Lena's life began before we understood very much about polio and as a result she was confined to a wheelchair. Her father was a prominent illusionist with a circus train and her father insisted she become educated so her books became the focus of her life since other children had no time for a person in a wheelchair.. That changed when she helped to rescue Alexander because they became soulmates. Then came the war and she lost Alexander and her father to a round up of Jews. The story gives an important description about what happened at Theresienstadt and also about the attitude of men toward women when they tried to break into academia; I would recommend this book even though I always felt like an outsider looking in and never became emotionaly bonded to Lena.

Ramona Thompson

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Penguin Group in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks go to them and the author.

Genre: General Fiction, Historical Fiction, perhaps romance
Trigger warnings: I didn't feel like this one needs warnings because the worst tragedies of WWII are not front and center on the page.

I enjoyed this book immensely!

The characters are interesting and fully-fleshed out. No one is squeaky clean except for Lena who has led a sheltered life from living in a wheelchair and being isolated. Lena was born premature and contracted polio as an infant—her situation was handled with great care and sensitivity by the author for historical context and to honor modern readers' feelings about disability. Alexandre is Lena's love interest when she's a child, so this historical novel could also be seen as a romance. Alexandre is a great foil for Lena because of his upbringing on the streets with an abusive father. My heart was drawn to both of these characters.

Each choice made by the characters lead to another twist that can't be foreseen. But the twists are foreshadowed. The one issue I had with the book the short chapter when the character is only addressed as "he" to keep us tenterhooks. I felt like that was a bit too "tricky" as a story device. Each chapter drew me to the next one, wanting to know more. I wanted things to turn out for Lena. Her strength was admirable and is a good role model for everyone to reach for their dreams even in the face of rejection.

After reading this book, I wanted to know more about circuses during WWII. I was so grateful there was back matter about this. That's a sign of a good historical fiction novel—that you want to know more. The LGBTQ community is represented through background characters, but it's not a major thread through the story.

Get ready because, I think this book will win awards for 2022.

Anyone with an interest in WWII, social issues, representation of marginalized communities, and romance will enjoy this book.

I highly recommend it!

A great story of love and compassion triumphing over hate and discrimination. I found it interesting that both the hero and heroine in this book were outcasts from the circus and society and able to understand each other so well, and in the end, live their dreams.

This was highly anticipated for me this winter! The author has a beautiful way with words and perfectly wove a story that felt as though it was being played out in front of me. It was clearly well researched as well. The Circus Train brought all the emotions out… heartbreak, hope, longing, sadness, excitement, etc. A great debut!

{3.5 stars}

Lena is a young girl who survived polio as a baby. Because of this, her life is limited. She travels with her father as he performs with a traveling circus. She has safety, security and love but longs for more. She wants to be a normal kid. As WWII begins to break out in Europe, the train’s movements are limited and her father seizes an opportunity when a Jewish orphan is thrust in their path. Lena is transformed until the war breaks them apart. She must go on with her life without her father and her best friend. She is left to decide how to forge a path forward.

I liked this story. There is nothing more energizing than a plucky young heroine. In this case her “limitations” formed the springboard for the direction which her life took. I know WWII fiction has been done to death but it’s role here is not the star of the story. We get huge swaths of life before and after. I felt the ending was a bit predictable but I enjoyed the journey.

Check this one out if you liked The Whalebone Theatre.

Thanks to GP Putnam and Sons for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

This may very well be an absolutely beautiful book but I found it so sad that I was unable to finish it. Thank you for the opportunity and your consideration.

The Circus Train is about "The Beddington and Sterling World of Wonders" which travels through Europe in the years preceding and following WWII. Directed by Horace Beddington, the circus is known far and wide for its splendor and unique and fascinating acts. The three main characters in the story are Theodore Papadapolous, an illusionist; his daughter, Lena, who had polio as an infant and is wheelchair bound; and Alexandre, an orphan 2 years older than Lena, who is found hiding on the train and is taken in by Theo. Theo then trains him to be an illusionist.

