"Orphaned, penniless, Jacob Jankowski jumps a freight train in the dark, and in that instant, transforms his future. By morning, he's landed a job with the Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. By nightfall, he’s in love. In an America made colourless by prohibition and the Depression, the Circus is a refuge of sequins and sensuality. But behind the glamour lies a darker world, where both animals and men are dispensable. Where falling in love is the most dangerous act of all..."

I enjoyed this reading and was really captivated by the story, particularly the parts where we accompany the present 93 year old Jacob. I also thought it was a perfect ending for him, even if not very realistic... :)

There are minor details that I would like to refer:
I think the dialogues in polish should have been translated (they are not that numerous or important to understand the storyline but still it is frustrating to not understand them and the fact is that internet and its translation tools are not always at hand...)

(MINOR SPOILER)They took too long to understand that Rosie wasn't stupid but only understood polish... it crossed my mind the first time she appeared, when it is mentioned that she had been with people from Poland!

(SPOILER)I think Jacob should have tried to go find Walter just in case he had survived...

At the end of the book, there is a conversation with the author where a parallel between this story and the one of Jacob from the Bible is mentioned. I couldn't see any parallel until I searched the internet for an explanation... for those of you who also missed it, and are curious about it, here it is (WITH SOME SPOILERS):

-There are anagrams, both exact and phonetic: Catherine Hale=Leah, Marlena L'Arche=Rachel, Alan Bunkel (Uncle Al)=Uncle Laban.
-Jacob "lies back on the bank, resting my head on a flat stone."
-In the Biblical story Jacob "stayed among the tents"--a reference indicating that he was studious and had a reserved personality like Gruen's Jacob (who also spent time "among the tents").
-Jacob accused Laban (Rachel's father) of "changing my pay time after time" just as Gruen's Jacob has trouble getting his pay from Uncle Al.
-There is the dream.
-There is the animal husbandry for Uncle Laban.
-Jacob and Rachel (Marlena) leave with Uncle Laban's (Uncle Al's) best livestock.
-Jacob must do an additional seven years of animal husbandry in order to be with Marlena.
-Some of his children's names are the same (Simon, Dinah, Joseph).
-He breaks his hip, etc.

Finally, I saw references to photos that are part of the book but this edition doesn't have any photos... :(

Este livro vai ser enviado para surpreender alguém através do Pai Natal.
E até vai embrulhado para manter o suspense mais um bocadinho... :)
Boa viagem e um Feliz Natal!

This book is traveling with the Portuguese Santa Claus to another bookcrosser who will certainly enjoy it!

Merry Christmas!

E o livro já está comigo!

A escolha não podia ter sido melhor, madrinha Ichigochi, adorei :) o postal também já está junto dos outros, ao pé da árvore de Natal, hehe..

Um feliz Natal!