I do not have enough words to express how much I enjoyed The Circus Train, a historical novel by Amitra Parikh, a first-time novelist from Canada. The story completely captivated me within the first five pages. Its enchantment never waned or disappeared. I read The Circus Train courtesy of NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd in exchange for an honest review.

Spanning two decades, and one world war, the novel follows the World of Wonders, Europe’s most magnificent traveling circus, as it journeys across Europe, carrying the fortunes of two youngsters traveling within. Lena, the disabled daughter of an extraordinary illusionist, prefers the real-world magic of science and medicine to the make-believe magic of the circus, where her father is the headlining act. Friendless, with only a tutor for company, she buries herself in books until she stumbles across Alexandre, a Jewish runaway and pickpocket/thief. He has the natural skills of an illusionist and quickly begins studying under Lena's father. Predictably, they fall in love. Equally predictably, Alexandre develops into a master illusionist. This is no ordinary love story, however. As the circus crosses Europe, the German prosecution of the Jews reaches an inflection point. Jewish families disappear, entire villages are sent to concentration camps, and the World of Wonders Circus is cruelly betrayed and ruined.

The Circus Train is a beautifully told coming-of-age story set against one of the ugliest periods of recent history. It is heartbreaking, intense, compassionate, and a stunning achievement.

I read this book in one day. It was so good. Recommend that as soon as you can get your hands on a copy, get it. You will be glad you did.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This debut novel is a historical fiction really transported me into 1940-1950s Europe. The story follows the life of main character, Lena. Lena is living with polio and is the daughter of a celebrated illusionist. Lena's life is changed when one day she discovers a young stowaway on the train. Be prepared for a saga of a tale that deals with WWII Nazis and a tender coming-of-age tale. Parikh will have many eyes on her after this amazing debut.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pub. Date: December 6, 2022

Our heroine was born with Polio. We watch her fight to live a normal life. Well, as normal as can be for someone who grows up in a traveling circus. The blurb states that “The Circus Train” is a cross between “The Night Circus” and “Water for Elephants.” I enjoyed both of those books as I did “Train.” However, “Train” was more entertainment than historical fiction. The writing was lacking in comparison to the other two novels. Still, I did enjoy being entertained. It may not read believable but the magic, mystery, and the love story in Nazi-occupied Europe kept my interest.

If you are reading this review, this is your sign to buy this book ASAP!!
I wish I could read this over for the first time again, it was such a beautiful story.

This book takes place over two decades and follows the story of Lena Papadopoulos, her father, Theo, and her friend, Alexandre. Lena is a disabled young woman trying to find her place in the world. Theo is a headlining illusionist for the World of Wonders with a secret up his sleeve. The parts that I really loved was the representation of those with disabilities and the budding romance between Lena and Alexandre. Throughout the story we see love and loss and it was all around beautifully written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the e-ARC copy!

This book was amazing!! It took you through the difficult life of dealing with the after-effects and struggles of someone that dealt with polio at a young age while travelling with a circus that eventually travels through Europe during WWII. This book is full of enough emotions to have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. It's that good. Definitely another 5-star read!

This is such a rich and vivid story it was easy to get lost in. Lena was stricken with Polio as an infant and has been living life in a wheelchair ever since. The advances in treatment and assumptions about the disease were interesting to follow throughout the story. I was taken with many of the other characters as well as the historical timeframe. I enjoyed reading The Circus Train and look forward to reading more from Amita Parikh in the future. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

What a dazzling and breathtaking novel! I was instantly drawn into this mesmerizing world of wonder and could not stop reading.

The main character, Lena, is so endearing and such a pure heart. It was heartwarming to read about her perseverance towards her goals despite all the obstacles she faced. The writing was descriptive and painted a vivid and clear picture of what was going on and the story line was beautifully thought out. There was also a surprise twist which I did not expect but really added to the story!

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam for letting me read this wonderful book and congratulations Amita Parikh for your spectacular debut! This book deserves all the love and praise!

You know those books that open the door to a new world? Those books that draw you into the storyline, the atmosphere, and characters and won’t let you go? Captivating is not an overstatement. “The Circus Train” by Amita Parikh is one of those books. I cannot recommend this book enough and will be telling everyone about it. Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for the ARC copy.

Loved this book so much! I was instantly drawn in with the characters and setting. It was an interesting take on the world events during this time, though I do wish the book dug in a little deeper on the ghetto and overall impact on society.

