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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
2.5 rounded up. This fell flat for me. I almost DNF’d a few times but kept going. Don’t know that it was worth it. I never really connected with the characters or understood what drove them. Also, it touched on several heavy topics (the Holocaust and disability being the two biggies), but nothing ever felt like more than a temporary inconvenience. (Your mileage may vary, though; from what I’ve seen, plenty of people love this one.)
The Circus Train takes place before, during, and after World War II and features a group of performers from a circus train. The main character, Lena, had Polio as a baby and uses a wheelchair. Her father, Theo raises her and a boy they find on the train, Alexandre. Part of the story takes place at Theresienstadt, which was not a place I knew much about previously. I found the story somewhat long and thought it dragged towards the end. One thing that I wondered was why the Nazis didn’t want to capture Lena as well, as she had a disability. That question was not answered for me. All in all, it was somewhat interesting and a unique choice of a setting for a book to take place.
THE CIRCUS TRAIN by Amita Parikh takes its readers on a journey through the world of circus, science, and magic, against the backdrop of World War II. Lena, the protagonist, struggles to find her place in a world that places limits on her due to her disability. Despite her father's overprotection, Lena is determined to pursue her passion for science and medicine. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she befriends Alexandre, an orphan with secrets of his own, and becomes separated from her family and everything she knows when Theo and Alexandre are contracted to work and perform in a model town for Jews set up by the Nazis.
The book beautifully weaves together elements of friendship, love, betrayal, and hope, as Lena must confront her doubts and believe in herself in the face of adversity. Parikh's writing is awesome, and her characters are interesting, making the reader feel invested in their journey. The Circus Train is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
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*December 2022 BOTM pick!*
‘Tis the season of giving, so I’m rounding up and giving this the full five stars.
I’ve always loved historical fiction, though I haven’t read much lately. This makes me want to go on a historical fiction WWII binge… I love learning about this time period so much.
Nearly perfect. This is rare, but I actually wished for a bit more detail/depth in certain areas (especially the ending).
So, so enjoyable! Recommend!!
‘Tis the season of giving, so I’m rounding up and giving this the full five stars.
I’ve always loved historical fiction, though I haven’t read much lately. This makes me want to go on a historical fiction WWII binge… I love learning about this time period so much.
Nearly perfect. This is rare, but I actually wished for a bit more detail/depth in certain areas (especially the ending).
So, so enjoyable! Recommend!!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
emotional
fast-paced
There were several aspects of this WWII historical novel that I enjoyed. Choosing a travelling circus as the setting for a good portion of the book made it playful without taking away from the seriousness of the events going on in the outside world. Horace being described as someone who's only concerned about his best interests makes it easy for readers root against him. Quotes or passages don't usually stay with me throughout the reading experience, however Johannes's exchange with Lena on page 42 stuck with me. The portion of the author's note about Theresienstadt is informative because readers may be unfamiliar with the "spa towns" that the Germans sent Jews to during the war.
There were a couple of components of the novel that annoyed me as a reader. Theo being a helicopter guardian made it hard to see his side of arguments. Lena and Alexandre's reunion in Paris seemed a bit Hallmark movieish and its ramifications were predictable.
There were a couple of components of the novel that annoyed me as a reader. Theo being a helicopter guardian made it hard to see his side of arguments. Lena and Alexandre's reunion in Paris seemed a bit Hallmark movieish and its ramifications were predictable.
There is something magical and a child like excitement when reading a book about a circus. This book had me captivated and curious about where the story would go. Bringing back memories from both, A Night a circus and Water for Elephants, this book has magical vibes through and through.
I was immediately captivated by this story and the characters. I wanted to know more about their histories and loved how their secrets were slowly revealed throughout the book. It showed a piece of WWII that was unique compared to others that I have read, but it also didn’t provoke as many deep emotions as many novels about the time.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No