I loved this book! The writing is spectacular. And I loved the notes at the end cluing us in to just how much research Gruen did for this book. And that research really shows in the tone and the "real-ness" of the circus. I was really afraid of this book initially because I thought it was gonna be a poorly written book fantasizing early circus life, but it wasn't at all. I was so pleased. And Jacob being in the nursing home really tugged at my heart-strings, if you'll excuse the cliche. I finished this book in about two days over the holiday break and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure story.