kittypaws9's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time deciding what to rate this book. When I first started reading "Wonder Show," it really turned me off. I wasn't thrilled by the voice of the main character and I was starting to worry that the circus-themed cover was a ruse. (That has happened before. Baiting me with a beautiful circus cover to later find out, no circus.)
Thankfully, this book did deliver, but it takes awhile. If you are first starting it and are getting discouraged, hang in there. The book does get better.
I'm not sure if it was the short chapters or what, but after I got over my initial reaction, I read the entire book in one sitting. And I'm not really sure why. The story was mostly intriguing. Don't expect much action or suspense. It was just a nice story — and that can be refreshing.
Thankfully, this book did deliver, but it takes awhile. If you are first starting it and are getting discouraged, hang in there. The book does get better.
I'm not sure if it was the short chapters or what, but after I got over my initial reaction, I read the entire book in one sitting. And I'm not really sure why. The story was mostly intriguing. Don't expect much action or suspense. It was just a nice story — and that can be refreshing.
sapphic_hobbit's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was a good book. I recommend it to my friend and my aunt
jsmithborne's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this but Caitlin Kiernan has messed up my head so bad that every book that isn't by Kiernan is sort of just something to keep me busy until the next Kiernan book comes in. That said, this really is a very good book. I heard the author speak at Southern Festival of Books, and she had slides of real people who were working as freaks in carnivals in the time period she was writing about, and who she based several of her characters on. So if you like dustbowl carnival stories about girls taking things into their own hands, or any one or combination of those elements, then pick this up.
iamastraythought's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Abandonment
meresger's review against another edition
3.0
Review: http://hadeer.booklikes.com/post/808086/portia-and-the-wonder-show
krissyronan's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely and quiet and dark but not without some hope and family and love. Reminded me of Series of Unfortunate Events but grown up.
buj's review against another edition
3.0
Picked this up on a whim as it was being weeded at my library. It's written in a nice literary/classic style with some great metaphors, and I loved the range in chapter length, style (narrative, letters, journal entries, etc.), and character focus. The switch between first person and 3rd person POV was awkward at first, but I got used to it. Overall it's a great tale about finding family, wanting more for yourself, and understanding your personal prejudices. The last could have been explored more, but for the quick read it was, it felt complete.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
Ever since Portia's father left her to pursue his fortune, Portia has counted the days until he'd come back for her and they'd be a family again. That doesn't change when Sophia deposits Portia at a home for wayward girls, where Portia is convinced that the proprietor has information about her father. After a tragic event, Portia knows that she must seek her father out. Knowing that he loved the circus, Portia finds a carnival that travels with a circus and gets a job, positive that her father will come through the turnstyle in one of the little towns they visit.
This was a story that was a little slow to start, but it definitely picked up in the second part and by the end of it I really felt like I had gotten to know the carnival oddities and cared about what happened to them. It pays off to stick with it, is what I'm saying. I thought the writing was atmospheric and darkly beautiful. Chapters are short, almost like vignettes, and the story's told in the 3rd person from Portia's point of view, but every now and then you get a snippet from someone else's point of view or from Portia in the first person. Again, it took me a little bit to get used to the style, but once I did I really liked it.
I think this would make a great crossover title for adults interested in picking up YA titles. The titles that most came to mind as I read were WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen and GEEK LOVE by Katherine Dunn, both adult titles. OH, but I also think the atmospheric writing makes this a great readalike for THE BONESHAKER by Kate Milford.
This was a story that was a little slow to start, but it definitely picked up in the second part and by the end of it I really felt like I had gotten to know the carnival oddities and cared about what happened to them. It pays off to stick with it, is what I'm saying. I thought the writing was atmospheric and darkly beautiful. Chapters are short, almost like vignettes, and the story's told in the 3rd person from Portia's point of view, but every now and then you get a snippet from someone else's point of view or from Portia in the first person. Again, it took me a little bit to get used to the style, but once I did I really liked it.
I think this would make a great crossover title for adults interested in picking up YA titles. The titles that most came to mind as I read were WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen and GEEK LOVE by Katherine Dunn, both adult titles. OH, but I also think the atmospheric writing makes this a great readalike for THE BONESHAKER by Kate Milford.
leftik's review against another edition
3.0
Barnaby has made some interesting choices in her debut: she uses multiple perspectives WHILE switching between first and third person throughout the book. For the most part, I found it worked. It made the story interesting and gave the reader insight into the various personalities that appear in the book and the actions they make. The real issue I had with the changing perspectives is sometimes it changed perspectives too soon – I didn’t get enough emotional connection in some of the important scenes because immediately after the event, the perspective changed.
