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soniagracelm's review against another edition
I did what I never do, and gave up on this one. I just couldn't get into it. From what I read it wasn't bad, but it didn't catch me. Oh well.
emilydehaven's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
I really wanted to like this book. I loved the concept of the setting and there were some characters, like Pearl, Rosie, August, and Mrs. Margaret who really captured my attention.
But I just didn’t find the main characters compelling and I didn’t buy into their love story. There were so many threads and subplots and I just didn’t feel that it got wrapped up in a satisfying way. The ending felt very abrupt, particularly given the length of the book.
But I just didn’t find the main characters compelling and I didn’t buy into their love story. There were so many threads and subplots and I just didn’t feel that it got wrapped up in a satisfying way. The ending felt very abrupt, particularly given the length of the book.
sarahgudeman's review against another edition
1.0
Blarg. I totally would’ve quit reading this but I powered through for book club. (Though I got so excited to be done I kind of skimmed the last 20 pages.)
Really, really hard to get into. I was a goner after about 100 pages, after which I cared less and less about the characters. Really wanted to like this book but it was a huge emotional drag. Kept falling asleep reading it. Really had to force myself through.
Really, really hard to get into. I was a goner after about 100 pages, after which I cared less and less about the characters. Really wanted to like this book but it was a huge emotional drag. Kept falling asleep reading it. Really had to force myself through.
emvaughters's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a way with words - the language is beautiful. I liked the characters and the setting of the Omaha World's Fair was very interesting and gave the novel a lot of places to go with the story. I was disappointed during Part 3 with the ghost story - it felt unnecessary. I really feel like this book could have been quite a bit shorter and that would have been a great place to cut. It just felt like the haunting had no purpose. I did like how the ending wrapped up, though. All in all, a very enjoyable book that I would recommend to others.
jobeecebrero's review against another edition
3.0
I expected this book to have a sweeping love story and it almost was except for all the whining; Ferret was whiny, Cecily was whiny, the villain wasn't really a villain, and the story was not that compelling. But I still enjoyed reading it, I just kept hoping it would be better.
mwgerard's review against another edition
4.0
For those looking for unlikely romance and adventure, consider this novel set around the 1898 World’s Fair in Omaha, Nebraska. Only five years after the massively successful Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, the natives are anxious to outdo their Midwestern competitor. For others the vaudeville performers and acrobats, it is a chance to have a worldly audience and make their big break. Ventriloquist Ferret Skerritt decides to take his chances on the midway — and meets the beautiful Cecily, who plays Marie Antoinette. Some of the most endearing writing is in the opening pages, when Schaffert offers a skewed version of Oz.
Please view my full post about it here: http://mwgerard.com/books-for-may/
Please view my full post about it here: http://mwgerard.com/books-for-may/
bibliobethica's review against another edition
4.0
The setting of Omaha's World's Fair was perfect for the storyline. I could picture the temporary white buildings built for the fair. The characters were just the type to perform at the fair, and their overlapping stories were interesting. I particularly enjoyed the hot air balloon reminiscent of the balloon in The Wizard of Oz.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
I was a real sucker for this book for the Wizard of Oz backstory/tie-in. Magical realism is not really my thing so I was glad this kept to the side of explainable. The last sentence, well, that was worth the whole book to me.
Also am now motivated to read the Devil in White City, which I've been on the fence about for quite some time.
Also am now motivated to read the Devil in White City, which I've been on the fence about for quite some time.
bawright1987's review against another edition
1.0
I may try this book again in the future as it's about Omaha and a time frame that interests me: the world's fair of 1898. I only made it about 50 pages in. However, I felt that it included facts just to include facts, to show that the author had done his research. That's all well and good, (I enjoy research and historical facts) but it was too much, too soon.