The Circus Train is a remarkable book that I greatly enjoyed and I'd give it 10 stars if I could. The time is 1938, and Lena is very bright 9 year old girl who contracted polio as an infant and is confined to a wheelchair. Her great and seemingly impossible desire is to become a doctor. She has spent her childhood on a circus train with her father Theo, its featured magician. The train travels throughout Europe and is fantastical…the description of it is delicious, with its velvet walls, fine food, wonderful accommodations for the highly skilled performers and amazing costumes. It’s a world within itself.

Through a series of events an 11 year old boy, Alexandre, is taken in by Theo, and his Jewish identity is concealed for his safety. Lena has been excluded from the friendship of other children on the train because of her disability, but with Theo’s encouragement becomes close friends with Alexandre. However, both Theo and Alexandre guard deep, painful secrets.

As the train makes its annual travels throughout Europe, we witness the protective fatherly love of Theo, the growing bond of Lena and Alexandre, amazing circus performances, the greediness and betrayal of the circus owner, the increasing danger and terror of the Nazi regime, and the care Lena’s governess Clara takes to ensure her safety.

The personalities, thoughts and emotions of the characters are so well developed they became real people that I cared about. There were many emotional ups and downs, with secrets gradually revealed, lives changed for both good and bad, exciting and dangerous situations, all culminating in a satisfying ending.

I did not realize such a luxurious circus train could have actually existed in 1938, but in her notes the author includes interesting information about them, as well as magicians and illusionists, attitudes in that time period toward disabled people, and Nazi internment camps.

This is a clean book with no foul language or sexual situations. Although I read it as an uncorrected ebook from NetGalley, there were no typos, misspelled or incorrectly used words, which was refreshing.

Absolutely breathtaking! This story is so mesmerizing! I absolutely got so absorbed into this book. The characters are great and how they evolve throughout the time span (I think it's 20 years) was beautifully thought out. I loved how the author wrote this book, heartbreakingly beautiful. Would highly recommend to my friends. This is a historical fiction genre but the circus world the author builds with the words is just so thought out. Immersing you with every bit. The ending was such a tease with hints of the future for the characters. I absolutely loved this one!

This ARC was given to me from NetGalley and the publishers to read/review plus give my personal opinions on this book. All statements above are my own and based solely on my own opinions after reading the book.

Loved the writing style but the story itself was a little too slow paced for me! I loved the idea of the book and the story but the book itself moved a little slower than I would have liked. Nothing against the author, just couldn’t keep my attention.

I love WWII era historical fiction novels, and this one explored that era in a way I had yet to see done. The world-building was done beautifully, and I truly felt as if I was on the train with them. The characters all came across as dynamic to me, and I adored the plot. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that at times, the pacing felt off. It seemed to go a little slow in places, especially once Lena and Theo got separated. However, the book was very well done.

I wasn't sure what kind of book this would turn out to be; nor did I realize how many Circus themed books Ive read. But I can't really compare this to them bc the Circus is the setting but not it's own character; the War is mostly a plot device and we're spared some of the horrors that spill through the pages of most books taking place in that time. It's a love story but not just a romantic one. It's a story of determination and grit. About what happens when you believe. I needed an uplifting tale, and this has that. Is it completely believable? Nah. But then what's the point of the World if Wonders if not to escape? 3.5 stars rounded up

Oh my goodness I spent the weekend lost in the world of this book, and loved it!

I loved how deeply each of the characters was developed, and how all of their stories got wrapped up by the end. The author did a great job of truly completing the story.

This novel is historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres. I love walking away from a book having learned more about history than I knew before.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was touted to be a lot like The Night Circus and Water for Elephants, but despite the circus theme, I thought it was more like All the Light You Cannot See.

I wanted to enjoy it more than I ended up doing, and that had a lot to do with the disability rep. I was frustrated with the rhetoric around her being unable to walk. The author's note did explain some of the situation and how the character is treated, but I think there were better ways for the story to play out. Without giving away any spoilers, the situation's resolution felt ablelist. It was very reminiscent of Clara in Heidi - and we even have a different character named Heidi. Incidentally, there was also a bit of reverse Anne and Gilbert moment at one point.

Overall, it was an enjoyable novel but I think I could have done without some of the rhetoric - despite the explanation in the author's note. That situation had so much potential and the way the story played out ruined a lot of the magic of the book for me.

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley and HarperCollins.
Expected Publication: March 22, 2022

4.5 stars
This is a rich and beautifully written book. It was so easy to just get lost within the pages. I didn't want to put it down and when forced to, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. All signs of a great author and story!
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.