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What Members Thought
I liked this book but I didn't love it or understand why it's been on the best seller list for so long. The descriptions are good and evocative, but Jacob wasn't a character I could really believe in. The elephant, described as the "mute heroine" on the back of the copy I ready, is actually the most compelling part of the book-- in that sense it is interesting.
A quick read, good for airplane rides, but nothing amazing in my opinion. ...more
A quick read, good for airplane rides, but nothing amazing in my opinion. ...more
An interesting look into the world of traveling circuses during the Great Depression. The author does an excellent job of recreating the details of that subculture and the story is a fast read. Some of her language is beautiful, but sometimes the characters and story felt a little forced -- as though she's developing into an excellent writer but not there yet.
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2.5 stars. I don't know if I came into this book with too high of expectations, or if the fact that I had just finished a book that I absolutely loved meant that any book I read next wouldn't measure up, but I was not as impressed as I thought I was going to be. I found the section about the older Jacob to be a waste of space and I think the book would have been just fine without that whole part. I also feel like the characters weren't developed enough. Marlena especially bothered me. I don't kn
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Enjoyed reading about circus life during the depression quite a bit, but found both the villains just a tad too unrealistic.
Strengths: unique setting and nice period details, the portions of the book from the perspective of an elderly man
Weaknesses: simplistic characterizations (August = bad! Marlena = good!), unconvincing love story
Not bad overall.
Weaknesses: simplistic characterizations (August = bad! Marlena = good!), unconvincing love story
Not bad overall.
A surprisingly good book. It is something totally different than I normally pick up but I did enjoy it.
Jan 07, 2009
Lauren
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2011
Cole
marked it as to-read
Sep 04, 2015
Keets
marked it as to-read
