Novel set aboard a circus train, traversing Europe in 1938 onwards

21st December 2022

The Circus Train by Amita Parikh, novel set aboard a circus train, traversing Europe in 1938 onwards.

All aboard the World of Wonders circus train, starting out in London in 1938 and heading for Europe and beyond on tour – from London through to Minsk, South to North, East to West, down to Greece and up to Scandinavia…

Europe is heading for troubled times as war looms but in the train the entertainers are still doing their star turns. The stark contrast between the darkening skies over the continent and the capricious, almost fairy tale nature of the train, ferrying its band of merry performers from country to country, is nuanced; the deft handling is what makes this a stand-out novel.

Lena, daughter of the illusionist, rides along but because she is bound to her wheelchair – she contracted polio in her early years – she has to keep herself entertained as best she can and because of her disability, she is keen to further her knowledge of the sciences and medicine. Clara is there to assist and help her learn. Lena befriends Alexandre, a young Jewish boy and they spend time together as their friendship grows. He is brought into the folds of the train travellers and manages to assimilate into the group but fate is cruel and Lena loses people to whom she is close, amidst the confusion and terror of war. And yet her determination sees her through.

This is a story of love and loss, of friendship and trickery. In fact it has so many elements bound into it that it has the feel of a magical epic, rooted in darker times, that bowls along with a real spring in its step, you can almost hear the music, feel the rumble of the wheels on the tracks and experience the awe of the big top. The writing carries the reader along on a wonderful, sad, heartwarming and ultimately unique journey.

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