Circus of Wonders
Fiction & Poetry, Modern & Contemporary Fiction
Hardback Published on: 13/05/2021
£14.99
Bookseller Reviews
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A perfect historical novel.
“ Circus of Wonders” is the second novel from the author of bestselling novel “ The Doll Factory”.
It is 1866, Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives ... READ MORE
Glorious and soaring
I had been really looking forward to reading this, as I loved ‘The Doll Factory’ and it absolutely ticked all the boxes. It’s a glorious soaring read set i... READ MORE
Fantastic
Circus of Wonders is a fantastic novel, with easy flowing prose that allows the reader to fall into and be fully immersed in the story. Macneal brings the ... READ MORE
A Powerful Wonder!
Gripping, and heart-wrenching.
A historical fiction novel that has been very well researched. Circus of Wonders was a really interesting, and powerful r... READ MORE
Fantastic in Every Way!
I read Elizabeth Macneal's debut “The Doll Factory” when it was first released and thought it ws fantastic, unique and original and appealing even to those... READ MORE
Synopsis
1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell picks violets for a living. Set apart by her community because of the birthmarks that speckle her skin, Nell's world is her beloved brother and devotion to the sea.
But when Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped. Her father has sold her, promising Jasper Jupiter his very own leopard girl. It is the greatest betrayal of Nell's life, but as her fame grows, and she finds friendship with the other performers and Jasper's gentle brother Toby, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.
In London, newspapers describe Nell as the eighth wonder of the world. Figurines are cast in her image, and crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. But who gets to tell Nell's story? What happens when her fame threatens to eclipse that of the showman who bought her? And as she falls in love with Toby, can he detach himself from his past and the terrible secret that binds him to his brother?
Moving from the pleasure gardens of Victorian London to the battle-scarred plains of the Crimea, Circus of Wonders is an astonishing story about power and ownership, fame and the threat of invisibility.
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- ISBN: 9781529002539
- Number of pages: 384
- Weight: 492g
- Dimensions: 224 x 144 x 40 mm
Customer Reviews
View allIncredible
An easy 5 stars for me. A beautifully written story about hope, desire,loyalty and love. It has a brilliant cast of characters who all have their own sec... READ MORE
Wondrous world of performance and spectacle that is also dark and unexpected
Elizabeth Macneal's debut The Doll Factory was my favourite book of 2019, so I was really excited to read her second novel. I was especially curious to see... READ MORE
An vividly drawn tale as beautiful as it is allegorical.
Circus of Wonders follows Nell, a violet picker, who is sold to Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders by her father. Although, Nell fights with all her might ... READ MORE
Brilliant read
I knew I’d love this book before I’d even opened it so when I started reading it I was truly smitten. There is just something about the circus that fascin... READ MORE
Wonderful
What a fantastic book. We’re taken on a ride from war-torn Crimea to Victorian England at her best following the exploits of two brothers who set up the Ba... READ MORE
Engaging and Evocative
'Circus of Wonders’ is a gritty yet engaging slice of historical fiction, following the life of Nell as she is thrust from quiet village life into the bloo... READ MORE
A gothic circus tale
Nell lives in a small coastal village where her speckled birthmarks set her apart from the rest of the community, but when Jasper Jupiter's circus visits i... READ MORE
An Evocative Read
Nell has always felt like an outcast, but in her small village, at least people are accustomed to the birthmarks that cover her face and body. But when her... READ MORE
A truly stunning and profound read
Set in a time when Britain was obsessed with ‘freaks’ - anyone shunned due to being different than societal standards - Circus of Wonders illuminates this ... READ MORE
Beautifully written and vividly descriptive, I loved it!
Set in 1860s England and the battle camps of the Crimea ,the story begins with Nell-a girl from a small coastal village born with visible birthmarks for wh... READ MORE
Fast moving and deeply satisfying.
In the spirit of full disclosure I have to say, while I enjoyed Elizabeth Macneal's "The Doll Factory", it won't enter my "best top ten reads" list. So I ... READ MORE
Utterly beguiling and immersive
What an absolute privilege it has been to read this book and join Nell as her life is transformed following the arrival of the travelling fair in her small... READ MORE
Well outside my comfort zone, but.....