The story spans fourteen years, and readers are privy to all the changes in each of the characters as well as the world situation during that time. This debut book is a good read on many levels. The characters are complex and fully human and life as a young disabled person is thoughtfully portrayed. There's a sense of family, of love, and adventure throughout the story.

Two of the things I liked best about the book is that it explores how often and how much we can be held back by how others view us, taking their limited view of our abilities and of the possibilities for our life as true. Second, the powerful, rippling impact one person can have on our life, a person who believes in us, who sees us not as we currently are, but as we may become.

Phrases from the book that stuck with me are:

"Lena's disability had taught her a harsh truth: she was different, and people didn't like different."

"If I only did or watched what was expected of me, I wouldn't have survived."

"Your greatest achievements often grow out of the worst circumstances."

"No matter what anyone tells you. You can always be who you were meant to be."

"After thirty years of practicing medicine, the only thing I know for certain is that in the absence if evidence, we have to have blind faith."

I look forward to reading more from this author!

My thanks to GP Putnam's Sons for letting me read an ARC of this novel via NetGalley. The book is set for publication on 12/6/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given..

The Circus Train was such an unexpected delight! I fell in love with all of the characters instantaneously and was eager to learn more about their stories. There were numerous historical components embedded in the story but I found some of the most prolific elements involved the secrets the characters withheld from each other and the strong relationships that were developed. The characters were brought to life with the impeccable writing and I was easily able to visualize the various settings, good and bad. It was a slow burn that lead up to quite an exciting finale that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, I thought this was a great debut novel! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

How can The Circus Train be a debut by this talented author? Akita Parikh wrote a powerful World War II novel like no other with the assuredness of a seasoned professional. Lena, the main character in the book, contracts polio as an infant. We experience all her emotions as she is shielded by her father through her disability. Other characters are fully written as we explore their pasts. The book spans a few decades and highlights their growth especially Lena. Her struggles and achievements are amazing as she learns to count on herself to reach her dreams. The author also chronicles the dangers they faced as the train moved along through Europe while also shielding some of their performers. Highly recommend! #TheCircusTrain #AmitaParikh #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC.

This debut historical fiction novel was a very enjoyable read with great character development. I am looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.

The story follows the life of Lena Papadopoulos. She had polio as an infant, and her mother died shortly after she was born. She lives with her protective father, who is the head illusionist for a traveling circus. The book is primarily set on the train. as they travel through Europe during the WWII era.

The author's writing style kept my attention throughout the book. My only small complaint was that it seemed to wrap up a bit quickly at the end. I would love to see a sequel covering the next part of Lena's life.

After reading the synopsis of the book I looked forward to reading it - and was not disappointed. This historical fiction book has everything in it as a traveling circus struggles to survive during WWII while still keeping the most entertaining acts available for the entertainment of everyone. The owner of the circus was a man whose vision was to entertain, to make money, and to be "the boss"! He was at times likeable but most of the times his devious side whowed through. Lena Papadopoulos was a young girl whose father was the illusionist at the circus, and who was loved by everyone in the circus. Lena, born with physical obstacles, was a behind-the-scenes part of the circus as her father and the owner,Horace, made sure she had everything she needed to become educated and cared for. As Lena ages and matures she finds herself wanting more than the walls of the train to surround her, and her journey towards independence takes the reader through medical advances, treachery, secrets, love and finally happiness. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheCircusTrain #NetGalley

While The Circus Train did interest me and I was looking forward to it I found myself let down by the slow pacing and the use of a disabilities being "cured" - yeah, I understand times were different, it just didn't sit well with me - and I found that took me heavily out of the story. I pushed through, because I do NOT believe in DNFing a book but this just wasn't it for me.

I enjoyed this, page turning, historical fiction novel. Set over a span of 20 years, starting before WWII and journeying through it. It focuses on three main characters - father, daughter and orphaned boy - aboard a Circus Train that travels throughout Europe - until WWII and the deceit of the train owner. I loved the characters, the story and the writing. I especially liked the authors notes at the end. I learned a lot just from that!

