Here is a review by Jennifer: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2145990583

Born with what some would call an anomaly or defect, Lilly is locked in an attic until her mother sells her to a circus sideshow. In the 1930s, those who were deemed different or deformed were often considered monsters. Many were ashamed that their child was different or not normal. PT Barnum was the first, I believe, to gather together these societal misfits and put them on display. For some, the circus life was all they knew and for others it was a horrific ordeal. Lilly's experiences in the circus aren't easy to read and abuse was rampant, but she found a life and love there as well. She tried to make the most of the life she was given as long as she was able to.

Julia's life mirrors Lilly's in some ways and as she discovers more about who the mysterious young girl in the photos is, she learns about her own strengths and who she is.

Some books are easy to read, enjoyed and then forgotten. Other books are difficult and you have to muddle your way through them and force yourself to continue. And then there are books that tug at your heartstrings and make you think and ponder as you continue reading what should simply be defined as plot and characters, but what is really a study of life and human behavior.

While mostly Lilly's story, the movement between both women's experiences strengthens their bond and enriches the novel. At times heart-wrenching, this is not always an easy story to read, but it is compelling and begs the reader to continue..

The story isn't inherently happy, but there are moments of hope and the title is appropriate for both Lilly and Julia. There is a mildly graphic instance of animal abuse that is central to a plot in the story.

I loved this book so much. Sad yet uplifting, horrifying and touching. it's one of those books that will stay with you. I am just having a hard time expressing what I loved about this one.

Highly recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my copy of this great book.

I've learned a bit about history in every book by this author. Told from two different eras, Lilly's in the 1930's, and Julia's in the 1950's, the story delves into the struggles both girls face with family secrets and making their way on their own in life.

This novel was as heart-wrenching as Ellen's other books but I really struggled with the way Lilly's parents treated her. The poor girl went from being a prisoner in her own home to a prisoner in the circus.
I was happy she found love and acceptance there--two things she never received at home.

The story will make you think about how we treat people who are "different". The history of circus life was eye-opening for me and I can only hope it has improved over the years. Another great historical fiction book by this author!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Lilly sections of the novel in the 1930s, especially the circus sections, where Lilly is sold into virtual slavery to the freak show.

The cruelty to animals and to people who were different reminded me of some of the tales my mother used to tell me as a child, when for example it was perfectly acceptable to chase someone with learning difficulties down the street. Lilly's life in seclusion before this event is also realistically portrayed – you could imagine it happening.

I enjoyed the Julia sections, set in the 1950s less, as they read more like a young adult novel, with lots of ‘telling not showing’ around Julia’s emotions. Some of the plot seemed too neat, and the conclusion is somewhat abrupt. However, taken in the round, it was a very interesting, well-conceived novel.

THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN by ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN was a moving, haunting, and heartbreaking tale with an intriguing and engaging storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I have a fascination for circus themed books and this one kept me entertained and spellbound right to the very end.

ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN delivers a vivid, descriptive, and well-written read here with some uncomfortable and cringe worthy scenes that were difficult to read at times. The story is told in alternating perspectives of two very different and remarkable young women from Lilly Blackwood in the 1930’s and Julia Blackwood in the 1950’s.  I enjoyed both perspectives and stories equally. How these two women are connected to each other and their stories is the beauty of this novel.

To sum it all up it was a heart-wrenching, sad, hopeful, and a compelling fast-paced read with an ending that I found to be totally satisfying and shocking.  I also love that cover and the title of this book and found both to be extremely fitting to this novel.  Would recommend!!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Ellen Marie Wiseman for the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was way up there as one of the best! I couldn't put it down. You need to read this book!! Highly recommend!

What a wonderful book! The author drew me in by fully captivating my heart and my mind. Ms. Wiseman does a wonderful job of making you feel like you know each individual character. An incredible story.