This novel is way outside my comfort zone and author, Elizabeth Macneal is unknown to me. Circus of Wonders is set in 1866, an uncomfortable read at times... READ MORE
Historical romance with circuses
I felt like I’d read this book before or seen it as a film. It was a bit Water for Elephants, it was a bit The Greatest Showman without the songs. All the... READ MORE
Evocative. Engaging. Empowering.
Circus of Wonders is a beautifully executed account of what it means not to fully fit in, what it means to be seen as different and what it is like to fina... READ MORE
Highly recommended
I read Elizabeth Macneal’s last book , The Doll Factory,so I was very happy to receive an ARC of her new novel in return for an honest review which reflect... READ MORE
Spellbinding storytelling
The Circus of Wonders is a rich and evocative story of Nell, sold to Jasper Jupiter by her father for just twenty pounds. Nell’s top-to-toe constellation ... READ MORE
Haunting
I received a copy of this book thanks to #netgalley.
I adored Macneal's first novel and 'Circus of wonders' does not disappoint! It's another wonderfully ... READ MORE
Original and addictive
Circus of Wonders is set in 1866 following Nell, a young woman isolated from her small town as she is covered in birthmarks. Nell finds herself taken by Ja... READ MORE
Spellbinding
Elizabeth Macneal's 'The Doll Factory' has been on my wish list for a while and after reading this novel, I'm going to get a copy as soon as I can. This wa... READ MORE
Not so Wonderful
I have to be honest -I kept comparing this to The Night Circus and I'm afraid it was left wanting .
The story itself was good and had so much promise . H... READ MORE
Enjoyable
I absolutely loved Elizabeth Macneal's 'The Doll's House' so was incredibly excited to read 'Circus of Wonders'. The cover design is delightfully eye-catch... READ MORE
Welcome to Jasper's Jupiter's Circus Of Wonders
..Jasper Jupiter`s Circus of Wonders takes place, during the middle 1800's. Queen Victoria, being one of the most ardent supports of the travelling circu... READ MORE
Started and ended well... the middle not so good
What I thought was going to be reading was full of wonder and turned out to be rather lacklustre. The storyline could have gone on so many directions that ... READ MORE
Magical
I have been waiting for a book as good as The Night Circus, and this did not disappoint. I loved reading each character’s perspective, and the depth of eac... READ MORE
Atmospheric and vividly told
I was sent a copy of Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal to read and review by NetGalley. A riotous story of wonder and awe, of difference and acceptan... READ MORE
Circus of Wonders is coming to town, will everyone enjoy it?
Nellie is different to those around her and she is sold to a travelling Circus of Wonders led by Jasper.
At first there is fear and then wonder and excite... READ MORE
Emotional story
1866 in a small coastal town lives Nells who sells violets for a living with her family. She loves her life with her brother but, is shunned by the rest of... READ MORE
Strong characters in wonderful historical fiction
Circus of Wonders is historical fiction at its best. The main characters are fictitious but they live in a very definite time and place, Queen Victoria's... READ MORE
Roll up, Roll up! Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders is in town!
This is by no means a glamorous account of a Victorian travelling circus, but the gritty reality of what life was like when you didn’t fit in and the cruel... READ MORE
A gripping tale of 19th century showmanship takes you on a tightrope of emotions
This magical story takes us back to the nineteenth century and the world of the circus, where we're introduced to the ordinary lives of extraordinary peopl... READ MORE
A marvellous read
Elizabeth Macneal's second novel returns to the Victorian era that she evoked so beautifully in The Doll Factory. Circus of Wonders delves deep into the cl... READ MORE
This is a story about the dispossessed, the outcast, the abused living on the margins of society who, as ever, are given little respect.
The bar was raised high when Elizabeth Macneal’s captivating debut ‘The Doll Factory’ was published in 2019 and there’s no chance of it slipping with her s... READ MORE
Don't miss this one !
Read this one you won’t be disappointed !!
