{"product_id":"the-circus-train-9780349994123","title":"The Circus Train","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE MAGICAL INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''A compelling story of magic and survival against the odds.'' \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e SUNDAY TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''Uplifting . . . a welcome escape from our turbulent times.''\u003cb\u003e \u003ci\u003eGUARDIAN\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''An enchanting story of love, loss and survival'' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eMAIL ON SUNDAY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e''Full of hope and bravery\u003cb\u003e'' \u003ci\u003ePRIMA\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrought together by magic. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTorn apart by war.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e_________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEurope, 1938. Even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the World of Wonders  - a travelling circus that traverses the continent in a luxury steam engine. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite the limitations she feels in her wheelchair. But when a young French orphan, Alexandre, comes aboard the circus train, Lena''s life is infused with magic and wonder for the first time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut outside the bri\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA\u003cb\u003e magical, vibrant parade of a nove\u003c\/b\u003el about extraordinary people finding light in history's darkest decades. \u003cb\u003eSpellbinding stuff\u003c\/b\u003e -- Erin Kelly, author of HE SAID SHE SAID\u003cbr\u003eIntricately plotted with a rich cast of characters, \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is a\u003cb\u003e compelling story of magic and survival against the odds\u003c\/b\u003e. * SUNDAY TIMES *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn enchanting story of love, loss and survival in a world wrecked by war\u003c\/b\u003e -- Eithne Farry * MAIL ON SUNDAY *\u003cbr\u003eImpeccably researched . . .\u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is unashamedly romantic, but Parikh is never mawkish. Lena is an intelligent, feisty heroine and her rite of passage is compelling. In the end, this is \u003cb\u003ean uplifting read and a welcome escape from our turbulent times\u003c\/b\u003e. -- Lucy Popescu * GUARDIAN *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLucinda Riley fans will love this heartwarming novel\u003c\/b\u003e . . . a story full of hope and bravery -- Nina Pottell * PRIMA *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA gorgeous debut, full of wonder, hope and heartbreak\u003c\/b\u003e * WOMAN'S WEEKLY *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eParikh's storytelling skills evoke the world of duplicity and desperation lying behind the scenes of circus dazzle.\u003c\/b\u003e Thorough research adds a further note of welcome authenticity. \u003cb\u003eA compelling story of love, loss, betrayal and deceit\u003c\/b\u003e overshadowed by the threat of World War II. -- Fanny Blake * DAILY MAIL *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eUtterly absorbing \u003c\/b\u003e -- Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE WINTER GARDEN\u003cbr\u003eStep onto \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train \u003c\/i\u003eand prepare for a \u003cb\u003efantastical journey back in time,\u003c\/b\u003e to another world with \u003cb\u003evibrant characters that leap from the page\u003c\/b\u003e. I read \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e in just two sittings, immersed in Lena's world, fascinated by the historical details that the author cleverly weaves through the plot. \u003cb\u003eHighly recommended if you love historical fiction with a touch of heart-warming and magical romance, or if you crave a huge dose of adventure.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e -- Louise Morrish, author of OPERATION MOONLIGHT\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStunning\u003c\/b\u003e . . . \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train \u003c\/i\u003econjures up the \u003cb\u003eglittering story\u003c\/b\u003e of Lena, a young, disabled woman in a travelling circus. In the face of terrible adversity, she is determined not just to survive, but to thrive. -- Polly Crosby, author of THE ILLUSTRATED CHILD\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ea cinematic tale\u003c\/b\u003e, languorously crafted to \u003cb\u003eimmerse readers into the world of magic and subterfuge\u003c\/b\u003e. Parikh is \u003cb\u003ea natural storyteller \u003c\/b\u003e- her lines imbue the novel with a poetic authenticity and legitimacy that we saw in Sara Gruen's novel \u003ci\u003eWater for Elephants\u003c\/i\u003e and, to some extent, Erin Morgenstern's \u003ci\u003eThe Night Circus\u003c\/i\u003e. * SYDNEY HERALD *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbsorbing and satisfying\u003c\/b\u003e -- Sarah Morgan, author of SLEEPLESS IN MANHATTAN\u003cbr\u003eA spellbinding and life affirming novel,\u003ci\u003e \u003cb\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e captivates from the very first page\u003c\/b\u003e -- Iris Costello, author of THE SECRETS OF ROCHESTER PLACE\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ean epic, beautifully researched, heart-in-mouth adventure with magic on every page\u003c\/b\u003e. