I am of two minds about this book. On one hand, I really enjoyed it. It’s quite well written and the story is an interesting one that kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what happens next. On the other hand, its setting is a circus in 1931, when animal brutality was rampant. I’m not a fan of the circus novel, and hate reading about animal cruelty. For much of the novel, I found myself alternating between wincing and cringing, taking pauses to hug my sweet puppy**, and wanting to do serious bodily harm to the circus’ animal director (gnash teeth).
The story in a nutshell: Ninety or ninety-three year old Jacob Jankowski is living out his final days in a nursing home when a circus comes to town and sets up the big tent in the parking lot across the street. This sends Jacob down memory lane to 1931, the year his parents died, when the bank took their house, and he jumped a train, suddenly finding himself a part of the Benzini Brothers’ Most Spectacular Show on Earth. The world of train circus’ and circus life circa 1930s comes vividly to life, with all its unique characters, animals and events. Throw in some romance, a couple of dastardly villains, and some very cute animals and their antics, and it’s a winning formula for a good book. I just wish there wasn’t such a realistic portrayal of how circus animals were treated back then.
Despite my dislike for the circus novel, I do have to give credit for the author’s skill in drawing realistic characters, and bringing history to life. Jacob’s struggle to leave boyhood behind when the tragedy of his parents’ sudden death thrusts him into adulthood, is compounded with his struggles against August, the schizophrenic animal director, who takes much of his anger out on the animals. Jacob, a Cornell trained veterinarian, is caught between helping/protecting the animals, and keeping himself alive, for working men on the circus train who meddle in the business of circus boss Uncle Al or important performers like August, find themselves “redlighted” or thrown off the train, usually when it’s moving. Add to this is Jacob’s growing attraction to and love for the beautiful Marlena, caught in a loveless marriage to August, and often a victim of his rantings, anger, and before long, physical abuse. Jacob must find a way to save her, the animals and himself. No easy feat for young man on the cusp of adulthood who must also contend with a tanking economy at the start of the Great Depression.
Friendship, camaraderie, and love of fellow man and man for beast are woven like silken threads throughout a story that I would probably describe as beautiful set against any other background. The circus thing just tarnished the story too much for me.
What my fellow book clubbers had to say:
We had a great turnout at the Green Bean Café last night, which provided for some wonderfully diverse discussion of the book. Reviews were mixed, with some liking the book and others not. We were of two minds regarding the main character. Some found Jacob to be weak; not stepping in to stop the abuse of the animals or instance, and others attributed this to his youth and being uncomfortable confronting an authority figure (in the role of August). Also, the grief he was experiencing at the death of his parents must have played a huge role in how he dealt with experiences. It was felt that he grew up in the end, and was able to take on substantial responsibility with the choices he made at the end of the book. It is also worth noting that the book is told in both present day and in the past, through memory. Some of us liked the ninety plus-year-old character of Jacob, and enjoyed his story more than the young Jacob’s experiences in the circus, while for others it was the other way around.
Many of us agreed that the book was well-written, and that the author had clearly done her research and was skillful in bringing history to life in her descriptions of Depression Era circuses. Even if that setting was not everyone’s cup of tea. And while the male characters were well drawn, the character of Marlena was not as fully fleshed out as it should have been, considering she played such a large role in the great romance. Many of us were left wondering what, other than her great beauty, Jacob saw in her to hold his attraction. I understand, from comments made of those who have seen the movie, that her character is given more justice on the silver screen. I look forward to comparing the two when my hold on the DVD at the public library finally comes in.
Regardless how you look at it, this book led to some lively discussion around the table, and for that alone, made it well worth reading.
Till next time, happy reading!
L :)
** This is why I don’t understand animal cruelty and never will. How could anyone hurt this sweet face?
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