Scan barcode
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
4.25
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.
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Classism
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
- 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 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
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
ibjilln's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Dysphoria, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy and Abandonment
shannasbooksnhooks'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? 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
sdunn13'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
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death and Grief
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I’m thrilled that this is my first book logged for 2023. This was such a different take on World War Two that doesn’t entirely revolve around resistance fighters, or service men/women. Anita allowed us to soak in Lena’s life from beginning and nearly into her mid/late twenties. Soaking in the travel of the circus life was a wonderful experience. She did build up a little bit of intrigue and mystery, keeping me interested throughout the way. There may have been a few things here & there that I would have changed in terms of filler (this was a wii longer than I anticipated) but a worthy read nevertheless!
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Antisemitism and War