The book was recommended to me by a friend who reads a lot and on many subjects. I purchased this set for my husband and I to listen to on a road trip from Illinois to Minnesota. From the first of the ten cds, it was easy to tell we were going to like it. The two narrator's voices (told from subject's young perspective and then as an old man during present conditions) were both riveting to me. It was told first person which, for me, made it hold more emotion. I am a vegetarian by choice so I was worried that there would be places in the book that I would want to skip. We skipped nothing and, although there were parts that made me cringe, I was able to get through them. It gave me a clear understanding of how horrific circus life was (maybe still is?) for most of the animals and so many of the people. The old man's narration was from a nursing home, and it was much like if you fastened a camera to the hat of a small child to gain a better understanding of what they see from their perspective. Just as life in the circus was difficult, life in the nursing home presented great challenges for him, too. The story kept our interest throughout our travel, and we both were anxious to finish it when we got home. It would be a spoiler to tell you whether or not it has a "happy ending". Let me just say, I have recommended this book/cd to all of the people with whom I've had discussions since we finished it!Read full review
Poignant story told by a "90 or 93" year old man in a assisted care facility about his life and times in the circus. You have never seen the circus from this vantage point. Wonderful story! This is a keeper: one to read again and again. The high recommendations and praise the "Virtual Book Club" (VBC) members gave persuaded me to seek it out. This is among the best of the best!
This book was recommended to me by a perfect stranger in the airport bookstore, but it was one of the best books I've read so far this year. The story is engaging immediately as the author gives us an idea of how the aged are cared for while at the same time, flashing back to a wonderful story about circus life and love. I will read this book again and savor it more this time.
It's not very often that I rate an audio book abouve a regular read, but this one is outstaning. The chracters were artfully brought to life not only by Sara Gruen the author but also by the reading of John Randolph Jones and David LaDoux. This is an incredible story that truly a great read! I would and do reccomend it to everyone.
I bought the book and the audio book as a present for my daughter. We already read the book and loved it. Its a circus theme about a man from about the age of 21 to the end of the book when he's in his 90's. Madness and mayhem, secrets and a very intelligent elephant make this a different and entertaining story. Never bought an audio book before, but I can say this on is really good. Two actors read the book, one for the young man and one for the old man. Excellent.
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