Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9781565125605
ISBN: 1565125606
Label: Algonquin Books
Manufacturer: Algonquin Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 350
Publication Date: 2007-04-09
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Studio: Algonquin Books

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.

Customer Rating:
Summary: I was drawn in from page one.
Comment: The author opens the story very well, grabbing your attention immediately. I love the way the story moves from the present, a 93 year old man in a nursing home, to his past and then back again. The story is well written in terms of circus life in the depression era and life as an elderly man in a nursing home.

I could not put this book down. It gave me an affirmation for why I dislike the circus and reminded me that the elderly are to be respected. Having worked with the elderly, I know they have many interesting stories to share with us. The book is very well-written, fast moving, surprising, and mysterious. I loved it!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Escape with the characters
Comment: This is an "Indiana Jones" action packed novel. Some things predictable, some things not. Great descriptions and an emotional attachment.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Deep story; good read
Comment: Good book....well researched information by the author. I am a true animal lover and it was a little gut-wrenching to read some things, knowing that they held truth...but it was a good read and a deep storyline. Intrigues me enough to want to go beyond the book and read more about circuses in the present and the post-Depression Era.
I recommend this book, it is rich in substance and will surely touch your heart.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable Read
Comment: Not having had any knowledge of the inner workings of the circus during this time period I found this book to be very informative and entertaining all at once. It was an easy read and I was able to finish it in about 2 days. I loved the way it was written, the author did a great job of painting a picture. BUT the only thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars were the parts that were written from the perspective of the 93 year old Jacob. Not that these parts were poorly written, they were actually very well written and made you feel like you were right there in the nursing home it just that well, one minute your enjoying circus life and the next minute BOOM your in a nursing home. I felt she could have used those pages to tell us a couple more circus adventures. I would certainly recommend this book! (Although, not to anyone in their teens there are a lot of sex scenes and most of them are quite graphic)

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Comment: I read 3-4 books a month - and this is one of the best books I have read all year. Great characters in a amazing and detailed setting (a circus train during the depression). The author did a great job describing the sights and sounds I could literally see what I was reading. I think this story could easily be adapted into an amazing film.

At times it was a little more sexualy graphic then I would prefer(so not good for younger teens), but other than that it was a truly interesting and enjoyable book.

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