The Life She Was Given is a tragic tale about two girls who live at Blackwood Manor. One is Lily, a girl struck with albinism who leaves when she is sold to the circus. The second is Julia, who returns home after her parents have died. How the two are connected and what becomes of their lives unfolds in alternating chapters following each girl's trials and tribulations.
Lily's story takes place across the country as she travels with the circus. At first she is a side show spectacle showing off her colorless features who works her way up to working with the elephants, Lily's favorite activity. Meanwhile Julia learns to care for the horses they breed at Blackwood Manor. But Julia's life becomes more interesting as she begins to unwind the mystery that is Blackwood Manor.
I enjoyed Lily's tale the most even though it is by far the saddest. Ellen Marie Wiseman paints a vibrant and cruel picture of the circus life. The book shines when these dynamics of the world is exposed. You truly root for Lily to overcome all the obstacles ahead of here.
The biggest problem with the book is the last chapter. Despite the tragedies chronicled in the book, the story ends with a neat bow and a saccharine happy ending. I was disappointed not to have a more philosophical or heartfelt ending.
Over all, I enjoyed the tale even though it was sad (it wasn't so sad that I cried) but be aware. :-)

<p>I’m finding it very difficult to put into words how I feel about this book. On one hand I really enjoyed it, but on the other hand I found it quite heart-breaking. So I ask myself – How can something that is so heart-breaking be enjoyable? This is where my struggle for this review lies.</p>
<p>The synopsis does a very good job of setting the stage for this book. Anything I could say here about that would be very repetitive. The book is told by Lilly and Julia in alternating perspectives and time periods. These two young girls/women both experienced difficult upbringings, but they each took a very different path in life.</p>
<p>I have read several historical fiction books with the circus theme, but this one is quite different because it focuses on the side-show aka “the freak show”. We are taken into the world of those who are different from ourselves. You would think they would be upset to be put on display and gawked at, but as Glory (the tattoo girl) tells us – if there is no “freak show” they wouldn’t have a job, so for that they are grateful.</p>
<p>From the day Lilly was born she was subjected to rejection and abuse. She asks for very little out of life other than to understand why. Once she was sold to the circus, I had high hopes that things would turn around for her and they did for a period of time. She found friendship and love, things she never thought would be possible while locked up in the attic. Unfortunately her life took a turn for the worse, you’ll have to read the book to find out more about that.</p>
<p>Julia’s storyline read more like a mystery to me and was a bit sad, but not nearly as heart-breaking as Lilly’s. She ran away from home at the age of fifteen after her father passed away, and her mother blamed her for her dad’s death. She promptly returns home after receiving a letter telling her that her mom has passed away and Blackwood Manor House Farm is now hers. Now that she is home she decides once and for all to uncover the secrets of Blackwood Manor. She wants to know why her mother was always so cold and why her father always kept his distance.</p>
<p>Both of these story lines touched my heart but Lilly’s story was heart-wrenching. She stole my heart and I just wanted to give her a big hug and take her under my wing. I cannot imagine how lonely and rejected Lilly must have felt living in the attic and how scary it must have been for her to be sold to a circus at the young age of nine. It did my heart good to see her form some special relationships in the circus, so there is a silver lining.</p>
<p>I do have to give you a little warning. There is some animal abuse that was a difficult to read. My heart always bleeds for innocent animals. It is not the main focus of the book, but I felt a warning was warranted nonetheless.</p>
<p>I enjoyed reading the Author’s Note and learning where she came up with the inspiration for this book. I always enjoy getting a glimpse into an author’s head and seeing their creative process. I think this book would make a really good book club read, there is so much to talk about and it would be really interesting to hear the perspectives of others.</p>
<p>*Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corporation, and Ellen Marie Wiseman for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion.</p>

This story captivated me from its first words. The story of Lilly a little girl hidden away in the attic by her parents for 10 years until she is sold to a circus freakshow. Julia returning home after years of estrangement; her mother is dead & there is a mansion of secrets to uncover. As we wind between these 2 women & learn the ties that bind them, we watch stories of abuse, of cruelty, but also of love & hope. I couldn't look away & I didn't want to.

