As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie.
It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an un-trainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Terri said:
Loveable book +5, Loveable Rob+ 5 = 10, of course!
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Jane Austen Global said:
Thank you for posting about this book and the fantastic upcoming video of the movie adapation. The book was so good that I could not sleep unless I read another chapter; each one was better than the last! How is man trapped within himself and how he explained himself as a youth was incredible! Not just a good read but a GREAT read!
iz4blue said:
I loved this book tremendously for it’s portrayal of this old man trapped in his body and the story flashing back to his younger self with him remembering his story that slowly dramatically unfolded!