Reviews
"Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 in The Circus Train , Amita Parikh's masterful first novel. The story centers around Lena, the extraordinary daughter of a world-renowned illusionist, whose world at first remains small, despite the fact that she lives about a glamorous circus train that crisscrosses Europe. But when a young Jewish refugee with a talent for magic finds his way aboard in the early years of World War II, Lena's life changes forever as he shows her that she alone holds the key to building a better existence for herself. A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut." --Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between, "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague, "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 in The Circus Train , Amita Parikh's masterful first novel. The story centers around Lena, the extraordinary daughter of a world-renowned illusionist, whose world at first remains small, despite the fact that she lives about a glamorous circus train that crisscrosses Europe. But when a young Jewish refugee with a talent for magic finds his way aboard in the early years of World War II, Lena's life changes forever as he shows her that she alone holds the key to building a better existence for herself. A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut." --Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "In this deeply entertaining and enchanting debut novel, Amita Parikh weaves a magical tale of a young girl trying to find her place in the world. Lena Papadopolous, the daughter of a famous circus illusionist, is also confined to a wheelchair from childhood polio. Longing for friendship and acceptance, Lena rescues a boy who is running from the Gestapo and begins a lifelong friendship. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book is 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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between, 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 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, 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 The Globe and Mail 's 100 Best Books of 2022 "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, "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between, One of BookRiot 's 8 New Historical Fiction Reads Set During and After WWII One of Library Journal 's Top 20 Fall Debut Novels "Amita Parikh has written 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 in The Circus Train , Amita Parikh's masterful first novel....A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut." --Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars "Immersive and intricately plotted...Lena, Alexandre, and Theo are lovable characters, each backed by three-dimensional backstories that expand and intersect satisfyingly as the novel progresses...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...[Parikh's] research into circuses, concentration camps, and disability all provide a keen historical realism to her characters and events. Indeed, 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 " A dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between "A lush, luminous story of outsiders....Parikh's prose shimmers; get ready to be immersed in its rich textures and breathtaking illusions...But the real magic is human connection, a sense of belonging, self-fulfillment. I cheered until the final page for Parikh's characters who strive to beat the odds in a world of turmoil, characters drawn with great love by their creator, in this novel so generous in scope and heart." --Jeanette Lynes, The Small Things That End the World, 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 "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 " 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, One of BookRiot ''s 8 New Historical Fiction Reads Set During and After WWII One of Library Journal ''s Top 20 Fall Debut Novels "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist''s apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 in The Circus Train , Amita Parikh''s masterful first novel. The story centers around Lena, the extraordinary daughter of a world-renowned illusionist, whose world at first remains small, despite the fact that she lives about a glamorous circus train that crisscrosses Europe. But when a young Jewish refugee with a talent for magic finds his way aboard in the early years of World War II, Lena''s life changes forever as he shows her that she alone holds the key to building a better existence for herself. A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut." --Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars "[A] luminous narrative." -- Library Journal "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman''s strive for independence, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "In this deeply entertaining and enchanting debut novel, Amita Parikh weaves a magical tale of a young girl trying to find her place in the world. Lena Papadopolous, the daughter of a famous circus illusionist, is also confined to a wheelchair from childhood polio. Longing for friendship and acceptance, Lena rescues a boy who is running from the Gestapo and begins a lifelong friendship. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book is 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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh''s skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between, One of BookRiot 's 8 New Historical Fiction Reads Set During and After WWII "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 in The Circus Train , Amita Parikh's masterful first novel. The story centers around Lena, the extraordinary daughter of a world-renowned illusionist, whose world at first remains small, despite the fact that she lives about a glamorous circus train that crisscrosses Europe. But when a young Jewish refugee with a talent for magic finds his way aboard in the early years of World War II, Lena's life changes forever as he shows her that she alone holds the key to building a better existence for herself. A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut." --Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "In this deeply entertaining and enchanting debut novel, Amita Parikh weaves a magical tale of a young girl trying to find her place in the world. Lena Papadopolous, the daughter of a famous circus illusionist, is also confined to a wheelchair from childhood polio. Longing for friendship and acceptance, Lena rescues a boy who is running from the Gestapo and begins a lifelong friendship. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book is 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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between, 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, "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague, "Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written 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 in The Circus Train , Amita Parikh's masterful first novel. The story centers around Lena, the extraordinary daughter of a world-renowned illusionist, whose world at first remains small, despite the fact that she lives about a glamorous circus train that crisscrosses Europe. But when a young Jewish refugee with a talent for magic finds his way aboard in the early years of World War II, Lena's life changes forever as he shows her that she alone holds the key to building a better existence for herself. A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut." --Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars "The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read." --Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife "This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope." --Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan "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 "In this deeply entertaining and enchanting debut novel, Amita Parikh weaves a magical tale of a young girl trying to find her place in the world. Lena Papadopolous, the daughter of a famous circus illusionist, is also confined to a wheelchair from childhood polio. Longing for friendship and acceptance, Lena rescues a boy who is running from the Gestapo and begins a lifelong friendship. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book is 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 "A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine." --Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague "I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train . The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come." --Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between, 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 The Globe and Mail 's 100 Best Books of 2022 "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 " 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