It's 1938 in Europe as the threat of war looms, Lena is a young girl who is with her father Theo, a renowned illusionist. He is part of the Circus of Wonders but she never really fits in. She is not a performer and is confined to a wheelchair as she's unable to walk due to polio.
Amita Parikh's debut novel tells of Lena's coming of age against this dynamic background. Lena is a strong character who believes she is able to do anything and she will amaze you at what she achieves. Historical fiction fans as well as circus fans will enjoy this riveting story of love, family, secrets and determination. The author puts you in 1938 and how society deals with people who have a disability and the stigma of polio.

I was fully invested in The Circus Train by Amita Parikh within the first few pages!

Our leading lady Lena has grown up on the circus train since she was born, but has never quite fit in. Her disability has kept her from being fully integrated into the circus "family" and she devotes herself to her studies. When an orphan child named Alexandre escapes to the circus to avoid being detained during WWII, her world begins to open up.

I loved the friendship between Alexandre and Lena. The bond they formed as children led easily into a more romantic bond as they got older. I enjoyed how they understood and cared for each other as "outcasts."

As a way to build suspense in the plot, almost every character has a secret they are sharing from others. I thought this was very effective and the pages turned quickly until about halfway through the book. After the halfway point I felt that the book shifted from being more plot based to character based and because of that the pace slowed. Because I was already invested in the book I kept going to see how it ended. Ultimately, I was satisfied with the ending.

I think it may have been more effective to learn about the secret Theo, Lena's father, was holding a little earlier in the book. The book was overall enjoyable but I could have lived in the suspense of the circus train without the ride ever coming to an end.

What an absolutely spectacular book! Amita Parikh has crafted a magical story that immediately drew me in. I loved the diversity of the characters and couldn't read fast enough to follow their stories. The descriptions of the circus acts, the costumes and the people were delightful. What a lovely coming of age tale. I highly recommend this book! Thanks #NetGalley #HarperCollins #AmitaParikh

Pub Day: 12-6-2022

This is a terrifically unique historical fiction with some magical realism and fantasy thrown in. Just how I like it!

Besides having the entertaining aspect of being behind the scenes of a circus, this books also takes the reader through the whole of Europe to experience the magic of cities along with the characters.

The story had some more serious elements too. In particular, the story offered perspectives on the impacts from WWII and also explored the awful effects of polio. On this last part, I came away with a deeper appreciation for the polio vaccine and a better understanding of what a life looked like after getting polio.

I also learned a lot about other things. For example, I had never heard of an Astrolabe before reading this book (if you hadn’t heard of it either, I’ll be putting info on it in my stories). I went down a research rabbit hole after learning about it!

This book is filled with likable and relatable characters and a variety of experiences to keep the pace steady. It did feel stretched out at times, but overall I was very invested in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have
decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Not interested once I realized where the story was going, re: disability. I understand times were different in the past, but it’s still gross today to write books about disabled people being “cured,”

The World of Wonders circus travels through Europe and has the best of everything. It is particularly well known for its illusionist, Theo Papadopolous. Traveling with Theo is his daughter Lena. Unlike the circus, Lena does not have everything. She was sick with polio as a baby and is in a wheelchair. To make up for her physical shortcomings, Lena is curious about everything, particularly science and spends time with the circus doctor learning. At one of their stops, Theo and Lena come across a boy that they rescue named Alexandre. The Nazis are already beginning to take power and Theo has one parent who is Jewish. He escapes from the Nazis but is in bad shape. The circus owner does not want to take Alexandre in, but Theo insists and says he will teach Alexandre to do illusions. During the time Alexandre is with the circus, he becomes Lena's best friend. He encourages the doctor to look for a way to heal Lena's legs. Eventually she is able to walk. (not well at first). The Nazis begin inspecting anyone who crosses the border, but Alexandre is able to pass for Aryan, until someone gives him away.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction story. I have seen it recommended to those who enjoyed "Water for Elephants" or "The Night Circus" and I would agree. Towards the end each chapter becomes more a a cliffhanger (which I did not notice in the beginning). The surprises are worth it.