394 pages
English language
Published Dec. 28, 2007 by Allen & Unwin.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned, jumps onto a passing train, he enters the world of a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after town. A veterinary student, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus animals. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
It's hard to describe how much I loved this book - I could have easily stayed up all night reading it. The circus world painted by Gruen is believable as well as emotional. The portrayal of Jacob as an elderly man was also very well done. In the end, though, the animals stole the show.
