A GREAT GROUP READS Selection of the Women’s National Book Association and National Reading Group Month A GOODREADS Best of the Month Selection “A powerful, poignant novel.” —In Touch, Grade A From the internationally bestselling author of The Orphan Collector comes a beautifully written and moving tale of family secrets and the importance of a mother’s love—and how it can shape a life—even in … of family secrets and the importance of a mother’s love—and how it can shape a life—even in the most shocking ways. A painful saga of strength and reinvention perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Lisa Wingate—set in two different times, as two young women come of age and uncover the mysteries of their families, and find their own ways in the world…
On a summer evening in 1931, Lilly Blackwood glimpses circus lights from the grimy window of her attic bedroom. Lilly isn’t allowed to explore the meadows around Blackwood Manor. She’s never even ventured beyond her narrow room. Momma insists it’s for Lilly’s own protection, that people would be afraid if they saw her. But on this unforgettable night, Lilly is taken outside for the first time—and sold to the circus sideshow.
More than two decades later, nineteen-year-old Julia Blackwood has inherited her parents’ estate and horse farm. For Julia, home was an unhappy place full of strict rules and forbidden rooms, and she hopes that returning might erase those painful memories. Instead, she becomes immersed in a mystery involving a hidden attic room and photos of circus scenes featuring a striking young girl.
At first, The Barlow Brothers’ Circus is just another prison for Lilly. But in this rag-tag, sometimes brutal world, Lilly discovers strength, friendship, and a rare affinity for animals. Soon, thanks to elephants Pepper and JoJo and their handler, Cole, Lilly is no longer a sideshow spectacle but the circus’s biggest attraction…until tragedy and cruelty collide. It will fall to Julia to learn the truth about Lilly’s fate and her family’s shocking betrayal, and find a way to make Blackwood Manor into a place of healing at last.
Moving between Julia and Lilly’s stories, Ellen Marie Wiseman portrays two extraordinary, very different women in a novel that, while tender and heartbreaking, offers moments of joy and indomitable hope.
“Perfect for book clubs and readers who admired Sara Gruen’s Like Water for Elephants.”
—Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“A vibrant maze of desires.”
—ForeWord Reviews
“Seamlessly blends mystery and history with compelling and well-researched details.”
—The Historical Novels Review
“Vividly drawn and complex…Fans of Karen White and Sara Gruen will be drawn in by the drama and mystery of Wiseman’s novel.”
—BookPage
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I loved this book. Though some parts made me hold my breath as my heart clenched with sadness, I loved the unfolding of the plot and the way the characters developed. The structure of the novel kept me turning pages as well.
I could not put this book down. Lily’s life was so tragic most of the story I found my self cheering as I read anytime things were going good and dreading the next page because who knew what was going to happen. Never saw the ending coming amazing rea.
A great book, couldn’t put it down! Author is very descriptive, makes you feel that you are right there with the characters. Would read it again!
I have loved this author’s books since The Plum Tree, which is still one of my all time favorites.
I was pulled in this book from page one and raced through it to the end. I could not put it down. The details really pull you and make you feel like you are part of the circus.
This was easily a 5 star book for me.
If you’re looking for a book with a bit of a mystery (you’ll think you know the answer but, trust me, you don’t!) and don’t mind a not-so-happy ending for a main character, then check out this novel. Lilly has spent the first decade of her life locked in the attic all because she was born with albinism. But when her mother sells her to the circus, everything changes – sometimes in ways that will make you cheer, but more often than not in ways that will make you grimace and wonder if Lilly can ever catch a break. Twenty years later, Julia learns about the mysterious Lilly and sets out to find out exactly who she was, and the truth of her family.
Heavier summer reading, and well worth it.
I loved learning more about what it might have been like during this era and to be in something as “exotic” as a circus. Good read.
In The Life She Was Given, Ellen Marie Wiseman portrays the havoc wreaked by family secrets, betrayals, and downright evil behavior. It is the fascinating story of Lilly Blackwood, a young girl of the Depression-era, sold to the Circus as a side-show freak who later becomes the star attraction under the Big Top. Alongside Lilly’s story is that of Julia Blackwood. Two decades later, in the 1950s, Julia inherits her parents’ home as well as the family’s very lucrative racehorse raising business. This is the same house in which Lilly was hidden in the attic until the day she was sold to the circus. Julia, completely unaware of Lilly’s existence, begins finding clues in the house that lead her to an unthinkable conclusion.
I liked this story for the intriguing characters and the exotic, though often cruel, view into circus life. I loved Lilly’s indomitable spirit despite the abuse heaped upon her from birth. I also enjoyed going along with Julia as she put the puzzle pieces together.
This is a powerful story with interesting characters. Despite the sadness of it, a sense of hope and determination to set things right shines through.
Such an incredible story! This dramatic suspense novel was both heartbreaking and hopeful.
After being sold to the circus in 1931 by her mother, Lilly faces an uncertain future. Twenty five years later, 18 year old Julia is struggling with her past. Well fleshed-out characters set in richly detailed backdrops make this a compelling read.
Fast paced and masterfully written, the dual timelines kept me completely invested until the full circle conclusion.
This book will stay with me for a long time.
great book/story
I found this to be a hard book to read due to some of the topics discussed. I loved Lilly’s character and found her to be a strong willed girl/woman who cared deeply for animals and would do anything to protect them. The author did a great job with setting the scenes.
