The Circus Train, Amita Parikh
The Circus Train, Amita Parikh
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The Circus Train

Author: Amita Parikh

Narrator: Imogen Church

Unabridged: 14 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 12/06/2022


Synopsis

International Bestseller and #1 LibraryReads Pick

Water for Elephants meets The Night Circus in this World War II debut about a magnificent travelling circus, a star-crossed romance, and one girl’s coming-of-age during the darkest of times.

“A powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves.” —Pam Jenoff, author of The Orphan’s Tale

When all is lost, how do you find the courage to keep moving forward?

1938. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena—who uses a wheelchair after a childhood bout with polio—yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, her mind stronger than the limitations placed on her by society. Then her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past.

As World War II escalates around them, their friendship blossoms into something deeper while Alexandre trains as the illusionist’s apprentice. But when Theo and Alexandre are arrested and made to perform in a town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena is separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible—herself.

About The Author

Amita Parikh was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and received an Honours BSc from the University of Toronto. When she's not writing, she works in the tech industry. The Circus Train is her first novel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Melany on March 28, 2022

Absolutely breathtaking! This story is so mesmerizing! I absolutely got so absorbed into this book. The characters are great and how they evolve throughout the time span (I think it's 20 years) was beautifully thought out. I loved how the author wrote this book, heartbreakingly beautiful. Would high......more

Goodreads review by Danielle on October 05, 2023

This was a pretty darn good read. 😍 Given the time period (1938) and the travel through Amsterdam and Europe, I knew this one would be in my historical fiction wheel house. 🫶 The train full of performers being forced to put on shows and the youngsters connection, made for a great story. ❤️......more

Goodreads review by Liene on January 14, 2023

This book didn’t do any one thing atrociously, rather it did every single thing so mediocrely that the whole is an uninteresting and schlocky slog. If you don’t mind books that cover everything, from characters to historical events, in a hazy, glossy, surface-level way, you might enjoy this. If you d......more

Goodreads review by Jen on August 18, 2022

2.5 rounded down to 2. Meh. A lot of the writing was so corny, juvenile, and over dramatic like “a single tear rolled down his cheek”. I literally rolled my eyes several times. It felt like it was written by my 11yr old. The chapter near the end about Harry in India was totally unnecessary-I barely......more

Goodreads review by Karren on October 14, 2022

Lena Papadopoulos has grown up moving around Europe with The World of Wonders Circus and her father Theo is an illusionist. They travel by train and it’s rolling home on wheels, all the performers have their own sleeping quarters, they even have a cook and a doctor aboard. Theo loves his daughter an......more


Quotes

People’s Book of the Week January 2023
One of Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for December 2022
One of BookRiot’s 8 New Historical Fiction Reads Set During and After WWII
One of Library Journal’s Top 20 Fall Debut Novels
One of BookBub’s Best Historical Fiction Coming Out This December
One of The Globe and Mail’s 100 Best Books of 2022
 
“A sweeping love story set amid a travelling circus and the horrors of WWII. As the Nazis encroach, the performers struggle to survive betrayals and heartbreaking loss, all leading to a spinning-plates grand finale with an irresistible message: Finding your true self (and true love) is the greatest wonder of all.” –People

“A passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves.” —Pam Jenoff, author of The Woman With the Blue Star

“Magic, love, destiny, and illusion combine with the glitter of 20th century circus life and the heartbreak of war….A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss…Extraordinary debut.” —Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars

“A friendship turns into something more just as the Nazis are zeroing in on the traveling show.” —Washington Post

“Immersive and intricately plotted…Parikh has created a carefully researched historical debut whose bighearted, sensitive protagonist makes the reader’s emotional journey well worth it. Lively and richly detailed.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[A] multilevel story of friendship, love, and survival spanning the World War II era…It is Parikh’s sensitive eye toward the reality of living with polio in the 1930s to 1950s that is the real heart of this romantic tale.” —Library Journal

“Fascinating…Parikh’s extensive historical research adds authenticity to the lives of the circus performers as well as Lena’s disability, and the characters’ arcs highlight the ever-present dangers in WWII Europe and make palpable the strength of friendship. Fans of historical fiction will be drawn to this page-turner.” —Publishers Weekly

“Parikh creates storytelling magic in her absorbing tale of a young woman discovering her own capabilities.” —Booklist

“The juxtaposition of the magical and mysterious circus with the bleakness of pre-WWII Europe is enrapturing in this unique take on a well-worn time period.” —Buzzfeed

“This engaging debut is one of magic and love, tragedy and loss, resiliency and agency.” —Ms. Magazine

"A dazzling and delightful debut." —Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife

"Sit back and enjoy as this magical story transports you through war-torn Europe, demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways." —Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Secret Daughter

“Deeply entertaining and enchanting….A page-turner that holds onto its secrets until its satisfying conclusion. This richly drawn and captivating novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.”—Constance Sayers, author of The Ladies of the Secret Circus