This wasn't as carefree a book as I mistakenly thought it would be, with comparisons to other circus books in mind. Lily is forced to join the circus, layers of sad and depressing things have happened to her.

A devastating novel that peeks into the life of a girl who was never truly given a chance to live. The author holds us spellbound, page after page.. Definitely recommend this novel!

A thousand stars would probably be more accurate. What a magnificent book.

This is one of those stories that will shatter your heart in billions of pieces and you'll still be grateful for the chance to be part of that world for a while. For the memories it will imprint in your brain, heart, and soul forever.

Lilly is one of the most beautiful and endearing characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading, and also, most unfortunately, one of the saddest ones. Her story is one of heartbreaking, of cruelty, of loss, of unbearable desperation. However, it is also one of resilience and making the best with what you were given. Of finding happiness in the most unlikely of scenarios.

I felt so intensely each new emotion her story evoked, and followed the life she was given as if my own depended on it. When I realized were the story was taking her journey I felt such a desperation at my impotence, at the fact that was nothing I could do to help her.

Julia's story is also not a happy one at first but for sure not as tough, as raw as Lilly's. Nevertheless, they have much in common and her chapters are essential to understand Lilly's narrative. To see the truth unveil through her eyes was moving. And also to see her blossoming into the <spoiler> daughter of such a marvelous couple, growing to make their memories flourish, to make animals see how some humans are worthy of their love. </spoiler>

I have only one minor complain; the beginning of each chapter when the POV changed summarize what had happened at the end of the last one and it was a tad annoying after a while. The chapters are short and the story is so engaging that truly there was no need for the constant reminders. A very small thing that did not diminish my love for this gorgeous novel.

I'd like immensely to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I am a fan of circus-themed books; find them interesting and informative about a life I can only imagine. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen are two examples of books I thoroughly enjoyed. This book was no exception; though often difficult to read about the lives of the “freaks” and big top entertainers, it was informative and entertaining.

The novel is told from two points of view. Lilly, in the early 1930’s, a young girl living locked in an attic for 10 years with very little knowledge of the outside world. She has been told repeatedly by her mother that she is a monster, the sight of her will scare people; never having seen herself, Lilly believes this to be true.

Lilly’s mother, unbeknownst to her father decides to sell Lilly to the circus in her 10th year. Lilly becomes an integral part of the circus, making friends and realizing she is not a monster nor does she scare people; it hurts her deeply and fully to realize her parents lied to her. She accepts she is different and in the circus, it is an asset.
Alternating chapters are told by Julia, an 18 year old girl during the 1950’s. Julia ran away from a suffocating home when she was very young and is now struggling to make a living. She has an abusive boyfriend and no prospects for a better future. When things are on a definite downturn Julia receives a letter saying she has inherited her parent’s farm; Blackwood Manor.

Blackwood Manor comes with family secrets and the truth about o Julia AND Lilly’s lives.

The history of Blackwood Manor and the horses being raised there make for an interesting story; along with the details of circus life it was a win for me.

This novel will break your heart.  You have been warned.  Read it anyway.  

Lilly Blackwood is a child born to wealthy parents who keep her hidden and living in their attic during the 1930’s.  She is eventually sold to the circus where at first she does not fit in or even wants to fit in.  Over time Lilly makes a family and home for herself in the circus.  While Lilly does find happiness in the circus, she also experiences terrible sadness and devastation.  

To tell too much is to spoil the story for those who have not read it yet.  This book has alternating timelines.  One set in the 1930’s that covers Lilly’s life, and another in the 1950’s covering Julia’s life.  Both are necessary to fully reveal Lilly’s story.  

I had a hard time putting this book down and looked forward to going back to it as soon as I could.  The writing style kept me engaged.  It is definitely my favorite book I’ve read so far this year.  I would give it six stars if a sixth were available.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel.

