Circus of Wonders: Elizabeth Macneal

In 1866 Nell lives a small, secluded life isolated in her small English village because she is different. Nell was born with birthmarks all over her body, making her a 'freak' to others. The Jasper Jupiter Circus arrives in town and her life suddenly changes. Nell is kidnapped and sold by her father into indentured servitude to perform in the circus to pay his debts.Jasper showcases Nell as the Leopard Girl and her act incorporates flying on the high wires. Her reputation sores as high as her body and local papers call her the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Though Nell feels betrayed by her father, being successful and finding her circus family shows Nell that she can have a new life where she truly belongs. As her stardom grows, it starts to outshine Jasper's popularity and fame leading to dangerous jealousy on his part that could make him act against her to retain the limelight.Meanwhile, Nell falls in love with Toby, Jasper's quiet unassuming brother but they have to keep their feelings from Jasper as he would not approve. As their love develops, can Toby separate himself from the ties that bind him to Jasper? Will Toby uncover what Jasper thinks of him and will their relationship ever be the same again? What will Jasper do out of desperation when he realises that his main act wants to leave his circus and will his actions turn fatal to those around him as he strives to retain his money and fame?🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was an interesting look at ownership of others and how loyalty to those you feel indebted to can crush your sense of self. Nell's story was heart-breaking in parts as she felt discarded and lonely while her only wish was to belong somewhere and be loved though she was thwarted by the selfish whims of the men who control her. The pacing felt slow in the beginning but overall it was an intriguing and thought-provoking look at the exploitation of people classed as strange and unusual by a society that was fascinated by the 'odd and grotesque' when in fact it was the audience who was the ugly aspect in the situation.

The Victorian’s penchant for physical ‘curiosities’ in the form of ‘freak shows’ underlies this richly atmospheric and utterly beguiling second novel of Elizabeth Macneal which takes a deep dive into the world of the travelling circus. An immersive delight from start to finish with three well-drawn central characters, each of whose perspective the reader gets to hear, Circus of Wonders also covers some surprisingly relevant themes. As the narrative baton is handed between all three key players, giving unprecedented insight into their hopes, dreams and regrets, the reader is drawn into the delicate balance of power that connects their fates, making for a narrative of quite extraordinary tension.Opening in a southern coastal town in 1866, Nell eeks out a living making candied violets alongside her brother. Marked out by the constellations of birthmarks that speckle her skin, she is either shunned by the locals or seen as a bad omen and does her best to remain invisible. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders comes to town with its megalomaniacal showman determined to acquire a pitch and storm London, Nell’s father sells her for £20 and her life changes in the blink of an eye. Initially furious at being torn away from the only life she knows, Nell is swiftly embraced by the other acts including maternal Stella the bearded lady and befriended by Jasper’s shy and sensitive brother, Toby. Earning more money in a week than a year in her old life, Nell soon discovers that she has found a home in the troupe where her difference is something to be revered rather than derided and a source of opportunities. With avaricious Jasper on a quest to get an audience with Queen Victoria he demands that all his curiosities have a skill and conjures up elaborate backstories for them. Jasper’s brainchild sees Nell become the Queen of Moon and Stars soaring on the high trapeze and she so dazzles her audiences that she is soon dubbed the eighth wonder of the world.But with Nell’s renown spreading and the undisputed draw of Jasper’s circus he demands more from her as she threatens to eclipse him and brushes aside her obvious disinterest in an attempt to own her completely. But just as Nell knows she can no longer go back to being invisible and her old life, there is a limit to how much of her life she is willing to give. Infuriated by Nell’s growing agency and suspicious of her obvious affection for Toby, power-crazed Jasper is set on a collision course with destruction as he sets out on a bid to cement his reputation. Both brothers are scarred from their experiences during the Crimean War and alongside the historical background of their complex dynamic their time amid the battlefields is woven throughout the narrative. With Jasper seduced by fighting alongside his wealthy pal, Dash, and guilt-ridden Toby embroiled in providing photographs that attest to a falsely positive vision of life on the frontline, the death of Dash lies between them. Having lived firmly in his older brother’s shadow and been edged out of their shared dream of owning a circus, first by Dash and then simply by Jasper’s own insatiable appetite for control, Toby’s unswerving loyalty faces its ultimate test with the arrival of Nell. Whilst I loved Macneal’s exploration of themes including identity, power, fame, it was primarily the complex and well-drawn trio of characters and the sensuous prose that made this novel such a magnificent read.

I was ultimately let down by the ending, but that's just personal preference. Otherwise, a two sit read from me. The author has a wonderful way of telling stories.

Don’t know if it’s me or the book but I just couldn’t get into it. I’ve put it to one side and will try again.