Deborah S. (aslo-white) reviewed on 11/20/2013 + 5 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Writing for the New York Times Book Review, Stacey D'Erasmo perfectly captured my personal reaction to this book: one is "continually being told how magical the circus and its denizens are without ever being truly surprised, enchanted, or beguiled." It's a lovely little novel, well written and passably entertaining, but I found all the hyperbole surrounding it to be overblown. Nothing described in the book seemed terribly unusual or unexpected. Because the time-shifting device wasn't at all necessary to the tale, it served only as a confusing contrivance. The bits and pieces of stories that are doled out throughout the book set up the reader to expect an integrated finale in which all is revealed and tied together, but instead, much is left unresolved and unexplained. Apart from her repeated comma splices, which I found irritating, the author is a talented writer. However, the overall effect of this novel as a whole is shallow and unsatisfying.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details