Overview

International Bestseller and #1 LibraryReads Pick Water for Elephants meets The Night Circus in this World War II debut about a magnificent travelling circus, a star-crossed romance, and one girl’s coming-of-age during the darkest of times. “A powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves.” —Pam Jenoff, author of The Orphan’s Tale When all is lost, how do you find the courage to keep moving forward? 1938. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena—who uses a wheelchair after a childhood bout with polio—yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, her mind stronger than the limitations placed on her by society. Then her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past. As World War II escalates around them, their friendship blossoms into something deeper while Alexandre trains as the illusionist’s apprentice. But when Theo and Alexandre are arrested and made to perform in a town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena is separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible—herself.

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9780593539989

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Reviews

One of Library Journal's Top 20 Fall Debut Novels One of Reader's Digest's 49 Best Fiction Books of 2022 (So Far) Amita Parikh has written a passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves. -Pam Jenoff, author of The Woman With the Blue Star Magic, love, destiny, and illusion combine with the glitter of 20th century circus life and the heartbreak of war in The Circus Train, Amita Parikh's masterful first novel....A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss, The Circus Train is an extraordinary debut. -Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars Immersive and intricately plotted...Lena, Alexandre, and Theo are lovable characters, each backed by three-dimensional backstories that expand and intersect satisfyingly as the novel progresses...Parikh has created a carefully researched historical debut whose bighearted, sensitive protagonist makes the reader's emotional journey well worth it. Lively and richly detailed. -Kirkus Reviews [A] multilevel story of friendship, love, and survival spanning the World War II era...[Parikh's] research into circuses, concentration camps, and disability all provide a keen historical realism to her characters and events. Indeed, it is Parikh's sensitive eye toward the reality of living with polio in the 1930s to 1950s that is the real heart of this romantic tale. -Library Journal Fascinating...Parikh's extensive historical research adds authenticity to the lives of the circus performers as well as Lena's disability, and the characters' arcs highlight the ever-present dangers in WWII Europe and make palpable the strength of friendship. Fans of historical fiction will be drawn to this page-turner. -Publishers Weekly Thoughtfully explores two young people's connection and quests for belonging...Incorporating research into medical treatments for polio and the Theresienstadt camp's role in Nazi propaganda, Parikh creates storytelling magic in her absorbing tale of a young woman discovering her own capabilities. -Booklist This novel is full of secrets, heartbreaking choices, and human longing. The passionate human relationships will stay with you for a long time. The writing is rich and layered where the characters' emotional landscape mirrors the illusions and glittery facade of the circus world they create. Highly recommended. -Historical Novels Review A dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. -Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife Sit back and enjoy as this magical story transports you through war-torn Europe, demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways. -Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Secret Daughter Deeply entertaining and enchanting....A page-turner that holds onto its secrets until its satisfying conclusion. This richly drawn and captivating novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. -Constance Sayers, author of The Ladies of the Secret Circus A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine. -Carol Windley, Midnight Train to Prague I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train. The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come. -Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between A lush, luminous story of outsiders....Parikh's prose shimmers; get ready to be immersed in its rich textures and breathtaking illusions...But the real magic is human connection, a sense of belonging, self-fulfillment. I cheered until the final page for Parikh's characters who strive to beat the odds in a world of turmoil, characters drawn with great love by their creator, in this novel so generous in scope and heart. -Jeanette Lynes, The Small Things That End the World

Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written a passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves. -Pam Jenoff, author of The Woman With the Blue Star The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. -Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope. -Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan Sit back and enjoy as this magical story transports you through war-torn Europe, demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways. -Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Secret Daughter A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine. -Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague

Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written a passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves. -Pam Jenoff, author of The Woman With the Blue Star The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. -Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife Sit back and enjoy as this magical story transports you through war-torn Europe, demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways. -Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Secret Daughter A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine. -Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague

Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written a passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves. -Pam Jenoff, author of The Woman With the Blue Star The Circus Train is a dazzling and delightful debut. Amita Parikh plunges us into a mesmerizing tale of colorful acts and characters, who must elicit truth from illusion as they face dark forces and seek out their places in a changing world. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. -Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife This is a poignant story of a young woman's strive for independence, overcoming disability, the atrocities of WWII, and betrayal. Heartbreak, romance and love filter throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending offering hope. -Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan Sit back and enjoy as this magical story transports you through war-torn Europe, demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways. -Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Secret Daughter A spellbinding tale of illusions, family secrets, courage, and devotion, as a circus train tours European cities under threat of war and persecution. Amita Parikh's skills as a storyteller will enthrall the reader. In Lena Papadopoulos she has created an irresistible and memorable young heroine. -Carol Windley, author of Midnight Train to Prague I fell head and heart into the pages of The Circus Train. The triumphant spirit of the characters shines brightly as they navigate the extravagance of the World of Wonders circus and a challenging historical landscape. This is a book readers will carry with them, in the best of ways, for a long time to come. -Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between

Author Information

Amita Parikh was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and received an Honours BSc from the University of Toronto. When she's not writing, she works in the tech industry. The Circus Train is her first novel.

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