This book is written in alternating past and present chapters. It is very interesting that ageing is presented from the viewpoint of the elderly person, which is quite uncommon. Initally, I found the chapters about the present intrusive. I was more interested in the chapters about the circus, which took place during the great depression. But both parts converge at the end. It turned out to be a unique way to flesh out a character, from both ends of his life. Sara Gruen puts me right there, at the circus, with all the excitment and sawdust. Circus life consists of moments of splender and long spells of toil, dirt and suffering. There is a strict class system in the circus. Performers at the top with private train cars and ordinary workers with no privileges, not even regular pay. But when an emergency occurs, there is great loyalty to the circus family and everyone pulls together. There is so many layers to this story. The scope of suffering connected to prohibation was much wider then I knew. Mental illness is addressed. The characters interact with great animals, who have their own stories. This book is quite a departure from Gruen's first two books, I can't wait to see what direction her next book takes.