Scan barcode
themoonphoenix's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is the year 1866, Nell lives in a small English town, where she is not entirely accepted, all thanks to her skin and birthmarks that the villagers consider unlucky. With the arrival of Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders, her father betrays her by selling her, claiming that is for the sake of her happiness.
At first, Nell thinks about escaping, until she meets other members of the circus, mainly other female artists, with whom she will befriend.
I liked watching Nell grow up, finally seeing herself as she is, regardless of the opinion of others, she is beautiful and unique and deserves to be loved.
On the other hand, we have the brothers Jasper and Toby, they are more complex and gray characters, Jasper is ambitious, he wants to be the owner of the most spectacular show in the world and he will not hesitate to use Nell to achieve his goal,
The relationship of the brothers is complex, there is brotherly love, but also jealousy and secrets, there is much more there than what is perceived at first glance.
I think the book was sensitively written and is well documented. One of the characteristics of the Victorian era was their taste for "freaks shows"
In this novel, we see a bit of both sides of the coin, on the one hand, Nell being marginalized from her people, to be a star since people buy her doll, on the other we have Jasper, the one who procures her actors but at the same time consider your property and will not hesitate to sell or exchange them if you no longer need them,
The writing was lovely, the author has a beautiful style, it is a complex story, the setting is not pretty but the author makes it easy, and she makes you participate.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Body shaming
emmagreenwood's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Tuppence Middleton - she is very good at creating difference voices for each character but for some reason the audio version made the story less enjoyable to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Abandonment
More...