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Circus of Wonders

The Dazzling Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of The Doll Factory

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About this listen

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'Beautifully written' - The Times
'An absolute triumph' - Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars
'A glittering follow-up to The Doll Factory' - Guardian
'Entrancing. I couldn’t put it down' - Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie Langton

This audiobook is read by Tuppence Middleton (Mank and Downton Abbey).

1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell picks violets for a living. Set apart by her community because of the birthmarks that speckle her skin, Nell’s world is her beloved brother and devotion to the sea.

But when Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped. Her father has sold her, promising Jasper Jupiter his very own leopard girl. It is the greatest betrayal of Nell's life, but as her fame grows, and she finds friendship with the other performers and Jasper’s gentle brother Toby, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.

In London, newspapers describe Nell as the eighth wonder of the world. Figurines are cast in her image, and crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. But who gets to tell Nell’s story? What happens when her fame threatens to eclipse that of the showman who bought her? And as she falls in love with Toby, can he detach himself from his past and the terrible secret that binds him to his brother?

Moving from the pleasure gardens of Victorian London to the battle-scarred plains of the Crimea, Circus of Wonders is an astonishing story about power and ownership, fame and the threat of invisibility.

 Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Victorian Romance England

Critic reviews

A glittering follow-up to The Doll Factory . . . a mark of Macneal's subtlety and originality
Elizabeth Macneal’s marvellous debut, The Doll Factory, was a bestselling success. This second book, beautifully written and filled with character and life, cements her reputation as a new talent
Elizabeth Macneal has done it again . . . Entrancing, tender, captivating. A marvel. I couldn’t put it down. (Sara Collins, author of Costa First Novel Award winner The Confessions of Frannie Langton)
Wonderful . . . Glitters and gleams with the grimy stories of a travelling circus . . . Utterly beguiling
An absolute triumph. Exquisitely written, intensely satisfying (Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars)
Spectacular . . . A brilliantly involving story, vivid with the sights and sounds of Victorian England. A fantastic read
Dark but tender, evocative and compelling. I loved it (Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Blood & Sugar)
An equally satisfying exploration of some of the odder corners of Victorian life . . . a novel that again highlights Macneal’s rich imagination and vivid prose
A fantastical, absolutely immersive gem of a read
Macneal’s complex characters allow her to question how society treats difference, the price of power and vanity, and the pursuit of self-determination. At turns dark, joyous, frightening and heartbreaking, Circus Of Wonders makes for an absorbing read
A tremendous read. Richly imagined, vividly rendered, each scene is like an old painting in which light gleams off the detail . . . The story is full-bodied and addictive from the outset, told with pace and verve but never compromising style . . . Circus of Wonders displays in abundance everything readers loved about The Doll Factory . . . an ambitious, enlightening novel (Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters)
Deliciously vivid . . . every bit as atmospheric as you’d expect . . . A hopeful story of a girl taking charge of her destiny
Set in the same Victorian London as her stunning debut, The Doll Factory, Macneal's second novel is both thrilling and humane, bringing to life the brutal world of the freak show
You can’t help but be drawn into the exciting and sometimes macabre world of the circus, with its colourful cast of characters
Another seductive slice of Victorian noir
Circus of Wonders is confident and beautifully written (Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal)
A glittering, begrimed tale of love and self-determination flush with richly detailed prose. Sumptuous, macabre, enthralling; a perfect slice of Victoriana. (Jane Healey, author of The Animals at Lockwood Manor)
All stars
Most relevant
I love stories set around circuses. This particular novel chooses the crueller side of circus life which is a valid and interesting story to tell.
Unfortunately, the lead characters fall a little flat. None of their motivations are well rounded. The ending is also fine, expected and not a bad choice but it leaves nothing of a wanting to know more which I think a great book does. When a great book ends your disappointment is very acute. When this book ended I was more unimpressed and wanting to get onto the next book.
Another issue was the word brother. It is used far too much throughout the book. In the chapters with the male leads the term brother is used almost every other word! I understand he has a connection and toxic relationship with his brother but we don’t need to hear about it constantly.
Voice acting was also good. With a less than amazing story they did an okay job. Unfortunately, for me this wasn’t a special story and not one I’ll be recommending.
If you like circuses and want a good read it’s a good choice but don’t expect an epic story that changes you.

Good not great

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Great story and eye opener into the lives of women, circus, love, greed, determination, family and struggles.

Tuppence Middleton reads this so well. Her voice takes you into the lives so easily.

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Nice enough. A bit twee. Her previous novel was a bit edgier. It’s okay, an easy listen.

Nice enough

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Interesting and very engaging. I really wanted a happier ending but thats just how life goes sometimes!
Great writing, description and detail. Would kd make a good film. Really recommend this book.

Enchanting bittersweet

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I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, but this one was much longer and much less compelling. After a few hours listening, I saw that I still had 6 hours to go. I was filled with horror. The story had lost any momentum and became an awful slog.

A bit dull

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