Victoria (YSB) - reviewed on 4/7/2010 + 636 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Well, this was a pretty good book! The subject, the life of tiger-trainer Mabel Stark, was absolutely fascinating. I must admit that there was a rather outrageous quality, but I suppose that no circus life would be complete if the story was wholesome or toned down... Despite some questionable actions, Mabel was very likable and really, my main complaint was that the titillating secret the author teased the reader with from the beginning was not nearly as shocking as it could have been, considering some of the other things that went on! For a fictional biography, this was really wonderfully done with a carefully crafted picture of Mabel's whole life. Though the pacing was a bit uneven, and it would have been interesting to see more at the very end, the unique premise and strong writing more than made this an absorbing read.

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