Paperback, 350 pages
English language
Published Nov. 7, 2007 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
I loved this.
I loved the "elder looking back on his life" set up. I loved the conflict that ended, honestly, catharticly. And I loved the very end.
It was a great book that I tore through in about 2 sittings.
Pretty good. Another popular novel that comes with historical insights. Hard to rate... 3.5 - 3.75 stars?
This was a great read. It had everything: romance, sex, adventure, villains, animals...even a circus! The suspense kept me turning the pages, and the well-researched details gave the story verisimilitude. The only thing that rang a little false was the ending, but I won't give that away.
