The Show Woman

Hardback Published on: 01/05/2025
Price: £16.99
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Bookseller Reviews

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The Show Woman
Adventure, thrills, romance and tragedy abound in this slick and dizzying historical tale...
“The route the fairs follow each summer is as old as the hills they traverse to get to them. It has been walked by thousands of show women before, will lik... READ MORE
Jesse at Eastbourne
The Show Woman
Like the trapeze artist, this book shall also fly (off the shelves!)
As someone who grew up going to every circus possible, I’m always in the lookout for a great book that captures the magic and beauty of the big top. This b... READ MORE
Hannah at Aviemore
The Show Woman
The Show Must Go On!!!
1910. With the disappearance of her loving mother and the shocking sudden death of her father, Lena has lost not only her closest companions, but also any... READ MORE
Dan - Clifton, Bristol.
The Show Woman
A beautifully crafted story of circus life
The Show Woman is an enjoyable read with a unique storyline that delves into the world of circuses and fairs. While the narrative was engaging, there were ... READ MORE
Yagmur - Oldham
The Show Woman
A dazzling debut!
As someone who grew up going to every circus possible, I’m always in the lookout for a great book that captures the magic and beauty of the big top. This b... READ MORE
Hannah at Aviemore

Synopsis

The show must go on...

1910. With the disappearance of her mother and the sudden death of her father, Lena instantly loses any security she has within the circus she has known all her life. She is advised to sell the carousel her father cared for like a child and look for a husband, or a job in a factory.

Until flame-haired Violet, known to all in the fairgrounds as 'the greatest trapeze artist that ever lived', suggests they go it alone with their own, all-female act. With her outspoken ways and her refusal to marry, Violet is as much an outcast as Lena. What do they have to lose? Recruiting new performers including bareback horse-rider Rosie, on the run from her abusive father, and Carmen whose rainbow ribbons hide the darkness in her past, the four women form an unbreakable bond.

Thrust into a harsh and dangerous world that treats them with suspicion, disdain and even violence, they must forge their own path in search of freedom, security, and love.

Deeply rooted in the Edwardian era, The Show Woman is brilliantly realised and expertly interlaces strong female characters, deeply-woven family secrets and heartfelt love stories.