I also would have liked a bit more meat in the part where Portia joins the Wonder Show. That was the most fascinating part of the book and it took place in something like a few weeks. I think if I would have felt a stronger emotional connection between Portia and the Wonder Show crew, the end of the book would have had a bigger impact.
That’s not to say Wonder Show was a bad book – it isn’t. It takes a pretty unique premise (I’m having trouble thinking of YA books about running away to the circus?) and an emotional story about trying to find your family and it makes for a good read.
The historical nature of the book – Barnaby based many of the Wonder Show “freaks” on actual people who toured in Side Shows – was well-done and the creep-out factor of Mister was awesome.
Basically, I just wanted more. More depth, more backstory, more Wonder Show, more connection.
I also would have liked a bit more meat in the part where Portia joins the Wonder Show. That was the most fascinating part of the book and it took place in something like a few weeks. I think if I would have felt a stronger emotional connection between Portia and the Wonder Show crew, the end of the book would have had a bigger impact.
That’s not to say Wonder Show was a bad book – it isn’t. It takes a pretty unique premise (I’m having trouble thinking of YA books about running away to the circus?) and an emotional story about trying to find your family and it makes for a good read.
The historical nature of the book – Barnaby based many of the Wonder Show “freaks” on actual people who toured in Side Shows – was well-done and the creep-out factor of Mister was awesome.
Basically, I just wanted more. More depth, more backstory, more Wonder Show, more connection.
speakinglatin's review against another edition
4.0
Original review at Beneath the Jacket
First, I love the cover by Evan B. Harris. It's beautiful and I think it definitely draws the eye. I also want a print of it to hang on my wall. Someone make this happen. Please.
Second, I enjoyed the book! From the first page, I was transported to the Depression era. I was drawn in by Barnaby's wonderful writing style, the story, and the colorful cast of characters. Portia has a fire and passion that I liked. No one, not even the creepy Mister is going to stand in her way! The narration style is different than any other book I've read recently (or that I can remember right now). It goes back and forth between third-person omniscient and first-person. The first-person is normally a page or two where the reader gets an inside glimpse of Portia and the other circus characters. I would expect something like this to throw me out of the story, but I really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts. I also don't think it happens enough to be a hindrance to the storytelling. I think of it as an enhancement. Especially since the reader learns more about the histories of the characters at these points.
If I have a big complaint, it would be that the end felt a bit rushed to me. The entire book I was waiting for an amazing climax and I feel almost like nothing happened. I was left with a "wait, that's it?" It's a very easily solved ending. Too easy, in my opinion.
Wonder Show reminds me a bit of Moon Over Manifest (a book I love!). Yes, they are both set during the Great Depression, but they also involve two strong female characters who will stop at nothing to find their fathers. I think Wonder Show will find its place in the MG/younger YA audience. Though, it would suit a more mature middle grade reader as it is a dark book that deals with some issues like abandonment and suicide.
First, I love the cover by Evan B. Harris. It's beautiful and I think it definitely draws the eye. I also want a print of it to hang on my wall. Someone make this happen. Please.
Second, I enjoyed the book! From the first page, I was transported to the Depression era. I was drawn in by Barnaby's wonderful writing style, the story, and the colorful cast of characters. Portia has a fire and passion that I liked. No one, not even the creepy Mister is going to stand in her way! The narration style is different than any other book I've read recently (or that I can remember right now). It goes back and forth between third-person omniscient and first-person. The first-person is normally a page or two where the reader gets an inside glimpse of Portia and the other circus characters. I would expect something like this to throw me out of the story, but I really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts. I also don't think it happens enough to be a hindrance to the storytelling. I think of it as an enhancement. Especially since the reader learns more about the histories of the characters at these points.
If I have a big complaint, it would be that the end felt a bit rushed to me. The entire book I was waiting for an amazing climax and I feel almost like nothing happened. I was left with a "wait, that's it?" It's a very easily solved ending. Too easy, in my opinion.
Wonder Show reminds me a bit of Moon Over Manifest (a book I love!). Yes, they are both set during the Great Depression, but they also involve two strong female characters who will stop at nothing to find their fathers. I think Wonder Show will find its place in the MG/younger YA audience. Though, it would suit a more mature middle grade reader as it is a dark book that deals with some issues like abandonment and suicide.