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What Members Thought
I could not put this book down. It was wonderful!
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I didnt think it was going to be something i'd enjoy since i thought i didnt like books that took place before the 1980s (how wrong i am!) but my ma told me id like it. it is a great love stry about the circus, an aging man and his life on the raod. the first part of the book wasnt so interesting, but i totally got into it once he explained how he became a part of the circus- this story has love, murder, animals, dwarfs, everything you can think of. loved it!!!
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Warning: flashbacks! I normally don't like flashbacks when they swarm throughout a book, but these are flashbacks disguised as an old man's wandering mind, semi-Alzheimer hallucinations. They work. And there is a lovely elephant that you just want to take home and take care of, because she is so horribly mistreated by the antagonist.
The ending is a tad cheesy, but one that you accept because you are charmed by Jacob's story. ...more
The ending is a tad cheesy, but one that you accept because you are charmed by Jacob's story. ...more
What an awesome book! Makes me want to pick up one of the books the author noted in her notes section about the history of the American Circus. I don't usually like books that take place during the Great Depression (too depressing), but this was such a great story. Plus, I like animals and this gave some cool insights into certain animals' behaviors.
Has Gruen written anything else good? ...more
Has Gruen written anything else good? ...more
I was thoroughly impressed with this book from start to finish. I felt as though the author was easily able to incorporate the characters current and past feelings/story so well that the transition from one to another was effortless. I definitely recommend this book to everyone.
I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. It is an easy read I had it finished in about 2 days.
The animal cruelty made my skin crawl and I didn't ever really like the characters.
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A new favorite. I loved every minute of this book.
I really enjoyed this audio book
I didn't get it.
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Highly recommended
Dec 10, 2007
Christina McKee
marked it as to-read
Mar 02, 2008
Synova
marked it as to-read
Aug 01, 2008
Beth
marked it as to-read
