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boba_nbooks's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Forced institutionalization
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.25
The novel is really rich and beautiful, the narrator imojen church was very good in my opinion.
It shows the side of wealthy people in ww2, usually storiea are about brave poor and suffering people, not the people who did not envolve themselves in the war.
I enjoyed it.
It shows the side of wealthy people in ww2, usually storiea are about brave poor and suffering people, not the people who did not envolve themselves in the war.
I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Classism
66brookeb's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, and Antisemitism
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Though they ate the same food, slept in the same carriages, and enjoyed the same music, Lena's disability had taught her a harsh truth: she was different, and people didn't like different.
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.Horace was an asshole but we can ignore that. I definitely recommend that people try to read this at least once.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and War
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Genocide, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
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