Scan barcode
ninariella's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Antisemitism, Death, Death of parent, and War
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
4.25
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.
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Antisemitism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Ableism, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, War, Body shaming, and Classism
annamay1021's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Antisemitism, Genocide, Ableism, and War
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
bibliomania_express's review
- 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
Graphic: War, Violence, Abandonment, Sexism, Police brutality, Medical content, Hate crime, Genocide, Grief, Death, Confinement, Classism, Body shaming, Antisemitism, and Ableism
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Antisemitism, War, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Ableism
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol, Classism, Violence, and Genocide
amberjackonski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Ableism and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death of parent
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"The Circus Train" follows a young girl named Lena throughout her late childhood, teenage, and early adult life. She has always struggled to fit in, in part because she was made disabled following an illness during her childhood. She lives with her single father on a Circus train that travels all of Europe. Her father is a master illusionist and the star of the production. One evening she stumbles across an unconscious boy, Alexandre, and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship. Spanning over decades, and taking place during World War II, this story is a heartbreaking tale of love, triumph, and perseverance.
My favorite aspect of the entire story was all of the discussion and commentary that surrounded having a disabled main character. The author did an amazing job at crafting a story that was both sensitive to the differently abled community, but maintaining the historical accuracy of verbiage that was used to describe someone like Lena during that time. World War II is a horrid time in human history, and we often get stories about how terrifying it was to be Jewish, but other communities were targeted by Nazis as well. I really enjoying getting a new story from an unrepresented community. Lena's father is terrified for her to go out into the world, and he keeps her very sheltered so nothing ill will come of her. He also is supportive of her trying different treatments and therapies to improve her life, but he accepts and loves her as she is.
Lena is a powerful and inspiring character to read from. She is so driven to succeed, and she does not doubt herself and her capabilities. Intelligent is an understatement to describe Lena. She studies so incredibly hard and is rewarded with amazing opportunities that were difficult to come by, especially for women of the time. Despite facing immense heartbreak and overwhelming grief, she remains a rock and never loses sight of who she is and what she wants from life.
I was absolutely blown away by this story, and I cannot wait to indulge in more from this author in the future!
Graphic: War, Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, Grief, Domestic abuse, Deportation, Violence, Murder, Confinement, Antisemitism, Ableism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Death of parent, Death, and Classism
ibjilln's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Medical content, Ableism, Grief, Death of parent, Dysphoria, War, Antisemitism, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Abandonment and Pregnancy
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book immediately climbed up to my favorites list (both for 2023 and in general). I was immersed in the story the entire time, and it was a beautifully woven tale of love and heartbreak during World War II. Everything - both inside and outside of the circus - was so magical. The characters had so much depth, and I fell in love with (almost) each and every one.
Graphic: Death, War, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Grief, Xenophobia, Violence, Medical content, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Genocide
briannad4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Genocide
Minor: Fire/Fire injury