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Circus of Wonders cover art

Circus of Wonders

By: Elizabeth Macneal
Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton
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Summary

THE Sunday Times Best Seller

This audiobook is read by Tuppence Middleton (Mank and Downton Abbey). 

1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell picks violets for a living. Set apart by her community because of the birthmarks that speckle her skin, Nell’s world is her beloved brother and devotion to the sea.

But when Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped. Her father has sold her, promising Jasper Jupiter his very own leopard girl. It is the greatest betrayal of Nell's life, but as her fame grows, and she finds friendship with the other performers and Jasper’s gentle brother Toby, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.

In London, newspapers describe Nell as the eighth wonder of the world. Figurines are cast in her image, and crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. But who gets to tell Nell’s story? What happens when her fame threatens to eclipse that of the showman who bought her? And as she falls in love with Toby, can he detach himself from his past and the terrible secret that binds him to his brother? 

Moving from the pleasure gardens of Victorian London to the battle-scarred plains of the Crimea, Circus of Wonders is an astonishing story about power and ownership, fame and the threat of invisibility.

©2021 Elizabeth Macneal (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

Critic reviews

"Beautifully written." (The Times)

"An absolute triumph." (Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars)

"A glittering follow-up to The Doll Factory." (Guardian)

What listeners say about Circus of Wonders

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful misery

It is beautifully written, incredibly evocative and comes at the story from obscure and interesting angles, but for me, despite all that, it was not a story I longed to get back to. In fact I was glad when it was over. Perhaps it's just me and I personally need more escapism - this story was just too much like the heartache of real life, with one tragic heartbreak heaped upon the next. Narrated and brought to life with great skill.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

For fans of The Night Circus and Caraval

This was completely up my street. I really enjoyed The Doll Factory and Circus of Wonders didn't disappoint as a second novel. I think the ending was slightly rushed with one or two unanswered questions but other than that, great listen. Tuppence Middleton is a wonderful narrator.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Wordy

Lost my attention about 10 mins in, author is very keen on descriptions, narrator does a good job

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful tale

This was a five star review for me and my long review is posted on Amazon U.K.

With respect to the audiobook, I have enjoyed Tuppence Middleton’s narration on a number of previous audiobooks, including Elizabeth Macneal’s debut, ‘The Doll Factory’. She is an experienced British actor with stage, film and television credits and she voices the range of characters in this novel with ease. I found her voice exquisite with a silky texture that is very pleasurable to listen to.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • TP
  • 01-06-21

Enjoyed The Doll Factory this falls flat

Clumsy, plodding and repetitive narrative. I really wanted to like this new offering from Elizabeth Macneal but it was awful, the characters were one dimensional, drowning in self pity and loathing, really hard to keep listening as the narration made it worse.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

story and details that take you right there

The story and the characters are addictive. The details and descriptions so good and precise, you could be there with them.
only disappointment is that it ended leaving me either a lot of unanswered questions. would love there to be a follow up book.....please

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tuppence Middleton reads this so well. Her voice takes you into the lives so easily.

Great story and eye opener into the lives of women, circus, love, greed, determination, family and struggles.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A bit dull

I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, but this one was much longer and much less compelling. After a few hours listening, I saw that I still had 6 hours to go. I was filled with horror. The story had lost any momentum and became an awful slog.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good not great

I love stories set around circuses. This particular novel chooses the crueller side of circus life which is a valid and interesting story to tell.
Unfortunately, the lead characters fall a little flat. None of their motivations are well rounded. The ending is also fine, expected and not a bad choice but it leaves nothing of a wanting to know more which I think a great book does. When a great book ends your disappointment is very acute. When this book ended I was more unimpressed and wanting to get onto the next book.
Another issue was the word brother. It is used far too much throughout the book. In the chapters with the male leads the term brother is used almost every other word! I understand he has a connection and toxic relationship with his brother but we don’t need to hear about it constantly.
Voice acting was also good. With a less than amazing story they did an okay job. Unfortunately, for me this wasn’t a special story and not one I’ll be recommending.
If you like circuses and want a good read it’s a good choice but don’t expect an epic story that changes you.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Tc
  • 24-08-22

For such a interesting subject it’s a bit dull

I’ve not got to the end yet, but have found this story a little dull. I really liked the authors other book. Just waiting for the twist but still another 2hrs to go. Maybe the ending will be. A pleasant surprise?

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