So, so much better than the movie- as is most often the case. I loved the look inside the behind the scenes of a travelling circus- which is long ago now. Tough to read the animal parts, but it's important to know. The parts of the story told by the main character as an elderly man were my favourites- so touching

I loved this book. It was engaging and kept the reader interested. For me, it was a page turner. Nearing the end of the book I found myself wishing there was a bit more to read but it completed the story. Definitely suggest this as a read for anyone looking for a new book.

The title captured my attention when I was looking for a book to read. I enjoyed it. It had it's long and dull moments, but overall it had my attention. If I had to summarize it, I'd say it's a story of forbidden lust and love.

A very interesting and easy read about life in the circus during the depression! I got fully immersed in the characters. Great story jumps from present to past and back again. I have not seen the movie yet, so I cannot compare it to that.

I finally read this book over the summer and I LOVED IT. I was so impressed with the writing style and the progression of the story. I could not put this book down and I finished it fairly quickly. I decided to watch the movie after reading the book, and if the movie and book were two separate things, they would both be good in my eyes. The movie being based on the book...it doesn't work, I couldn't buy it as a based on the book movie because of all the changes they made. Read the book!!

One of my favourite books! Such a lovely story line about love and hardship. I was so excited when I heard there was a movie coming out, but was greatly disappointed in it. The book is far superior to the movie. Read it!

I watched this on Netflix and really enjoyed it so much that I ordered the book from Amazon.This book is so hard to put down.I couldn't get this story out of my head I only wished I had of read the book before seeing the movie.The story is dark during the terrible days of the Great Depression and life in a Eerie circus.Jacob tells his story when he is in his nineties.Jacob falls back into his riveting story of joining the Benzini Brothers.The beautiful relationship between Jacob and the bull elephant Rosie oh how I love that elephant!I'm not afraid to admit scenes in the movie with Rosie and in the book me cry like crazy.His love for Marlena is wonderful such a unique love story.How much I disliked August the animal trainer such a heartless man.This is a great book I would recommend it to anyone.

i recently bought this book at a yard sale and loved it i had watched the movie first and loved it so i figured the book had to be just as good as the movie, only i found the book better. id recommoned this to anyone who loves to read

I read this for a book club I am part of and wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it, as a book about a circus didn't seem appealing....but I LOVED it...I read it over a year and still think about it...it had all great aspects a book should have...romance, suspense, drama..it was an exciting read and I couldn't put it down...I am an avid reader, and find it hard to find books that make an impression on me, but this one sure did....

Incredible! The magic, mystery and romance of the circus, suspense and a love story all rolled into one. I purchased it to read on a recent beach vacation and couldn't put it down (I had the sunburn to prove it).