And the April 2011 book selection will be. . .

[Angela]

. . . . . I've actually read this book in the past, and I have to say, I love this book! There's a stretch just beyond the very beginning that I thought was a little slow; don't let it discourage you! This book is so worth the read! Enjoy!

[Linda]

The movie for this book is coming out soon.

[Eileen]

So many people have told me how great this book is. Looking forward to reading it.

[Lindsey]

Great! I've been wanting to read this.

[Joan]

Angela2932 wrote: ". . . .. I've actually read this book in the past, and I have to say, I love this book! There's a stretch just beyond the very beginning that I thought was a l..."

I've read this book and loved it too!

[Laura]

This is one of my favorite books. I can't wait to re-read it!

[Lonnie]

Just finished reading. Is there another place for discussion?

[Angela]

Usually, we just discuss the books in the thread (like this one), but discussion has been lagging recently :(
I haven't been as attentive/adding discussion questions recently because of the addition in my household of a new puppy, who's ruling the roost right now. Lonnie,or any one else, what did you think of the book?

[Angela]

Has anyone had a chance to see the movie yet? What did you think of the movie, compared to the book?

[Lonnie]

I really enjoyed the book; mostly the depression era circus environment. The sex seemed out of place to me. I felt like I was reading a good book that all of a sudden had a Harlequin Romance inserted into it. I thought the portrayal of the elderly in a retirement home was spot on. Glad the book ended the way it did.

[Carlissa]

Lonnie wrote: "I really enjoyed the book; mostly the depression era circus environment. The sex seemed out of place to me. I felt like I was reading a good book that all of a sudden had a Harlequin Romance inserted into it..."

I listened to the audio version of this a few years ago and loved it, but have to agree with Lonnie about the sex.

I saw the movie on Friday and I thought it was very good. Eventually I will get around to reading the ebook version that I bought last week.

[Angela]

And I also really liked the way the nursing home scenes were handled, and the ending of the book. It sure makes me feel anxious about aging, though~!

[Pam]

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It just didn't last long enough. I like the ending though...it made me smile!

[Kathy]

I just finished it! I can honestly say it's one of the more entertaining books I've read in awhile. I picked it up because the setting caught my attention and so did all the hype about the movie.

I liked how the author managed to make something as supposedly fun and happy as a circus into something dark and mystical.

Is the movie just as good or is it one of those movies that completely fail at translating novel to film?

[Angela]

I have a feeling that I'm going to need to bring kleenex with me to watch the ending of the movie, once I see it, because I found the ending of the book to be just so moving!

[Nancy]

I dont know whats wrong with me??? The book was just OK, for me..
And a little sad...maybe I should reread it lol.This I have
In Softcover....romance...mixed with love for animals and old nan
Thinking Back....at the end I felt so sad :(
This book I think would make a great movie lol

[Becky]

I read this book a while back and I didn't much care for it. I thought it was contrived and unbelievable. I was pretty disappointed with it since I had heard nothing but great things about it. =\

[Kaila]

Here's my review:

While this book was enjoyable, I still don't quite understand all the hype surrounding it. It is a good story with interesting characters but I still felt there was something lacking. It could just be me because I tend to compare anything written in the circus realm with Geek Love by Katherine Dunn (which is both spectacular and heartbreaking) and the HBO series Carnivale. Maybe those two have influenced me to expect supernatural elements to intermingle with the circus genre but I also feel it is a natural combination and anything without the fantastic element seems to fall short. I did enjoy this book but I thought Geek Love was truly amazing and original.

[[deleted user]]

I thought it was highly enjoyable - a quick read, sure (read it in 2 days), but it moved, the characters were interesting, and I really wanted to know what would happen to everyone. Plus the very end of the book pleased the part of me that likes a happy ending.