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Paula McLain
40 ratings | 6 reviews | avg rating:4.38

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10th Anniversary of THE PARIS WIFE Absinthe Video
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Paula Reads a Letter to Readers about WHEN THE STARS GO DARK
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Paula McLain

Goodreads Author


Born
in Fresno, California, The United States
Website

Genre
Historical Fiction, Suspense, Memoir

Member Since
March 2011


Paula McLain is the author of the New York Times and internationally bestselling novels, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun and Love and Ruin. Her latest instant bestseller is, When the Stars Go Dark. Her forthcoming novel is Skylark, on shelves 1/6/26. She received an MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996, and is also the author of two collections of poetry, the memoir Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses, and the debut novel, A Ticket to Ride. Her work has has appeared in The New York Times, Real Simple, Town & Country, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, and elsewhere. She lives with her family in Cleveland, Ohio. ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Hi Paula! I just finished Circling the Sun today, LOVED it. I didn't realize I was a fan of historical fiction until I read the Paris Wife. Do you have a historical character in mind for your next novel?
Paula McLain Thrilled to hear you connected with Circling the Sun, Jenny! I DO have a new idea for a character and have begun writing. This is my absolute favorite…moreThrilled to hear you connected with Circling the Sun, Jenny! I DO have a new idea for a character and have begun writing. This is my absolute favorite part of the process: new obsession! Hopefully the work will go well and I'll have a new manuscript sometime in the new year. Wish me luck... ; )(less)
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How much of your story about Beryl Markham is fact and how much is fiction? Especially the "love affair" with Dennys Finch-Hatton?
Paula McLain Hello, Cherie, and thanks for your question. Although other writers in this genre have their own rules, no doubt, I don't make up events for my histor…moreHello, Cherie, and thanks for your question. Although other writers in this genre have their own rules, no doubt, I don't make up events for my historical characters, or imagine fictional characters for them to interact with--so you can be sure the love story between Beryl and Denys did indeed happen. What I do make up and then dramatize is the inner lives of my characters, their thoughts and feelings, and all the dialogue. I also feel very free to embellish setting and details of place, etc. I hope this answer helps!(less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 3.83 · 500,405 ratings · 44,856 reviews · 24 distinct works • Similar authors
The Paris Wife
3.82 avg rating — 305,793 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions
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Circling the Sun
3.94 avg rating — 82,005 ratings — published 2015 — 75 editions
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When the Stars Go Dark
3.84 avg rating — 62,277 ratings — published 2021 — 39 editions
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Love and Ruin
3.86 avg rating — 26,816 ratings — published 2018 — 47 editions
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A Mind of Her Own
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3.18 avg rating — 10,764 ratings — published 2019 — 7 editions
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Skylark
3.99 avg rating — 5,029 ratings — published 2026 — 9 editions
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Ash Wednesday (A Point in T...
4.02 avg rating — 2,200 ratings — published 2022 — 2 editions
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Like Family: Growing Up in ...
3.71 avg rating — 1,891 ratings — published 2004 — 22 editions
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A Ticket to Ride
3.35 avg rating — 1,484 ratings — published 2008
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Something That Cannot Die
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3.89 avg rating — 668 ratings — published 2020 — 3 editions
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Paula is Currently Reading

My Brilliant Friend
Paula McLain is currently reading
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Nov 17, 2015 06:30AM

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Paula’s Recent Updates

Paula McLain answered Judy's question:
I won "Skylark" on Dec 1st, but have not received it. When will it come? Judy Berkowitz 11906 SW Marigold Lakes Dr Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
Paula McLain
Hi Judy! I just checked with my publisher, and they said the book was delivered on Dec. 16th. Message me on Instagram (@paulamclain) or reach out to my assistant at pmclainassistant@gmail.com and I can send you the photo of the tracking info?
Jan 15, 2026 07:55AM  · 
Paula McLain wants to read
Skylark by Paula McLain
Skylark
by Paula McLain (Goodreads Author)
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Aug 16, 2025 01:49PM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
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Quotes by Paula McLain  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“To hell with them. Nothing hurts if you don't let it.”
― Paula McLain, The Paris Wife
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“Books could be an incredible adventure. I stayed under my blanket and barely moved, and no one would have guessed how my mind raced and my heart soared with stories.”
― Paula McLain, The Paris Wife
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“It gave me a sharp kind of sadness to think that no matter how much I loved him and tried to put him back together again, he might stay broken forever.”
― Paula McLain, The Paris Wife
tags: brokenness
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The Seasonal Read...: This topic has been closed to new comments. FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS 3942 2762 Nov 30, 2009 09:01PM  
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46194 The Sassy Classy Book Club — 19 members — last activity May 21, 2011 03:30PM
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Comments (showing 1-1)    post a comment »
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message 1: by Allie
Jan 09, 2012 08:35AM

Allie Smith I adore The Paris Wife...it was wondeful! I went out and bought a Moveable Feast, which I am excited to read. Hope I got the right version, that is good to Hadley!


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