"I'm
not special."
"Don't
you want to be?"
Micah
thought about it for minute. "Doesn't everybody?"
Grandpa
Ephraim chuckled. "I suppose. But some of us aren't brave enough to find
our specialness, and some of us make mistakes along the way." Page 223
This
is one of those holy smokes, that was a read! kind of book.
The
power in magical realism is that it brings the reader into a closer awareness
of the magic that bides in our everyday lives. Maybe it's not exactly the magic
we read about in books, but it's there none the less.
The
wonder that is Circus Mirandus, exists to help children find and believe in
magic. At the same time, it might just be this belief that sustains it. When
Micah's Grandpa Ephraim was young, he received an invitation to it. While he
was there, the Lightbender offered him a miracle. Instead of taking it then, he
asked if he could hold on to it. The Lightbender acquiesced.
If
you had one miracle, what would you ask for?
Now
that Grandpa Ephraim, is dying, he's written a letter requesting his miracle.
It's up to Micah to make sure the Lightbender keeps his promise. The only thing
is that it just might not be the miracle Micah thinks it is.
There
is just so much love in this book. The love between Grandpa Ephraim and Micah
is encapsulated in this conversation.
"I
like to think," he (Grandpa Ephraim) said slowly, "that I could go
one more time to Circus Mirandus. I like to think I have kept myself open
enough to magic for that. But even if I can, I don't want to."
"Why
not?"
.....
"Because
when you try too hard to hold on to something, you break it." ...
"Sometimes, we need to let go so that other people people can have their
chance at the magic." page 221
Great
Aunt Gertrudis, a stern woman, is visiting to look after Grandpa and Micah. She
does her best to squelch their belief in magic. It's like she is trying to
destroy the love between them at the same time.
Thankfully,
Micah has a new friend, Jenny, a smart girl who manages to be there for him
just when he needs her most. I love that because Micah believes, Jenny is ready
to accept what Micah tells her about Circus Mirandus. Then when Micah is ready
to give up, Jenny forces him to change his mind.
Micah
and Grandpa Ephraim share a talent for tying knots. This capacity is what ties
them together beyond a regular loving grandparent and grandchild relationship.
Micah's gift, however, just might be more profound. He is able to capture the
essence of an individual in his knots. When Micah gives Jenny a
"friendship bracelet" with his own story and memories, we know that
these two friends will be tied together across time and space no matter
what.
What
I liked about this book:
The
writing is exquisite. From the get go I was beguiled and entranced. Look at
this lead, "Four small words. That was all it took to set things in
motion."
These
characters are beautifully articulated. They are individuals you can believe
in. They are people you can't help but love. In spite of her harshness, I
couldn't help but feel sorry for Great Aunt Gertrudis. I kept wondering what
happened to her and if she could be redeemed in any way.
I
cried. This is what I want from a book, this kind of emotional investment that
brings me to tears. The thing about this book is that I was completely caught
off guard when it happened.
Diana
Sudya's illustrations are the perfect foil for the story. They accentuate the
glorious world that Beasley has manifested.
What
I didn't like about this book:
It
isn't long enough. Even at 292 pages, and a wholly satisfying ending, I wasn't
ready to let go of this world and these characters. I sure hope there is a
sequel or two.
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