What a wonderful book with a cast of some of the best characters I have ever read in a story.
Jasper Jupiter’s c... READ MORE
A mesmerising tale
It’s May 1866 and Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders, full of living curiosities, comes to the coastal resort where Nell lives. Nell grows miniature flower... READ MORE
I loved it
Read in a day I couldn’t put it down.
Nell has always been an outsider. Born with birth marks covering her face and body, she has always hidden herself a... READ MORE
Wonderful historical fiction
Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal brings to life the Victorian Circus and one man’s obsession with becoming a renowned showman at all costs. Jasper Ju... READ MORE
Fantastic read
What a fantastic read!
Truly loved this book and cannot recommend it enough!
1866, England, Jasper "Jupiter" dreams to take his Circus of Wonders to Lond... READ MORE
Historical fiction that is both magical and captivating
This is the first book that I have read by Elizabeth Macneal.
It’s May 1866 and Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders, full of living curiosities, comes to t... READ MORE
Elizabeth Macneal writes beautifully and movingly
'Freak Shows' (a term I find uncomfortable to write in 2021) were a Victorian obsession. Initially they were regarded as something 'low brow,' but Queen Vi... READ MORE
Beautiful
I loved The Doll Factory so I was over the moon to be approved for this book.
Once again, Elizabeth takes us effortlessly into the lives of Nell, Toby, Ja... READ MORE
Totally engrossing!
Totally engrossing! I was completely immersed in the world of Victorian England and Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders. Jasper fancies himself as the Engli... READ MORE
Highly recommended
I loved the Doll Factory and I loved this novel.
The author is a talented storyteller and delivered a fascinating story, thought provoking and entertaining... READ MORE
This book is a must read!!
This book was absolutely amazing and so incredibly researched, Elizabeth Macneal has done it again. First the Doll Factory and now The Circus of Wonders, I... READ MORE
Fantastic escapism!
This is an engrossing tale of love and emotional ties. It is totally unique, I think and looks at an aspect of Victorian history which isn't really talked ... READ MORE
Beautifully written, compulsive read
Having read and enjoyed The Doll Factory I was delighted to receive an advance copy of Circus of Wonders. Set just a few years after Elizabeth Macneal's de... READ MORE
Unmissable!
It’s May 1866 and Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders is in Nell's home village, a coastal area in southern England. Nell picks violets to earn a living and... READ MORE
ARC
Circus of Wonders is an astonishing story about power and ownership, fame, and the threat of invisibility.
We get to know the characters in-depth and well... READ MORE
Well worth a read
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
Nell lives with her brother Charlie and father in a small community, where they maintain ... READ MORE
Empowering but unbelievably sad
Jasper Jupiter is the owner of a Victorian circus and great show, determined to make his mark he is inspired when he sees Nell. Nell has a skin condition ... READ MORE
Fantastic!
This books has bested The Doll Factory (not an easy task). The vivid sense of setting and time, the memorable characters, the dissection of siblinghood, th... READ MORE
Amazing read
First book Ive brought in YEARS, I saw the cover and thought, oh that seems cool.
After some thought I brought it and its SO good and has made me want to ... READ MORE
Hauntingly dark, unexpectedly hopeful, and utterly raw.
Hauntingly dark, unexpectedly hopeful, and utterly raw.
This novel is artfully dripping with metaphors, symbolism, foreshadowing, historical criticism, s... READ MORE
An evocative, compelling read!
After reading The Doll Factory, I was on the look out for Elizabeth Macneal’s next book. Circus of Wonders has NOT disappointed me.
Elizabeth Macneal has... READ MORE
A classic story set in larger than life Victorian England
The story of a girl with a disfigurement who doesn’t fit, who finds herself, her family and her place in the world in a freak show. The story of two brothe... READ MORE
A touching story
Having recently read "The Doll Factory" by Elizabeth Macneal, I was keen to read "Circus of Wonders". It has parallels with PT Barnum's story, which at th... READ MORE
Five stars
I was so excited about "Circus of Wonders" but also slightly apprehensive, because I really loved Elizabeth Macneal's first novel, so had high hopes from t... READ MORE