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boba_nbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Circus Train takes readers on a decades-long journey across WWII Europe through the eyes of a disabled young girl, her father, and a young boy.
Lena lives a very abnormal life on the circus train. As a baby, Lena almost died from Polio, but she miraculously survived and is told she probably won't ever walk. But living around people who can do all sorts of tricks makes her feel out of place. Lena's father, Theo is a circus' star illusionist and quite overprotective of Lena's physical limitations but encourages her to continue her education. Lena and her father's unconventional life takes an even more unexpected turn when they bring in an orphan named Alexandre to their crew. Over the years, Lena and Alexandre form a lovely friendship despite all of their differences. But World War II is escalating, and soon Theo and Alexandre are separated from Lena. Will they be able to find their way back to each other after years apart?
I wasn't expecting this novel to make me feel so much. I became quite attached to Lena, Theo, and Alexandre. The Circus Train didn't feel like just another WWII novel--it felt like so much more due to the strong character development.
Graphic: Ableism, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Forced institutionalization
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: Death, Violence, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and War
ronjaorsomething'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
4.5
It was also really nice seeing a disabled mc. There was a big focus on healing and trying to find a way for Lena to walk again and I do think it should be mentioned that for a lot of disabled people curing their disability is not the goal. So while keeping that in mind there is of course another side as well and I think both narratives deserve to and should be told.
Graphic: Ableism and Antisemitism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and War
bibliomania_express'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, War, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
maregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Grief and Deportation
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: Ableism, Death, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, Medical content, Alcohol, and Classism
lovelymisanthrope'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? 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: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Classism, and Deportation
spongebobbiii'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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, and War
shannasbooksnhooks's review
- 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: Chronic illness, Death, and War
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Genocide, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
katiejohns's review
- 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
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, and War