This was my first Wiseman book and I will tell you that it will not be my last. This story was brutal, sad and beautiful all at the same time. The resilience of the human spirit absolutely amazes me and I will be remembering this story for a long long time.

My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced readers copy!

This book is absolutely stunning. This author just keeps getting better. This tells the story of Lilly who spent the first 10 years of her life locked in her parents' attic. Her deeply religious mother calls her an abomination and there are no mirrors allowed in the attic, so Lilly doesn't understand why this is the case. I was having flashbacks to reading Flowers in the Attic, which the author admits to being a fan of. One night, when her father is away, the mother sells Lilly to the circus. And you'll have to read the book to find out what else happens. It also tells the story of Julia who has run away from Blackwood Manor (same house with the attic) and is struggling to make ends meet until a lawyer tracks her down and informs her that she has inherited Blackwood Manor upon the death of her mother. Julia returns to her childhood home and starts unraveling the mysteries contained within. There is also a strong theme about cruelty to animals which adds an extra layer to the novel, sort of filling it out. I thought this was truly wonderful and I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next.

The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Source: Natgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:

It’s not often I get to the end of a book and must really think about if I liked it or not. I can’t honestly say I liked Ellen Marie Wiseman’s The Life She Was Given, but I can say I appreciated so much about it that I am able to genuinely award this book a very solid four-star rating.

From beginning to end, this book is the twisted and sad story of a family warped by fear, religious extremes, hatred, and ignorance. Lily Blackwood is just ten years old when she’s forced to leave her family and join the circus. As one of the so-called “freaks,” it is Lily’s job to awe and amaze circus goers with her otherness, but at ten years old, all she really understands is having been abandoned by the only two people she has ever known in her entire life, her parents. Lily’s first months and years with the circus are marked by moments of pure terror, fear for her life, and only a few moments of true happiness. Sadly, this cycle will be never-ending and not truly understood by another human being until nearly two decades later when another family member uncovers the truth of Lily Blackwood’s life.

When Julia Blackwood returns to Blackwood Manor, it is under a cloud of despair. Her parents are both dead (though not particularly missed) and the home she has inherited is marred by years upon years of bad memories. In so many ways, the house feels haunted and as Julia begins picking her way through the rooms, many of which she was never allowed in, she discovers a whole host of evil and awful secrets kept from her by her deceased parents. With little in the way of answers, Julia turns to the Manor’s farm hand to help he unravel the mystery of her home and family. What Julia discovers brings to mind the old adage, ignorance is bliss.

As Lily and Julia’s stories unfold, it brings them ever closer to colliding. As the past hurtles toward the present, Julia is faced with some very difficult decisions about her future and the future of the seemingly cursed Blackwood Manor.

The Bottom Line: As this was my first Ellen Marie Wiseman book, I wasn’t precisely sure what to expect. I can’t say I enjoyed this book as the plot is just so dark and twisted and filled with so much tragedy and precious few moments of happiness. There is actually one scene I couldn’t even read ☹ What I did like is the craftsmanship involved in the writing of this book and the ability, on the part of the author, to let this tremendously sad tale be just that, a tremendously sad tale. Wiseman makes no attempt to make this something more than what it is, to take generations of anger and hurt, ignorance and fear and make them all suddenly disappear with the revelation of the secrets. In all, I found this book both disturbing and unsettling in the best way possible and immediately went to Amazon and bought two other of Wiseman’s books, The Plum Tree and What She Left Behind.

I found this novel to be a compelling and strenuous story with disturbing layers hidden beneath its inquisitive tone. Overlapping histories, the cruel torment of eager tenderness, and all of it influenced by a disgusted matriarch. I really liked what Wiseman did with her take on child abuse across generations and the shocking parallels she draws up between Lilly and Julie.

As the events foretold by borh characters unfold its imminent when their histories overlap.

All in all, I'd classify The Life She Was Given as a haunting and tender classic.