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Ellen Marie Wiseman
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The Life She Was Given: A Moving and Emotional Saga of Family and Resilient Women Kindle Edition

by Ellen Marie Wiseman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 14,986 ratings
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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 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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  1. Print length
    370 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Kensington Books
  5. Publication date
    July 25, 2017
  6. File size
    6119 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A can’t-put-it-down novel of family secrets involving two young girls who only seek to be loved. Perfect for book clubs and readers who admired Sara Gruen’s Like Water for Elephants.”
—Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“A vibrant maze of desires. The sharp divide between expectations and painful truths, mothers and daughters, past and present, culminate in a sensational finale.”
—ForeWord Reviews

“Wiseman has created two equally compelling story lines that gradually reveal the commonalities between them. This well-crafted novel provides rewards throughout.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Ellen Marie Wiseman is noted for capturing little known pockets of American life and depicting them with heart and insight; her latest novel may be her most harrowing yet . . . The author’s in-depth knowledge of traveling circuses and “freak shows” of the era is evident. The novel seamlessly blends mystery and history with compelling and well-researched details. The two women in the book, though separated by time, demonstrate resilience in the face of despair. Thematic elements include religious extremism; the many forms of love; and strength under adverse circumstances.”
—The Historical Novels Review

“Wiseman excels at creating an atmosphere . . . Her characters are all vividly drawn and complex, especially Lilly’s abusive mother, Coralline. But at the heart of Wiseman’s tale of loss and redemption are Lilly and Julia, connected in spirit by their determination to overcome years of pain and sorrow. Fans of Karen White and Sara Gruen will be drawn in by the drama and mystery of Wiseman’s novel.” —BookPage

About the Author

Ellen Marie Wiseman is the author of the novels The Plum Tree, What She Left Behind, and Coal River. Born and raised in Three Mile Bay, a tiny hamlet in northern New York, Ellen now lives on the shores of Lake Ontario with her husband, two spoiled shih-tzus, and a rescued yellow Lab. She loves to cook, travel, garden, watch movies, and spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M2B7EVP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Books (July 25, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 25, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6119 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 14,986 ratings

About the author

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Ellen Marie Wiseman

Ellen Marie Wiseman

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A first-generation German American, Ellen Marie Wiseman discovered her love of reading and writing while attending first grade in one of the last one-room schoolhouses in NYS. She is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into twenty languages. Her debut novel, THE PLUM TREE, is loosely based on her mother’s stories about growing up in Germany during the chaos of WWII. Bookbub named THE PLUM TREE One of Thirteen Books To Read if You Loved ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE. Ellen’s second novel, WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND, was named a Huffington Post Best Books of Summer 2015. Her third novel, COAL RIVER, was called "one of the most "unputdownable" books of 2015" by The Historical Novel Review. THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN, was named A GREAT GROUP READS Selection of the Women’s National Book Association and National Reading Group Month and a Goodreads Best Book of the Month. THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR was an instant New York Times Bestseller. Ellen lives on the shores of Lake Ontario with her husband and a spoiled Shih-tzu named Izzy. When she’s not busy writing, she loves spending time with her children and grandchildren. Find Ellen on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/EllenMarieWisemanAuthor

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
14,986 global ratings
Best I've read in quite some time.
5 Stars
Best I've read in quite some time.
From the first page, I was hooked.The woven story lines between Lily and Julia was done so very well.Best I've read in quite some time.
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Top reviews from the United States

Sarah B
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Well Written Powerful Story of the Secret Horrors of Blackwood Manor
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
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.
6 people found this helpful
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Cindy Adair
4.0 out of 5 stars rating a 4.5
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
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This was a difficult and beautiful book all at the same time. It is the story of Lily, abused, neglected, and sold to the circus by her mother and Julia, a woman who inherits Lily’s parents’ manor and horse farm. Chapters alternate between the two women slowly unfolding the story. I must say I was captivated and eager to see how the two stories crossed. There were some difficult scenes to read because the author made you feel like you were right there. As a reader I felt the helplessness in certain situations, but I also felt the love in other situations. I wanted to give it 5 stars, but there were some loose ends that I wanted answers for. But overall, this is a story of survival, resilience, and hope and definitely worth the read!
5 people found this helpful
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Jamie
5.0 out of 5 stars wow!
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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This book took me a while to get into. Not because of the story but because of the time
I didn’t have to read it. Then I took some
Time and wow… what an incredible and sorrowful story. There are pieces of Water For Elephants and The Greatest Showman. Highly recommend.
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Lynne
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Brilliant Book by Wiseman
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
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Wiseman is an incredibly talented author. I devoured this book as well as the others she has written, all in a matter of weeks. She is my new favorite author, and I highly recommend her work to anyone interested. This particular story is so original, it amazed me how Wiseman even came up with the idea about a beautiful albino being sold to a circus.
One person found this helpful
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Ga303
3.0 out of 5 stars If you don't like it, just say "not for me."
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
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.
52 people found this helpful
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Cynthia G. Allen
4.0 out of 5 stars A tear jerker for sure
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
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I’d love to give this book 5 stars, but I have to add the depressing element, which pretty much is from page one to the last. Geesh! I’m ok with sadness in any book, but this one reeked with depression. So, I couldn’t put it down, her writing is excellent and I couldn’t get to the next page fast enough. But if you’re not into depressing stories, do not read this book. I’m worried about reading any more of her books because of all the sadness.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful emotion filled book
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2022
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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.
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Valerie
5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2021
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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.
2 people found this helpful
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Heather Howard
4.0 out of 5 stars A sad tale!
Reviewed in Australia on January 26, 2021
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How we treat each other is so important and this story brings this clearly into focus. I recommend this book to you.
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Susan
4.0 out of 5 stars Good but parts were reminiscent of other books
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
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.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Raw and powerful
Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2021
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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.
2 people found this helpful
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