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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I loved both the beginning and end of this book but the middle was lacking for me.
In reading the Q&A with the author Parikh, she talks about having always known how the novel would begin and end but struggled to fill in the middle pieces which was very apparent in the writing.
I did really like a lot of the unique ideas in the storyline and I’m always a sucker for a warm&fuzzy ending which this story definitely delivered.
Overall, this really was a good read, especially for Parikh being a first time author.
I’d love to see her write from first person rather than third in future novels. I think it would help with the choppiness I felt as a reader.
I’m definitely interested to see how she progresses as a writer & will definitely give her second novel a read.
In reading the Q&A with the author Parikh, she talks about having always known how the novel would begin and end but struggled to fill in the middle pieces which was very apparent in the writing.
I did really like a lot of the unique ideas in the storyline and I’m always a sucker for a warm&fuzzy ending which this story definitely delivered.
Overall, this really was a good read, especially for Parikh being a first time author.
I’d love to see her write from first person rather than third in future novels. I think it would help with the choppiness I felt as a reader.
I’m definitely interested to see how she progresses as a writer & will definitely give her second novel a read.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This took a lonnggggg time to get into. But it’s about damn time a WWII book ended happily thank goodness
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very good book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I really love books about WW2 and this didn’t disappoint. I didn’t even know about the “town” in Czechoslovakia. It was beautiful and I loved how squeaky clean it was. Not a single curse word and no sexual content.
I like a bit of good historical fiction, and there are parts of this novel I enjoyed. But then it just douses it all in schmaltz. When I read the words, "she hadn't died in childbirth - she died of a broken heart" I was ready to throw this book in the trash where it belongs.
I'm sure some people will love this, but ugh. Not for me.
I'm sure some people will love this, but ugh. Not for me.
I feel bamboozled by this book; the first half was well written, interesting, and intriguing. The last half read as if the author ran out of steam and let an 11 year old finish writing it.
It was a hell of a ride. OMG.
At first, i thought it was a fantasy book. i held a step back.
But my Reading buddy said i would like it, so I picked it up.
.
It did not disappoint! Its not what i have anticipated, AT.ALL.
.
This is a book about girl come at ages, young love, father-daughter, Family, Friendship, Hardship of WW2.... Well. basically everything together.
.
There were a lot of turns, up and down.
I thought this would be the book that make me cry! (but well, I didnt. I dont cry easily)
.
Passion, determination, inspiration, desperation, hopelessness, friendship, encouragement,love...
(I am out of words.)
.
Just.. READ IT!
At first, i thought it was a fantasy book. i held a step back.
But my Reading buddy said i would like it, so I picked it up.
.
It did not disappoint! Its not what i have anticipated, AT.ALL.
.
This is a book about girl come at ages, young love, father-daughter, Family, Friendship, Hardship of WW2.... Well. basically everything together.
.
There were a lot of turns, up and down.
I thought this would be the book that make me cry! (but well, I didnt. I dont cry easily)
.
Passion, determination, inspiration, desperation, hopelessness, friendship, encouragement,love...
(I am out of words.)
.
Just.. READ IT!
Read this with a group led by @literaryloverlerin & it was a BOTM pick. I read it as a combo physical/audio, which was a delightful experience.
A 1930s European traveling circus is home to Lena Papadopoulos, the daughter of an illusionist aboard. Disabled at an early age, she has difficulty forming friendships until Alexandre is discovered aboard. In this historical fiction, Amita Parikh weaves the tale of the escalation of WWII & how it affects these two young people as they navigate into adulthood. It’s a story of resiliency, courage, and hope.
A 1930s European traveling circus is home to Lena Papadopoulos, the daughter of an illusionist aboard. Disabled at an early age, she has difficulty forming friendships until Alexandre is discovered aboard. In this historical fiction, Amita Parikh weaves the tale of the escalation of WWII & how it affects these two young people as they navigate into adulthood. It’s a story of resiliency, courage, and hope.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
This book was a bit unbalanced for me. The latter third was much stronger than the first two thirds.
While setting the majority of the novel within a traveling circus is a more interesting angle to the traditional WWII novel, I admit I was a bit trepidatious since WWII novels are not my favorite. So many have been written over the years (with a woman walking away on the cover…) that they all start to feel the same. In fact, the middle third of the novel followed many of the more familiar, well-trod tropes. So I struggled to remain engaged and push through that middle section.
The first third was little too much telling and not enough showing. I find this is common in historical novels, especially ones that cover a large timespan in an attempt to situate the bears of the story against the historical backdrop. But I was pretty on the fence as to how much I’d like the book overall.
I enjoyed the final third the most. Though there’s also a super random chapter toward the end set in India. Super random. It honestly felt like the beginning of a different novel—one that could be extremely interesting to read. But I don’t think it was necessary for the story this book was telling.
This book was a bit unbalanced for me. The latter third was much stronger than the first two thirds.
While setting the majority of the novel within a traveling circus is a more interesting angle to the traditional WWII novel, I admit I was a bit trepidatious since WWII novels are not my favorite. So many have been written over the years (with a woman walking away on the cover…) that they all start to feel the same. In fact, the middle third of the novel followed many of the more familiar, well-trod tropes. So I struggled to remain engaged and push through that middle section.
The first third was little too much telling and not enough showing. I find this is common in historical novels, especially ones that cover a large timespan in an attempt to situate the bears of the story against the historical backdrop. But I was pretty on the fence as to how much I’d like the book overall.
I enjoyed the final third the most. Though there’s also a super random chapter toward the end set in India. Super random. It honestly felt like the beginning of a different novel—one that could be extremely interesting to read. But I don’t think it was necessary for the story this book was telling.
Incredibly slow. I just couldn’t get into it :(