The characters are well written and described, you can almost envision them all in this era. Sara Gruen pulls you into the story within the first few pages and keeps your attention with each paragraph. Once you get sucked in you don't.....or can't put this book down. You begin to see how Jacob became the way he was in his golden years as he reflects back to his days working with the circus. You feel sorry for him and you also cheer him on as the story progresses. You are on an emotional roller coaster ride with this piece. There is even a little bit of romance, but don't worry it's not cheesy or smut like instead it is sweet and charming. Sara ends the book on the most perfect level, something that is not an easy task. I hope to read more works of hers in the future should all of her writing be this well written.

I am tempted to watch the movie, I can only hope the film isn't just thrown together because of the hype of the book. But as with most books that become movies, there is only a handful that have done an outstanding job at reflecting the book.