As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie.
It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
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Wow! I started this book one early afternoon, not quite ready to tackle the beginnings of a long day of chores . . . and I never got to the chores. I literally could not put it down. I read the entire book in one sitting, only getting up for sustenance, and to change an occasional diaper. Love and loss mingle poetically creating a struggle for life. Amazing - I would recommend this book to anyone, as it would meet anyone's fancy. The reseach that was done on the carnies and animals lent itself to a grand tale.
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