Review: This storyline is unique and captivating as well as romantic. Gruen paints a beautiful and vivid picture of the 1930's and of the circus. The class system created between the roustabouts and the performers is perfectly executed down to the vernacular. The segregation between the working class and the unemployed is prominent as well. These two class distinctions make the reader associate well with Jacob and connect with his thought process. The circus is an exciting yet highly dangerous place to be in this story. The ending is fantastic and to me a complete surprise (the movie was great as well, although slightly different of course, still a good book to movie translation).
Synopsis: Jacob Jankowski is about to sit for his final exams to graduate from college and become a veterinarian when he receives news that shatters his world. Escaping from his reality Jacob hops a train only to find that its the Benzini Brothers Circus. Jacob lucks out and gets himself a job with the circus during the Depression. Soon Jacob is in over his head with all different characters that make up this circus and it is not all fun and games like it appears. With his role as the circus' vet Jacob is in with the elite August and his wife Marlena. In this circus August runs the show and when he hits it big by purchasing Rosie the bull elephant things begin to change.
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