The Ringmaster's Wife

Cambron describes herself as a vintage-inspired storyteller and I think that is such an adapt description. I loved reading about life in the circus about John and Mable and Colin and Rosamund. I found myself picking the book up time and time again just to lose myself in the story, to read more about John and Mable's and Colin and Rosamund's lives and how that was unfolding. The storytelling was weaved so perfectly it kept me captivated by itself I didn't need any huge plot to keep me entertained or engaged. A beautiful engaging story where I think the storytelling was the star rather than a non stop action plot.

This novel is such a treat. Its lyrical prose transported me effortlessly to the vibrant and energetic world of the Ringling Brothers' Circus, capturing not just the sights and sounds, but also the personalities and the emotional highs and lows that made up this fascinating world. Mable Ringling may be the ringmaster's wife but it is the story of Lady Rosamund Easling and circus manager and recruiter, Colin Keary, that takes centre ring in the novel. As their story unfolds, the reader is given glimpses into Mable's past in a way that parallels and influences Rosamund's own journey. Although from very different backgrounds, both women made a deliberate choice to leave behind the world they knew and embrace an unconventional life with the circus. This is one of those stories where I'm hesitant to say much about the plot, because so much of the enjoyment comes from getting to know the characters and sharing their journey as the story unfolds. And I really loved these characters! Every scene felt like I was spending quality time with them; getting to know them, experiencing their world, glimpsing their strengths and their vulnerabilities, sharing their struggles and triumphs, watching their friendship develop, and, particularly in Colin's case, learning a little more of their stories. A truly beautiful reading experience. Encore!

\\r\\nThe four main characters meant I did find The Ringmaster's Wife a little difficult to get into. It started in 1929, then moved back to 1926, then to when Mable was twelve, then to when she was in her late teens (and had changed her name, so I did have to flick backwards and forwards a bit to confirm Armilda was Mable. Because, you know, that didn't exactly jump out as being obvious. At least not to me. Overall, it wasn't so much split timeline (as were Kirsty Cambron's previous novels) as it was all over the place. \\r\\n\\r\\nBut some of the writing was lacklusture at best, and goes against every modern writing rule at worst (well, goes against all James Scott Bell and Margie Lawson's writing rules. I'm not sure whether they would have bothered a reader who wasn't also a freelance fiction editor, but they certainly bothered me). \\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\nThe underlying theme of The Ringmaster's Wife was going behind the mask in the search for self (or perhaps the search for the person God meant us to be). This was mostly played out by the character of Lady Rosamund aka The English Rose, but it was also important for Mabel and for Colin. It's a timeless theme, one that resonates as much today as in 1929. \\r\\n\\r\\nThanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.