From the Bookshelf of Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
I. Loved. This. Book. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for a year and a half. I had no idea what it was even about, I had just acquired it because it was getting a lot of buzz as a top seller. When I saw a recent movie trailer for the upcoming film I was slightly more intrigued by it and decided I better read it before the film came out. Wow. I LOVED this book! Now before I gush too much I should say, there were quite a few "big" curse words when a few characters spoke. They were scattered and
...more
Bittersweet tale of Jacob Jankowski, who after learning of the death of his parents, jumps a train, realizing later that it is a circus train. Through his perspective we see the inside of a depression era circus. We meet the show’s ringmaster, the crooked Uncle Al, the beautiful performer Marlena, and her psychotic husband August.
It’s a good read for the historical aspects of the circus and Jacob’s role as the circus vet. There is so much great detail about the care of the animals and how the p ...more
It’s a good read for the historical aspects of the circus and Jacob’s role as the circus vet. There is so much great detail about the care of the animals and how the p ...more
90-ish Jacob Jankowski narrates his story in flashbacks from a nursing home. His days with the circus feel more real and alive to him than his current reality.
After his parents are killed in a car accident, Jacob runs out on his vet school exams and joins the circus. Circus life is not always easy, but Jacob has experiences with humans and animals that change his life forever.
Gruen brings the Depression-era circus vividly to life, along with its many colorful characters. If Rosie the elephant an ...more
After his parents are killed in a car accident, Jacob runs out on his vet school exams and joins the circus. Circus life is not always easy, but Jacob has experiences with humans and animals that change his life forever.
Gruen brings the Depression-era circus vividly to life, along with its many colorful characters. If Rosie the elephant an ...more
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Jan 27, 2009
Lissa
added it
Dec 05, 2010
Erica
marked it as to-read
Jul 24, 2012
Melissa Wiebe
marked it as to-read