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
  • ISBN: 9781399737395
  • Number of pages: 336
  • Dimensions: 236 x 164 x 36 mm
  • Weight: 530g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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The Show Woman
Spellbinding, heartbreaking, and uplifting
I want to run away and join the circus. Specifically Lena's ladies circus, touring the show grounds of Edwardian Scotland - because I loved the characters ... READ MORE
Lucy Waverley
The Show Woman
Stunning debut historical fiction delight
Glamour is everything. The thrill is more. But tragedy is all. We begin as the world's greatest trapeze artist plunges to the ground, from high above the c... READ MORE
Suse
The Show Woman
Unique historical fiction following an all female traveling circus.
Emma Cowing’s novel is a unique wonder that will keep you hooked from the get go! It is unputdownable, with twists and turns that will genuinely leave your... READ MORE
Emily J
The Show Woman
A historical novel with a difference!
This debut novel from Emma Cowing is an historical novel with a difference. The era is early 20th century Scotland and the subject an all female circus. TA... READ MORE
Psychoticpat
The Show Woman
Beautiful read of days gone by!
I have just finished this book and absolutely loved it. It was not what I expected and want to recommend it to everyone. This is not an Enid Blyton ver... READ MORE
Alexandra Cameron
The Show Woman
Great Storytelling
The Show Woman offers an enthralling glimpse into the world of circuses, fairs and travellers in the Edwardian era. I loved the strong female characters wh... READ MORE
Helen Foxall
The Show Woman
Go Girl!
Long before the women's movement there were strong women trying to make a living without relying on men. Many had been hurt or let fown by men who were clo... READ MORE
Mags
The Show Woman
Fabulous historical circus/fairground drama
What a fabulous book. I have close friends who are showmen so I was really looking forward to reading this and I wasn’t disappointed. The book opens in a ... READ MORE
Lynda’s Book Reviews
The Show Woman
Enchanting read
This is such a beautifully written story, following Lena, who has grown up among the travelling fairs with her father. Her mother disappeared when Lena was... READ MORE
Joanne McWilliam
The Show Woman
The ultimate tale of girl power
I adored this book! I especially loved seeing small Scottish villages featured (I'm looking at you, Galston!) It's the ultimate tale of girl power, endurin... READ MORE
Sarah Faichney
The Show Woman
Unexpected treat!
This was an unexpected treat. Four woman set up their own circus at the beginning of the 20th century when men dominated that world. They all have reasons ... READ MORE
AnneJar55
The Show Woman
Fabulous debut....
The Show Woman Emma Cowing UK release date 1st May 2025 This brilliant debut novel is set in Scotland in 1910 and is an absolute must for lovers of ... READ MORE
elizabeth dyer
The Show Woman
A Wonderful Read!
A historical fiction set in Edwardian Scotland, centred around the world of circuses and fairs. The story follows circus-born Lena, whose mother mysterious... READ MORE
Karen Deakin
The Show Woman
A fantastic debut
A fantastic debut which is evocative and beautifully written. I really enjoyed The Show Woman by Emma Cowing. Set in 1910 the female characters lives we... READ MORE
Bryony Neal
The Show Woman
All women circus troupe adventure
A delightful novel of early twentieth century travelling circuses, and the life of adventure and hardship that entails. Complicated family histories and un... READ MORE
Sandra Morgan
The Show Woman
The show must go on - richly detailed and engaging
Thanks to Holder & Staughton and NetGalley for ARC, Admittedly this isn't my usual reading choice but I'm so glad I took the chance - set in Edwardian S... READ MORE
Pauline McGough
The Show Woman
Little Women meets The Greatest Showman
This is genuinely one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read. The characters are really well developed and we have a compassionate but naive lead in Lena.... READ MORE
Denise Watson
The Show Woman
An absolute stunner. Loved it.
Book review: I want to run away and join the circus. Specifically this ladies circus, touring the show grounds of Edwardian Scotland - because I loved the ... READ MORE
Lucy Waverley
The Show Woman
A slow burn which just grows and grows
A slow burn which I hoped might become good, was I right? I really enjoyed this story, full of twists and turns which kept me avidly reading right to the e... READ MORE
Mark Broughton
The Show Woman
Uplifting story
A book about strong women, yes please. A book about a travelling show, yes please. A book set in Scotland, definitely. A book about friendship, of course. ... READ MORE
Sue Hill
The Show Woman
Great story with a fascinating setting!
Step into the life of a show woman during the early 1900s. Lena, the daughter of a fairground man, is brought up travelling the roads of Scotland with he... READ MORE
Katrina  Oliver
The Show Woman
A gorgeous, compelling debut with so much heart
This story, set in Edwardian Scotland, completely transported me to the circus. The writing is so beautiful and atmospheric. We meet four women, who hav... READ MORE
Leila/ Pacos_book_club_
The Show Woman
Captivating
Absolutely captivating; what an incredible debut. Skilfully plotted with a lilting written style, I listened to the audio version and completed in almost ... READ MORE
Anita Wallas
The Show Woman
Marvellous Historical Descriptions
