• The Circus Train

  • By: Amita Parikh
  • Narrated by: Imogen Church
  • Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (98 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Circus Train  By  cover art

The Circus Train

By: Amita Parikh
Narrated by: Imogen Church
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.25

Buy for $20.25

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

International Bestseller and #1 LibraryReads Pick

Water for Elephants meets The Night Circus in this World War II debut about a magnificent travelling circus, a star-crossed romance, and one girl’s coming-of-age during the darkest of times.

“A powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves.” —Pam Jenoff, author of
The Orphan’s Tale

When all is lost, how do you find the courage to keep moving forward?

1938. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena—who uses a wheelchair after a childhood bout with polio—yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, her mind stronger than the limitations placed on her by society. Then her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past.

As World War II escalates around them, their friendship blossoms into something deeper while Alexandre trains as the illusionist’s apprentice. But when Theo and Alexandre are arrested and made to perform in a town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena is separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible—herself.

©2022 Amita Parikh (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves.” (Pam Jenoff, author of The Woman With the Blue Star)

“Magic, love, destiny, and illusion combine with the glitter of 20th century circus life and the heartbreak of war….A powerful tale of hope in the face of tragedy and great love in the face of staggering loss…Extraordinary debut.” (Kristin Harmel, author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars)

"Sit back and enjoy as this magical story transports you through war-torn Europe, demonstrating how family can be found in the most unconventional ways." (Shilpi Somaya Gowda, author of The Secret Daughter)

What listeners say about The Circus Train

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    64
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    57
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    54
  • 4 Stars
    15
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Great story of love, hardship, adventure and grit. Narrator good with female voices, not so much with the males

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pleasantly surprised!

I wasn’t sure how I’d like this book, as I’ve had a hard time getting into circus-themed books in the past. But this read much more like a well-researched historical fiction novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Skipping

Did not like that it kept skipping years ahead right when something significant was getting ready to happen. Did enjoy listening to the reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story

It was a beautiful story, ending was a bit predictable, but nice twists in between. Wonderful performance.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected!

A very surprising story of a girl overcoming so much and persevering through it all. I expected more to be directed to the war and the camps in general. But this was a very interesting take from a different point of view. I loved the twists that kept me guessing and of course the love story building throughout. Overall well done and would definitely recommend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Five stars for this incredible novel!

A touching story set in a dark period of history. You will fall in love or hate w the characters! Excellent all around. Amazing reading done by the voice actor!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A read I didn't think I'd like, but loved!

A new genre for me, and I loved it! I would say it's much of a historical read like I was expecting but it was very fun to listen to, especially since there are many names that the narrator was able to pronounce that I would have butchered and accents that she did so well that helped differentiate who the characters were.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

I enjoyed this story although I think it could have been a bit grittier and not so pleasant, since I imagine some of these events would have been much more challenging during WWII than they way they were depicted here. I think I might have enjoyed reading it more though. There are many characters of many nationalities in this story, so it would take a talented narrator to pull it off. I think she did well with some characters and other times the narration was so articulate and slow, it grated on me, because it seemed so unnatural. But I persevered and am glad I finished it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I believe…

The book gives hope that you can do what ever you set your mind too. And that life can be bitter but also sweet.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

This was an interesting and compelling story. The first chapters were a little slow but I’m glad I stayed. The narration was a little slow but I sped it up to 1.2x and it was perfect. I loves the voices and I felt like I was taken to that time and place. If this was this authors first novel, I can’t wait to see more from her.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful