Reviews with content warning for War - The Circus Train

I feel like the first half of the book was more character focused and about halfway through the plot really started. And I liked that because I had time to really get to know the characters before everything went down and it made me feel more for them later.

It was also really nice seeing a disabled mc. There was a big focus on healing and trying to find a way for Lena to walk again and I do think it should be mentioned that for a lot of disabled people curing their disability is not the goal. So while keeping that in mind there is of course another side as well and I think both narratives deserve to and should be told.

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friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition

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slow-paced

4.25

The novel is really rich and beautiful, the narrator imojen church was very good in my opinion.
It shows the side of wealthy people in ww2, usually storiea are about brave poor and suffering people, not the people who did not envolve themselves in the war.
I enjoyed it.

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ate_nina_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A promising narrative with likable characters. However, I found the prose to lack refinement: a lot more telling than showing, which made reading feel more plodding than I typically enjoy. Overall, an enjoyable read, but not one of my favorites.

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annamay1021's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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bibliomania_express's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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oceanwriter's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Before reading, I saw a lot of hype for this book. I get nervous when this happens because more often than not my reading tastes aren't similar to other readers in my various online social circles. I was relieved to see such exquisite writing when I finally opened it up. Though this wasn't a five-star read for me personally, the hype is understandable.

All Lena has ever known is the traveling circus where her father Theo performs as an illusionist. Lena was left unable to walk by a contracted bought of Polio as an infant. Her spirit and desire to live a better-abled life are strong. Eventually, she attempts a new form of treatment to try and recover the use of her legs.

Meanwhile, it's the early days of World War II. Theo and Lena take in a Jewish boy Alexandre. He's Lena's first friend and companion her age. As the war carries on, she ends up separated from them. Though she always wished for the freedom to do what she wishes without her father's constant fretting and concern for her wellbeing, she never would have wished for him to be taken away.

As much as I loved the writing and a great deal of the story, I also felt like some parts were unrealistic. There was also a love of distinct plotlines going on throughout the book. For me, the polio plot was strong enough to stand alone without the addition of the war. It shifted the focus too much late in the book and it felt like a completely different story than the one I started.

My quips aside, I cannot compliment the beautiful writing enough. The opening pages took me in immediately. I'm insanely impressed given The Circus Train is the author's debut novel.

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heatherjchin's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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