Sign in with Facebook
Stacey's Reviews > The Life She Was Given
The Life She Was Given
by
by
4.5 I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Life She Was Given. I felt my heartstrings pulled as I read about the harrowing tale of Lilly being locked in a room and her mother selling her to the circus. And then in alternating chapters we’re introduced to Julia set a least 20 years apart from Lilly. We know that Julia was anxious to escape the strict and cold environment she grew up in and distances herself from her family. Then one day at work in a diner she receives unexpected news that turns her life inside out.
A very descriptive portrayal of the cruel yet pseudo family life of the circus. I was emotionally drawn to Lilly when her childhood was taken away from her by first being locked in the attic and then sold to the circus as a young girl. The circus is a hard life yet it offered her friendships and we saw her grow and stand up for herself when she refused to lie to benefit the circus. The owners didn’t offer her one ounce of respect and treated her as their property. She then catches the attention of an elephant trainer with the gentle way she had with animals. Her life in the circus turns from being a side show to the main attraction.
Julia’s story is one shrouded in mystery. Slowly the layers start peeling away as I turned the pages faster. Usually when there are two narratives I favor one more than the other, but here I was equally invested in knowing the outcome. This is a very satisfying read as the conclusion is slowly revealed.
A very descriptive portrayal of the cruel yet pseudo family life of the circus. I was emotionally drawn to Lilly when her childhood was taken away from her by first being locked in the attic and then sold to the circus as a young girl. The circus is a hard life yet it offered her friendships and we saw her grow and stand up for herself when she refused to lie to benefit the circus. The owners didn’t offer her one ounce of respect and treated her as their property. She then catches the attention of an elephant trainer with the gentle way she had with animals. Her life in the circus turns from being a side show to the main attraction.
Julia’s story is one shrouded in mystery. Slowly the layers start peeling away as I turned the pages faster. Usually when there are two narratives I favor one more than the other, but here I was equally invested in knowing the outcome. This is a very satisfying read as the conclusion is slowly revealed.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Life She Was Given.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
November 10, 2017
–
Started Reading
November 10, 2017
– Shelved
November 17, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-11 of 11 (11 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Julie
(new)
-
added it
Nov 17, 2017 10:37AM
Terrific review, Stacey!! I've heard good things about this book. I may have to check it out!
reply
|
flag
Julie wrote: "Terrific review, Stacey!! I've heard good things about this book. I may have to check it out!"Thank you. It's a quick read. It took me a week, but other than that it's quick, lol.
Awesome review Stacey! This one sounds good. I added it.
Super review and you've intrigued me. Harsher or similar to Water for Elephants?
Holly wrote: "Awesome review Stacey!"Thanks Holly! xo
Mary wrote: "Awesome review Stacey! This one sounds good. I added it."Thank you Mary! Historical fiction is a nice change of pace from all the thrillers I've been reading lately.
Victoria wrote: "Super review and you've intrigued me. Harsher or similar to Water for Elephants?"Victoria, I'd say it's similar to Water for Elephants. That was a good one!
This was a WONDERFUL review Stacey!! I love the way you worded everything - I'm going to add this one because now I would like to pick it up. Thankyou! X
Svetlana wrote: "This was a WONDERFUL review Stacey!! I love the way you worded everything - I'm going to add this one because now I would like to pick it up. Thankyou! X"Thank you Svetlana! I hope you love it as much as I did =)
