394 pages
English language
Published Nov. 7, 2007 by Allen & Unwin.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned, jumps onto a passing train, he enters the world of a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after town. A veterinary student, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus animals. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
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.
