By: Sarah GruenThere's something about Bestsellers. Not all, some get there because they're just as good as they can be. They're groundbreaking, lifechanging, unique, whatever. But some bestsellers, it seems, are just bestsellers because they're safe.
And that's not to say that this is by any means a bad book. Quite the opposite, its enjoyable, well written, and extreamly well researched. Its just a safe book. I don't even know why I'm thinking that's such a big deal to even mention that here. Its just has "best seller material" written on every page. Good story, page turning, safe. WfE the story of this guy who loses his family and joins the circus. He's dropped out of vetrinary school, and luckily he stumbles upon the caravan just as their prize horse is developing some hoof issues. There he falls in love with a performer who is in an abusive relationship, makes friends with a grumpy dwarf, and train an elephant. The story begins and ends on a circus tradgedy in which animals escape and people get killed in the ensuing chaos.
Gruen does a fantastic job of creating a well researched and believable depression-era story. She weaves what were real circus stories and events into a fictional framework, and paints a great picture of one slice of life in a very different time. She also does a very good job at educating her readers about elephants.
Smart animals, them.
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