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The Life She Was Given
The Life She Was Given
Author: Ellen Marie Wiseman
On a summer evening in 1931, Lilly Blackwood glimpses circus lights from the grimy window of her attic bedroom. — Lilly isn’t allowed to explore the meadows around Blackwood Manor. She’s never even ventured beyond her narrow room. Momma insists it’s for Lilly’s own protection, that people would be afraid if they saw her. — ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781496719133
ISBN-10: 1496719131
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 341
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 5

4.1 stars, based on 5 ratings
Publisher: Kensington Books
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 19
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

pj-s-bookcorner avatar reviewed The Life She Was Given on + 885 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Along the lines of "Water for Elephants" a look at long hidden family secrets and the dark side of carnival life in the 1930's. Lilly was locked in her family's attic all her life because she wasn't "normal or perfect". Unbeknownst to her father, she is sold to the traveling circus by her mother. The abuse and humiliation and friendship she finds among the carnies is hard to read at times. The focus on animal cruelty, while I'm sure is true, is also difficult. Overall, a good read.
starvinArtist avatar reviewed The Life She Was Given on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN is the first book by ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN that I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of Lilly and Julia, how they were raised and how it affected their lives. I give it 4.5 stars because I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and somewhat vague. But I just found another author to add to my favorites list.
elizardbreath avatar reviewed The Life She Was Given on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely hated this book with every ounce in me.

This is literally the most depressing book I've ever read---there is absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. No positive spins, no lighthearted anything, just depression on top of oppression. It's a disgusting story about child abuse and evil-possessed people and I won't even dignify it with details...except for this one that has turned me off this author forever:

At the back of the book, there's an "interview with the author". The second question says, "what looks like a story about child abuse ends up being about animal cruelty too." The author goes on to address the issue of animal abuse. No where in this interview does she ever address child abuse. The discussion questions that come after are flippant about the issue. This book is disgusting and no one wants to talk deeply about it. It's sick that someone could read this and get their kicks.

NEVER will I read or recommend this author. I'm crawling back into my hole---this world disgusts me.
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reviewed The Life She Was Given on
I loved this book. It was well written and a fascinating account of these lives. It was also haunting and I have been thinking about it ever since I finished it, to the point of it affecting my sleep!
reviewed The Life She Was Given on + 271 more book reviews
Perhaps this book was the wrong genre for me. I found both main characters highly annoying. They had terrible parents, with a mother who was cold and domineering, and a distant, weak father. There was little redemption in their live. It took 165 pages before it began to become interesting. Then it was okay, right up to its tragic end. I don't think I'll read any more by this author. D.
Bonnie avatar reviewed The Life She Was Given on + 422 more book reviews
A book that kept me up late devouring the story. Could be because it was a circus plot, and I love those books. Bit of a mystery, easily seen, but that didn't matter. A well-written, interesting tale with mostly likeable characters. (Obviously, except for the villains.)


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