Point of peace blog

Posts Tagged ‘plm’

***SPOILER ALERT***
Put this novel on the FUN READ shelf. Definitely nothing mind-blowing in terms of plot or prose but a very entertaining look at depression era circus life.
The author alternates (for the most part) chapters between Jacob’s life during the depression and his life as a 90 year old in a nursing home. One gets the sense that the author seeks to evoke some sympathy for the 90 year Jacob’s plight. In this endeavor she fails as she never fully fleshes out his relationship with his children. Thus the reader is left feeling slightly apathetic as to his plight as a lonely and ornery old man wasting away in a assisted living facility.
Finally, the ending is a bit contrived and convenient. The frail old Jacob making a break for it out of the retirement home and going to the circus event that is in town. There of course he meets and befriends one of the circus directors who spirits him away on their cross country tour. Happily ever blah blah blah.
All of this is not to discourage someone from reading this novel. The author can write with rhythm and keeps the pacing light and quick. Viewing the novel as a love story, the author is adept at capturing the dual emotional nature of love with phrases like: “exhausted and recharged, desperate and fulfilled.” With a good writer, this book would make a great movie.
Sony Glasstron PLM A35