Reviews with content warning for Genocide - The Circus Train

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The Circus Train by Amita Parikh

13 reviews

perfectcupoftea's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful slow-paced

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

3.0

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boba_nbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad

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

Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️

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.

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annamay1021's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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bibliomania_express's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

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oceanwriter's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

3.5

Before reading, I saw a lot of hype for this book. I get nervous when this happens because more often than not my reading tastes aren't similar to other readers in my various online social circles. I was relieved to see such exquisite writing when I finally opened it up. Though this wasn't a five-star read for me personally, the hype is understandable.

All Lena has ever known is the traveling circus where her father Theo performs as an illusionist. Lena was left unable to walk by a contracted bought of Polio as an infant. Her spirit and desire to live a better-abled life are strong. Eventually, she attempts a new form of treatment to try and recover the use of her legs.

Meanwhile, it's the early days of World War II. Theo and Lena take in a Jewish boy Alexandre. He's Lena's first friend and companion her age. As the war carries on, she ends up separated from them. Though she always wished for the freedom to do what she wishes without her father's constant fretting and concern for her wellbeing, she never would have wished for him to be taken away.

As much as I loved the writing and a great deal of the story, I also felt like some parts were unrealistic. There was also a love of distinct plotlines going on throughout the book. For me, the polio plot was strong enough to stand alone without the addition of the war. It shifted the focus too much late in the book and it felt like a completely different story than the one I started.

My quips aside, I cannot compliment the beautiful writing enough. The opening pages took me in immediately. I'm insanely impressed given The Circus Train is the author's debut novel.

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66brookeb's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

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 exceeded my expectations in every aspect. It truly is a story of a young, disabled woman that defeated all the odds that were stacked against her.

I went into this book not really expecting much, but there were three twists in the plot near the end that really got me; I had not expected them in the least.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you aren’t interested in this genre. I still believed it is worth the read.

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