The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron
A Book Guaranteed to Bring You Joy
Yeah….about that…
I was on Instagram one day, idly scrolling when this book post caught my attention. Someone has had the charming idea of choosing a novel, packaging it in a box with small gifts to be opened as you reach certain pages, & then having online discussions about it. I mean, how cool is THAT?!?
Turns out, extremely cool.
If only…..if only the book had been half as enjoyable! What a disappointment. Maybe it’s written for young adults but the publishers forgot to mention that. That would explain a lot. Maybe it’s my own fault for wanting presents as I read…surely no grown woman needs trinkets to keep her content & in the story…But the writing is juvenile, the language is contrived (who knew so many conversations were whispered in life?), & the plot predictable. Add to that the confusion of two different narratives in two different eras, & for much of the book, on two different continents…I was constantly having to wrinkle my brow & flip back to see what year I was in.
If you want to read about a poor little rich girl’s break from a noble family to run away & star in a circus where everyone adores her (because she is without fault & beautiful in every way), here’s the perfect novel for you. Personally, I was much more interested in Mable’s story, which, unfortunately, isn’t elaborated on much after she meets John Ringling. Save yourself & read instead a nonfiction account…sounds like an interesting life, to say the least.
Amy Johnson, Guest Blogger in Residence 2016
Book #45 of 52
Sevier County Public Library System 