Interesting, well-developed characters take the reader into the chronic miseries of advancing old age as well as the world of the traveling circus during the Great Depression. The author's well-researched work ensures all the reader's senses are engaged. Told in the somber tone of the time, this poignant and tender novel is ultimately the tale of a man who cannot be broken by circumstances. I especially appreciated the witty inner thoughts of the older Jacob!

the book itself is good but the ending just makes it a great one. I loved the older Jacob, his rants and speaches had me laughing hysterically! As for the advantures of a younger Jacob, the pain, truth, and the strive for aptness in a world where there is little brought about through beautiful words was ideal. And once again, the ending was just so perfect, I loved ever bit of the last, what? fifty pages? Lovely! Recommended.

One of my favorite protagonists in a long time. Jacob is lost after his parents' death, and finds himself by running away to the circus. An equally intoxicating, and sobering (?) look at the Prohibition Era too. The reader lends nice texture to Older Jacob's voice. The actor as Young Jacob provides an appropriate sense of humor, confusion, and natural decency the character needs. The love story was my least favorite element. Although, given the story is chiefly of Jacob's accelerated journey into adulthood, I'll admit it seemed necessary.