Ellen Marie WisemanThe Life She Was Given: A Moving and Emotional Saga of Family and Resilient Women

I don't know why I waited so long to read this one. It's such a powerful sweeping epic set in the past when side shows with freaks were common but the country had fallen on hard times and many people were struggling to survive. And then we have this little girl who is living all alone locked up in a tiny bedroom up in the attic... She has never been outside. And she has never seen the rest of the house. No one knows she even lives up there. She has to be kept a secret because she is a freak.And then one night her mother sells her to the circus.And so starts Lilly's life on the outside at nine (or ten) years old...I must say this story totally captivated me! I could relate all to well to Lilly throughout the story, especially with her rare gift to communicate with animals. And there are many wonderful scenes in here with the circus animals like the zebras and especially the elephants. Lilly is very empathic and she has such a soft heart but often others are so cruel to her.There are many awful things in here. Its not a happy story at all. There's abuse and frightening scenes. But the characters are all written so well that I just fell into the world the author has created. This is definitely going onto my Favorite list. And there are many surprises in here too.Then this is a mystery as well. For there is a second girl in here. Julia who inherited Blackwood Manor and the expensive horse ranch. How is she related to Lilly? The answer was not what I had presumed at first but I did guess it before the book revealed the truth at the end.I also liked Julia. I liked how she found the bravery to stand up for the horses she suddenly found she had owned. Because Julia, like Lilly, also grew up with problems. She is like a fish out of water and doesn't know how to do most things. Because she wasn't allowed to learn when she was growing up. If you ever had overbearing controlling parents then you'll understand. But somehow Julia finds the strength inside herself to stand up for what she wants. And as she discovers the horrible secrets in her family's past..Even though the story is often dark I was totally hooked and I really enjoyed reading this.

This book, The Life She was Given, although well written, was extremely disturbing. The subjects, based on actual practices and events, came one after the other in the utmost gut wrenching, heartbreaking and gruesome segments. It’s clear the author had delved deeply into the topics she exposed in this book. Cruelty to children, to animals, to cringeworthy acts done through ignorance and greed. I’ve read many novels that focus on murder, serial killings, torture, war and violence. No apologies for the subject matter I choose. However, this book shocked and chilled me at times very difficult to continue reading. A supposed ‘saga of family and resilient women’ the contents were so brutal and horrific, the girls and women and the helpless animals portrayed had no chance to be resilient. Cannot recommend.

High interest, well written, pulled at my heart.

Fascinating book from the beginning! I loved the story line and the twist at the end. Excellent read.I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers.

I didn't like it, but for reasons other than the terrible reviews espoused by some reviewers, which I'll get to presently."The Life She Was Given" got off to a strong, very intriguing start, but for me, the strong start didn't last long. I didn't mind the constant switching back and forth between the Lilly and Julia chapters, but realized pretty early on where all this was going, and I can't imagine the author intended things to be that predictable. By the last 10% or so of the book, I was skimming and I couldn't even tell you why, because by that time, I didn't care what happened to either protagonist.I didn't find the writing to be memorable or interesting, and at times, I also found it somewhat sophomoric or geared more toward YA, as other reviewers have noted, with characters constantly asking themselves questions like "What could it be?" or "Where could that door go to?" or "Why did that person do that, and what will they do now?" in front of the reader.I suppose when you mix female protagonists who are outsiders, who are aspiring to independence or self discovery, particularly in eras different from the present, and then add ELEPHANTS to the bargain, people assume this *must* be an amazing book and that they must stampede toward glowing reviews, as if the Big Top itself (or at the very least, the Book Club) were on fire, and best head toward the main entrance because that's what everybody else at the circus is doing.**Spoiler Alert***That being said, I do not think it is right to malign a book because you personally do not like the subject matter -- be it love scenes that are too steamy for your taste or sensibilities; social questions you don't enjoy exploring; or, in the particular of this book, graphic scenes of animal abuse. Were I the author, I would be very much "over" the many low-starred reviews giving the book a low rating because those readers personally did not like the events described. As if fiction writers should apologize for what they write! Just say "it wasn't for me because of the animal subject matter," and leave it there -- rather than launching into a diatribe upon the writer for daring to write what she wanted to write, and you didn't like it.Further, those who suggest that the disturbing elephant scenes spring straight from the diabolical imagination of the author -- written only to offend you personally, it would appear -- are not familiar with the tragic history of circus elephants in America. If you go to Wikipedia and search for Mary the elephant, you will find the tragic end of the novel's Pepper laid out practically verbatim, although in real life some 40 or 50 years earlier than they take place in the book. The author changed names and a few minor circumstances, but the events are the same.While I can personally only give the book three stars because I found the writing dull, the length far too long, and the "Julia" chapters a bore, I give major, major props to the author for her obvious research and realistic handle on circus life in the early to mid 20th century, for both animals and people. She creates a look back at a world both fascinating and repellent.

The story was really well written. There are parts of this book that are triggering. It broke my heart , but like they say, if a book touches you, it was a good read.

Really enjoyed this writer. Never a boring moment. Sad story, but riveting.

This was a stunning book that brought you right into the story. I loved it so much i bought it for my mom who loves historical fiction and she loved as well. There was laughter and tears. A great read!!

So happy I came across this book. An effortless read, love the characters. The story is sad but also one with hope and strength.Highly recommend.

I found this book an emotional rollercoaster (no pun intended). It makes you wonder what the human race is coming to when you can treat children this way, who don’t fit into what we see as the norm.The idea that animals are animals and people know better is a great miss conception. Animals have way more moral compass than supposed intelligent beings.I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone, so will not go into the story itself but if you want an emotional story that makes you cry (as it did to me) give it a go. It’s a very well written novel that keeps you thinking long after you have read the final word.

How we treat each other is so important and this story brings this clearly into focus. I recommend this book to you.

This is a good read but I kept thinking parts were from books I had read years ago, like Flowers in the Attic and I guessed the fate of the elephant would be very much like Mary the elephant in America. It really held my interest but I also guessed how the relationship between Lilly and Julia would work out early on.

I had no expectations going into this book other than I am always looking for a good book about a circus. I quickly become invested in this compelling story for many more spectra than just the circus. Well written, some scenes were so graphic and traumatic that I almost felt sick. I haven't been so invested in a story in a long time, I would recommend to anyone looking for a well researched and complex story about a circus and troubled families.