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I was so pleased when I received this book. It has become my favorite book of all time. The author is such a talented writer. It was obvious that she did a lot of research on the time period in which this story took place. She also did extensive research on what life was like for those who belonged to the circus. The characters were really brought to life and I became quite involved in the story. I am an animal lover and an advocate for animal rights. The author accurately depicted the horrible treatment of the animals in the circus, which unfortunately, still goes on today. This story was full of excitement, romance and pure raw emotion. It is an excellent read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story. I'm so excited I was able to find this particular book on eBay. It is a first edition and it is signed and dated by Sara Gruen, I will cherish it forever!!!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This fast paced book is written in the first person. The main character, Jacob Jankowski, is a 90 or 93 year old man (he can't remember which). He is alternating between dealing with his aging mind and body in a nursing home and reliving a time in his life starting with his last semester at Cornell where he studied veterinary medicine. That was when his life changed forever by a set of tragic circumstances that were beyond his control. Because he was on his own with no where to live, he hopped a freight, only to find out he had hopped onto a circus train. Thus begins his seven years of working for the circus (two different ones), first mucking the horse stalls and later being the vet for the menagerie animals. Jacob has to deal with the harsh realities of life both in his youth and now as a ninety something year old who can remember more about his youth than the present at times. He misses his wife, yet his children and grandchildren take turns visiting him on Sundays. One day when the circus comes to town it causes a lot of the other residents to get so excited that they plan to go with their families. Jacob decides he will go on Sunday when his family comes to visit. What happens then will be revealed to you in time....I don't want to spoil this part of the book for you. I highly recommend this book if you like an absorbing novel that is well written and is hard to put down until you finish.Read full review
Oh my! I loved this story SO much. The author lovingly tells it through Jacob, a 90-ish man struggling his remaining years in a Nursing Home. He is the voice of experience as he has memory flashbacks of his employment with the circus in the 1930's. There are so many facets to the tale...drama, romance, murder, and redemption. Although the circus life is very dazzling, the overall message I walk away from is this: Pay attention to your elders and treat them with respect. They deserve it! They are adults (not children), so give them their due. Just as Rosemary did. She is a good soul. Also, you are never too old to be useful. The author ends the story just perfectly, tying up loose ends. Aside from Jacob, watch for Walter, and Rosie! They all played pivotal roles in the storyline. Excellent, A++ This is a book you will want to read over and over.Read full review
This is a genuine work of art and the characters will stay with you for years to come. I didn't think that the backdrop of the depression and the circus would really be very interesting to me, but a good friend recommended it and I'm so glad she did. You won't be disappointed, particularly if you are an animal lover, many poignant scenes and it also contains some unexpected twists. Filled with imperfect people and a few tragic events, you'll find yourself staying up late to get to the final scene. The pictures that head each chapter help to bring you back into the time period and Jacob's matter of fact way of looking at even the worst situations reminds me of the older generation's stoic acceptance of lifes ups and downs. A great read!!!
I bought this book, not sure exactly how I'd like it. It seemed a little out of my reading comfort zone. Even after reading reading the first couple of chapters I was leary. However, it turned out to be suprisingly interesting and couldn't have had a better ending. It's about an old man in a nursing home who basically thinks his life is pathetic and has a hard time facing the fact that he's 90 years old, or 93, he can't remember. A circus begins to set up shop across the street and he enchants us with the tales of his day in the circus, traveling with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. I would recommend it if you like to read far fetched tales that are well written.
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