In all the years that I’ve been reading – since the age of seven – I have never read such a book like Ellen Marie Wiseman’s THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN. I never ready anything by this author, and this book came highly recommended to me. I’m not going to give the story away at all, but I will tell you I started reading about Lilly and Julia with each chapter switching from one to the other. By the fourth chapter I was completely hooked. I had to keep reading as I was so taken away. As I kept doing so, more would unfold. I became so absorbed in this story chapter after chapter. At one point while reading at the kitchen table, I yelled out “WOW”! My husband was also in the kitchen. He turned around and said he’s never heard me say or do that before while reading a book. He said it must be really good, and I said I’ve never read anything like it before. It’s fabulous. It had me riveted constantly. I could not put it down, and I even read after my bedtime. I wanted to finish it in two days, but life gets in the way, so I read it in two and a half. I was told that I would cry, and indeed, I did. This story is so emotional and heartbreaking. I can honestly say this is the best book I have EVER read. If you don’t read it, you don’t know what you’re missing. I HIGHLY recommend it as it was to me, and you won’t be disappointed. If I could rate it with 10 stars, I would. READ THIS BOOK!
One of the best readings. I felt like I was in the book and experiencing the pain and sorrow. I have never cried while reading a book as I did with this one. It is definitely up there as one of my favorites.
This book was amazing! It had all of my emotions invested in the story from start to finish. If you love reading stories about the circus this is one for you!
The horror of what the characters endure will leave you completely captivated and you will not be able to stop reading until you reach the end. I could not make it through without both tears of happiness and sadness. Please take the time to read this story, it is amazing written!
I LOVED this book. I highly recommend it!
It’s one of those books you just have to read in one setting. Tragic. Haunting.
It was an amazing book that still haunts me. I have rarely read a book that just lingers and lingers even when I am reading something else. The tragedy and triumph of Lilly will inspire and enrage you in equal amounts. So amazing. Highly recommended!
First, I want to say how much Lilly’s story moved me. Although not as extreme, here in the Bible belt there are still mothers like hers. I loved the homage to Flowers in the Attic, which was a book I read over and over in my adolescent years.
That being said, I feel that some of the low reviews that mention the ending are misguided.
WARNING – SPOILERS
Pepper’s death scene could have only been written the way it was written. It was meant to shock you, it was meant to make you cry, and most importantly, it was entirely realistic. In the questions with the author, Ms. Wiseman mentions that she found the story of Mary the Sparx Brothers’ elephant during her research and wanted to include it in her book. I didn’t need to read that to know that Pepper’s death was an homage to Mary.
I grew up in the town Mary was hanged. 30-some years ago, the town was PROUD to be “the town that hung (sic) the elephant.” On the side of a downtown shop, named “The Hanging Elephant,” there was a disgusting mural of a dead Mary hanging from a chain. Mary’s story, even in the 80s, was repeated to children in gruesome detail. Ms. Wiseman breathed new life into Mary’s story, and for those who read author Q&As, spread that story beyond our isolated region of northeast Tennessee. Mary deserves to always be remembered. She was a perfect example of animals being animals. She is the reason my children have never been to a circus with live animals, and the reason they have vowed to never take their children to one either
Some of the reviews were negative and I wasn’t sure I would finish this book. As it turns out, I really like Wiseman’s writing. There is the circus animal abuse in the book that was graphic; but in remembering when Lilly’s part of the story was to take place (1930’s/1940s), this type of abuse is not addressed in the same way it is today. Lilly’s character is different, her parents and the general population did look upon her as someone who needs to be caged or treated like a freak in the circus. The author does well in showing Lilly’s progressing into accepting herself and her new circus family, and thus starts Lilly’s understanding that all people and animals deserve respect.
Alternating chapters with Lilly is Julia. She had the choice to run from the same parents who raised Lilly. Julia’s life is not so great on her own, but then she inherits the family property. The author does develop this character decently away from the angry daughter who ran away from home.
A lot happens in the book. It is a tough read with the animal abuse issue in the book, and the neglect and abuse that Lilly as a child, and her circus family endures as freaks. Seeing that people may be different on the outside, but more alike on the inside, is written well here. Understanding that people still hold the older views and how keeping all this private affects our lives is brought to light in the book.
Diversity, coming of age, forgiveness are all part of the plot. The ending could have been written a little tightened up, and maybe a not so perfect, happy ending. I believe, after reading The Life She Was Given, I will read more of Ellen Marie Wiseman.
I enjoyed this.. but I think it is important to note how vastly different circuses are today than what is portrayed in the book. I was born and raised in the carnival concession business and although I do not doubt that these things happened in the past, many efforts are put in to keep the animals as comfortable as possible in these times.
The book was good, and the ending was a huge revelation that definitely left me shocked.
The Life She Was Given is a riveting, heart-wrenching story, a book unlike anything I’ve ever read!! My heart was racing from the very first page; my heart was pulled in a million different directions. The Life She Was Given runs the gamut of emotions; tender and terrifying, heartbreaking and hopeful. Julia and Lilly, two young women, decades apart, who grew up unloved, victimized and mistreated; can they overcome their dismal childhoods, and find a path to resilience, strength, love, and happiness? This book, these characters, their stories, are going to live in my head and my heart forever. Brava, Ellen Marie Wiseman, and thank you from the bottom of my shattered heart for letting me read an early copy of this book.