The Ringmaster's Daughter: A beautiful and heartbreaking World War 2 love story

Nearly stopped midway, but continued, hoping for better. It did. Glaring inconsistency as question pending concerning the irrational action by Ringmaster Werner in supposedly protecting his workers: anonymous Michel jumped into his private train fleeing Paris to escape the Nazis -- yet subsequently, Warner sold the train to eventually return near Paris to a safe haven estate owned by friend Henri -- a wasted journey, especially since Anton was previously arrested, and all other individuals placed in imminent danger, during that interval, from the Germans.

I loved the story with its twists and turns. It showed the strength and courage of the war time and how people survived. I wish the ending would have been a little different with a definite end.

I've always loved the circus and have early memories of one coming to our very small Illinois town on the railroad, so this story was very special to me. Years later living in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a city with the history of several smal circuses , I married a local boy and had four daughters. The circus used to come to Sheboygan most years. My daughters would tell you I always took them in the morning to watch the roadies and elephants put up the big top, but that they never got to see the actual performance. That's not true, we did see the circus some years. However, to me the best part of the show was always watching the magnificent big top go up. Now my husband and I spend part of the year at our vacation home near Sarasota, Florida, previously the winter home of the great Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and many performers like the Walendas still live in the area and put on an occasional show. When the circus is on, you can still see the big top with its flag flying from its top, still gigantic and splendid. I also have a perfectly naughty little schnauzer puppy named Bailey and all the circus elephants have apparently been furloughed to live out their lives in green pastures.

Written in a very rudimentary, short, elementary voice, the book reads like it was written by, and for, young adults. The story follows the arc of a fable, with some adult themes thrown in. A best seller because it doesn’t require thought or contemplation. The words are not complex nor is the storyline.

Ms Schabowski story is good about a young man running my from the Germans during WWII He is also running towards a life he never envisioned. He meets some interesting characters along the way. I was disappoint econ h o w the book ends. I knew what happened to Michael but the story left off on how Frieda survived in New York and what really happens between them. All in all it was a good St o but not a page turner. Still worth a rea

Highlights: Circus, Paris, Jewish rep, found family, survaival story.If you are looking for a WW2 novel with a unique setting, you may enjoy The Ringmaster's Daughter by Carly Schabowski, especially if you love books about a circus. I loved the beautiful writing style and reading about all the colorful characters, the members of the traveling troupe, and their often tragic stories, but the romance left me wanting more. Read this book for the setting and a beautiful story of friendships and survival but not for romance.

This was another wonderfully written story! I love books set in this time period and find them so interesting. My father was in the service during WWII but never wanted to share stories about that time. I can understand why, so reading books like this gives me some insight to what it must have been like through someone else's eyes.

What a wonderful book. The characters in the circus are so diverse, but they work together, play together, and care for each other in a time of turmoil as the Germans advance across France. The story is breathtaking as one is kept wondering what the Germans will do next. This author is amazing!

1940 and as the war rages, Michels home, Paris, is threatened and he reluctantly flees. Finding himself within a group of colourful and dramatic characters, he joins the circus, Le Cirque Neumann. The circus becomes his haven, finding somewhere he can belong. He builds friendships, finds love, believes this life could be the making of him.A great historical read, highlighting more difficulties of war. It has moments of lighthearted, beauty but also heartache and suffering. As with many novels of this genre, it is a story of hope; a belief in better things to come and in a life that would not be governed by fear or the need to escape or watch over your shoulder.War is not the overriding theme though, merely a backdrop to this romantic tale. I enjoyed that we focus on the characters, their stories, and lives. Michel is quiet, charming in his own way and happy just to go along with things. Frieda is a breath of fresh air and I’m not surprised he falls for her in such a way. She is the one that keeps things together and her care for others shines through.I think the plot was nicely paced, characters were well written and established, although I have to say there were a lot of them to keep track of!! I found it to be a gorgeous read, I got through it very quickly.I enjoyed this book immensely but I was a little surprised that the author went from third person to first person towards the end. I felt the last part was rushed and jumped through time too much. I had anticipated a different ending, I was pleasantly surprised but I was very satisfied with how it was resolved.To be a great debut from this author, I will look forward to more.

This book was just delightful, set during the times of WWII, it’s a story of escaping and being free, losing people to refind them later down the line.Michel is escaping from Paris, the war and the Germans but doesn’t want to leave his friend Bertrand. After some persuasion, Michel finds himself getting involved with the circus who are also trying to stay safe and escape.It’s during the time at the circus, Michel falls in love with Frieda and at first believes he can’t have her.If you like your WWII based stories but getting a little disheartened with them being all samey samey, then give this read - it makes you just awww at the end!

Never judge a book by its cover - well this book has a beautiful cover! I have read other novels based in France during the Nazi occupation of world war 2 and thought that this one sounded intriguing with its circus storyline.Michel Bonnet escapes from Paris by hoping on a moving train but what he finds out after is that’s its a circus train. They are travelling around France performing and he starts working with them looking after their horses. What he doesn’t realise is that most of the performers are running from the Nazis themselves.The story spans the Second World War years and beyond, although i did enjoy it i felt it was longwinded at times. Also towards the end the story changed from third person to first person which in my opinion was unnecessary, but the ending itself was good and wrapped the story up nicely.

What a moving story this is. I was totally drawn into a war torn Paris where a troupe of people met, worked and lived together - in a circus. All of the characters have a story to tell and a reason to fear the invasion. Yet somehow it weaves them all together and it’s magical. There is love, sadness, great friendships and a fleeing from danger in the hope of survival. I devoured this book to see if there was triumph in the end and if love survived the atrocities of war.A true masterpiece of storytelling.

It was delightful, yet poignant tale of war torn Paris. A young man torn from his friend, to find himself amongst a circus troop. There are beautiful clarity of meeting and being with Beau a stallion, a connection from the start. A friendship with individuals from the circus who learn to trust him and they have respected in return.However, the tale jumps somewhat, leaving gaps in the story and an abrupt end ...or is there a sequel?