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Lena, Theo and Alexandre's world. -- Emma Styles, author of NO COUNTRY FOR GIRLS\u003cbr\u003eI spent a \u003cb\u003ewonder-filled \u003c\/b\u003eafternoon immersed in \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eSweeping and captivating \u003c\/b\u003ehistorical fiction. -- Sophie Anderson, author of THE THIEF WHO SANG STORMS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI very much enjoyed\u003ci\u003e The Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e -- Alexandra Bell, author of THE WINTER GARDEN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne of my favourite books of the year\u003c\/b\u003e . . . a \u003cb\u003ebeautiful \u003c\/b\u003enovel -- Stacey Thomas, author of THE REVELS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA poignant story \u003c\/b\u003eof a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. \u003cb\u003eHeartbreak, romance and love\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003efilter throughout\u003c\/b\u003e and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope -- Glynis Peters, author of THE SECRET ORPHAN\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion\u003c\/b\u003e, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. \u003cb\u003eIn Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine\u003c\/b\u003e. -- Carol Windley, author of 'Midnight Train to Prague'\u003cbr\u003eSit back and enjoy as this \u003cb\u003emagical story transports you through war-torn Europe,\u003c\/b\u003e demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways. -- Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Shape of Family\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ea lush, luminous story of outsiders, \u003c\/b\u003ethose disadvantaged by accidents of birth or menacing political regimes. Amita Parikh's prose shimmers; \u003cb\u003eget ready to be immersed in its rich textures and breathtaking illusions - fire jugglers, mermaid-acrobats, and more\u003c\/b\u003e. But the real magic is human connection, a sense of belonging, self-fulfillment. I cheered until the final page for Parikh's characters who strive to beat the odds in a world of turmoil, characters drawn with great love by their creator, in \u003cb\u003ethis novel so generous in scope and heart.\u003c\/b\u003e -- Jeanette Lynes, author of 'The Small Things that End the World'\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is a \u003cb\u003edazzling and delightful\u003c\/b\u003e debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into \u003cb\u003ea mesmerizing tale of colourful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world.\u003c\/b\u003e I thoroughly enjoyed this read -- Ellen Keith, bestselling author of 'The Dutch Wife'\u003cbr\u003eSet against the\u003cb\u003e vivid and original\u003c\/b\u003e backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e is . . . \u003cb\u003ea powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves\u003c\/b\u003e -- Pam Jenoff, author of  THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMagic, love, destiny, and illusion combine with the glitter of 20th century circus life \u003c\/b\u003eand the heartbreak of war in \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e, Amita Parikh's masterful first novel . . .. A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss. \u003cb\u003eAn extraordinary debut.\u003c\/b\u003e -- KRISTIN HARMEL, author of THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI fell head and heart into the pages of \u003ci\u003eThe Circus Train\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. \u003cb\u003eThis is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come\u003c\/b\u003e -- Lorelei Savaryn, author of THE CIRCUS OF STOLEN DREAMS\u003cbr\u003eFascinating. . . Parikh's extensive historical research adds authenticity to the lives of the circus performers as well as Lena's disability, and the characters' arcs highlight the ever-present dangers in WWII Europe and make palpable the strength of friendship. \u003cb\u003eFans of historical fiction will be drawn to this page-turner\u003c\/b\u003e * Publisher's Weekly *\u003cbr\u003eImmersive and intricately plotted, this novel \u003cb\u003ebrings to life the precarious, colorful world of circus performance in prewar Europe, where nothing is as it seems, danger lurks around every corner, and success is a matter of confidence, luck, and risk. \u003c\/b\u003eLena, Alexandre, and Theo are lovable characters, each backed by three-dimensional backstories that expand and intersect satisfyingly as the novel progresses. . . \u003cb\u003eParikh has created a carefully researched historical debut whose bighearted, sensitive protagonist makes the reader's emotional journey well worth it. Lively and richly detailed.\u003c\/b\u003e * Kirkus *\u003cbr\u003e[A] multilevel story of friendship, love, and survival spanning the World War II era. . . [Parikh's] research into circuses, concentration camps, and disability all provide a keen historical realism to her characters and events. \u003cb\u003eIndeed, it is Parikh's sensitive eye toward the reality of living with polio in the 1930s to 1950s that is the real heart of this romantic tale\u003c\/b\u003e. * Library Journal *\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little, Brown Book Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48864465977687,"sku":"9780349994123","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780349994123.jpg?v=1722272078","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-circus-train-9780349994123","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}