderful role model, engaging story surely to spark your interest to learn more of the skilled aviatrix Jean Batten. Kidman's accomplished writing leaves her audience guessing on how much of the narrative is indeed fiction, well presented on all levels.

Jean Batten is one of the world’s greatest aviators. She is the first woman to fly solo across from England to New Zealand and also broke many records during her solo flights. However, while she is a famous icon, she has a mysterious life. In this historical novel, Mrs. Kidman tells a more intimate story of Jean Batten’s personal life. This book details Jean Batten’s accomplishments as well as her personal losses.

Before reading this book, I did not know anything about Jean Batten’s life. This novel gives Jean a very humanizing portrait of this fascinating woman. Jean is a woman who is a big dreamer, and she is determined to make her dream come true. She is very ambitious, persistent, and courageous. She is a woman who has a commanding presence because she is very confident. Yet, Jean has also experienced many sadness in her life. While it seems that she is a woman who has everything that she has ever dreamed of, there are glimpses of where she is unhappy. She is very sad and lonely. This makes her seem cold and distant. Thus, Jean is a complex figure, and readers are drawn to her personal struggles as well as her triumphs.

Overall, this book is an in-depth psyche to one of the world’s most iconic female aviators. This book is about love, family, loss, and dreams. It is also about a woman trying to find happiness. This book is filled with fascinating characters, and I loved Jean’s relationship with her mother. Jean’s mother, Nellie, was very supportive of Jean and always stood by her side. I found their relationship to be very touching.This book is very well-written, and I felt like I was there beside Jean. The Infinite Air is a great tribute to Jean Batten and her accomplishments.

Liked this book. I liked the characters and story flow. Any book based on history and real people makes for a good read. Well done. Hard to put down. Recommend reading. Given copy by NetGalley for honest review.