This is the story of an all women circus set in Edwardian Scotland, when perhaps the only chance women had to succeed was to do something out of the ordina... READ MORE
Alyson Hilbourne
The Show Woman
I want to run away and join the circus.,,
I totally loved this book. I have always been drawn to the circus - even scouring job ads as an angsty teenager so I was always going to read this book. It... READ MORE
Helsbelstels
The Show Woman
Female Power!
The Show woman by Emma Cowing was a book I devoured in two days! This story is about a wonderful character called Lena, a traveller in the early 1900’s,... READ MORE
Nic. C/ Nickiknackinoo
The Show Woman
Historical fiction rooted in fact
I had no idea what to expect of this book when I started it but the story quickly drew me in. Knowing the author has used her own family history as the ins... READ MORE
Sally Sadler
The Show Woman
Bound to be a real hit in 2025
I do love a fiction book about the circus. For me, it is pure escapism to envelop oneself in life on the road, entertaining the crowds and the pure magic w... READ MORE
Mel Pretorius
The Show Woman
A tragic but hopeful tale
Inspired by her own grandmother and great aunt, Cowing tells the story of the Edwardian Glasgow show women, who travelled around a Scottish circuit of fair... READ MORE
Charlotte Britton-Stevens
The Show Woman
Fantastic read
In Edwardian England travelling fairs,shows and circuses were a popular form of entertainment. In Scotland the shows followed a path around Scotland, bring... READ MORE
Maggie Macdonald
The Show Woman
Enthralling Storytelling
The Show Woman offers an enthralling glimpse into the world of circuses, fairs and travellers in the Edwardian era. I loved the strong female characters wh... READ MORE
Helen Foxall
The Show Woman
A beautiful novel about sisterhood and family
The Show Woman by Emma Cowing is a beautifully written book about sisterhood and the strength of women. Set in Edwardian Scotland and following the life... READ MORE
Gaynor Moir
The Show Woman
Great read
This was a book that seemingly incorporated a bit of everything - edwardian and circus history, strong women, love, grief and everything in between. And I ... READ MORE
jean
The Show Woman
A story of empowerment and sisterhood
The Show Woman vividly depicts the harsh and dangerous world of the Edwardian travelling circus in Scotland, a time when women were often belittled and tre... READ MORE
Charlotte Betts
The Show Woman
The Ladies’ Circus
Set in Edwardian Scotland, we follow the fortunes of the ladies circus. Lena has a decision to make, her mother left years before and now her father is dea... READ MORE
K MacLean
The Show Woman
Let’s all run away and join the circus
I totally loved this book. I have always been drawn to the circus - even scouring job ads as an angsty teenager so I was always going to read this book. It... READ MORE
Helsbelstels
The Show Woman
Beautiful read
I went into The Show Woman with no expectations, and what a surprise it turned out to be. Set in Scotland, the story felt like it spoke directly to my root... READ MORE
Iona-Morag Fraser
The Show Woman
This is not an Enid Blyton version of a circus, but so so much more
I have just finished this book and absolutely loved it. It was not what I expected and want to recommend it to everyone. This is not an Enid Blyton ver... READ MORE
Alexandra Cameron
The Show Woman
A book about life, love and friendship
Set in Edwardian Scotland, the story is centred around the world of circuses, fairs and the traveller community. After the disappearance of her mother and... READ MORE
Jo Bowman
The Show Woman
A solid and interesting read 3.5
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Not quite a four but i enjoyed it more than books to which I have given a 3. ... READ MORE
am/am/am
The Show Woman
Fabulous
The Show Woman follows Lena's life the year following her fathers death, as a show woman in early 20th century Scotland. As a Scot the premise really intri... READ MORE
Kirsty MacBean
The Show Woman
Five stars!
The Show Woman by Emma Cowing is a beautifully written and deeply moving story of resilience, female friendship and the fight for independence. Set in Scot... READ MORE
The Secret Book Review
The Show Woman
Excellent first book
Excellent first book from Emma Cowing which was written with first hand knowledge of her families life on the fairgrounds of Scotland. A place that is a ve... READ MORE
Richard Angrave
The Show Woman
Glittering and gritty, love and loss, longing and belonging
This book was a gorgeous exploration of the often-overlooked world of women in the UK fairground scene. In a market saturated with American-set stories, Th... READ MORE
Aiesha
The Show Woman
Loved this book
Thank you NetGalley for this book! I really enjoyed this, loved the characters, the telling of the circus and had a little mystery in there. Would defi... READ MORE
Chantelle Watson
The Show Woman
unusual setting really works
Since her mother disappeared, Lena and her father have run the family carousel touring Scotland's fairs. However, when her father dies Lena is left alone.... READ MORE
Jo-anne Atkinson
The Show Woman
Circus life ❤️
|:: The Show woman By Emma Cowing Chapter 27 Page 173 And on the night before. 5
Bethan Thomas
The Show Woman
Historical fiction that fills in the gaps
Inspired by Cowing’s own family, this Edwardian historical novel brings to life four brave women attempting to take charge of their own destinies as they s... READ MORE
Huttson Lo
The Show Woman
Wow! Fab Debut Novel
Every so often you come across a book that stops you in your tracks, you’re hooked from the first few pages, and you know the book will stay with you. Thi... READ MORE
AHR