Download Among the Wonderful: A Novel Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I *loved* this book--it's beautiful, careful writing, the characters of Ana and G., as well as the character of nineteenth-century New York City. Stacy did an amazing job structuring the book around two and sometimes three (the tribesman) distinct narrative voices. Both the main characters are wonderful observers, and they guide us through the world of nineteenth-century taxidermy as well as the living exhibits of Barnum's American museum (pre-circus). I'm so impressed with the tightness of the narrative, the way that things build toward the climax, almost without our awareness. "

" A member of my bookclub, Stacy Carlson, has been published, and her book is out now. In it, the giantess is a complicated woman trying not to look down; the taxidermist is a hoot, stitching together his own past. The tenants of PT Barnum's museum suffer a warped worldview, and figure out how to cure each other of alienation and disharmony, never knowing where the spectacle becomes the audience, or the audience becomes the spectacle. I could say more, but I wouldn't want to spoil it. Get to the end yourself! "

" I loved this book. It was told from the two points of view: one, a giantess (Anastasia) that P. T. Barnum "recruits" to be a part of his American Museum in New York City in the 1840s, the second a taxidermist who worked in the Natural History Museum that was housed in the building prior to Barnum taking it over for the American Museum. The author really gets into Anastasia's head to express what it's like to be different in society and the voyeurism that keeps the American Museum packed with people. The taxidermist, Guillaudeu, worked for the building's previous owner for many years and struggles with the drastic changes that Barnum is making to the museum. Guillaudeu is methodical and into the classification of things according to Linneus's system. Barnum defies classification and Guillaudeu is in strong conflict with this. He begins to soften. "

" A wonderful story, a little slow-paced but compelling. "

" I was fascinated by this historic fiction, based on mid-19th century New York City & the "wonders" of PT Barnum. Now, I feel obligated to fact check on the kaleidoscope of characters, settings and details the author introduces. "

" I gave this a good try by reading through 30% of it before laying in aside. There are too many good reads out there to waste more time on this one. "

" No so wonderful. Set against the backdrop of the Barnum Museum in NYC it offerred neither history or depth of character development. Disappointing. Actually I could't wait for it to be over. I kept expecting it to pick up and to engage me more. "

" I loved the historical setting of this novel. The 19th century, New York city teetering on the brink of modernity. The character of Anna the giantess is so well written and insightful. A real pleasure to read! "

" Interesting story about Barnum's collection of oddities narrated by the giantess and the taxidermist. 'Could have been really intriguing, but found the story less than engaging... "

" I'm disappointed -- I expected a lot more from the author around this excellent plot line.It's like she got hung up in the set up and never really got to the story I anticipated. "

" I really liked it, hope to see more by this author. "

" I wish I could give this one 3.5 stars--some sections I really enjoyed, and some I felt moved too slowly. Interesting perspectives. "

" Really well written, interesting subject...not my type of book. I could see this being very popular as a book discussion pick. "

" This book isn't so much plot-driven, as it is a snapshot of three different perspectives of those making their homes at Barnum's 19th century American Museum. The characters are well-developed, and fed my fascination of sideshow culture. "

" A well-written and compelling story. I liked the seeming lack of direction, and the attention to daily life among the wonderful. "

" Probably more like 3.5* but I could not go 4 on it. It was an interesting look inside the world of Barnum's Museum in NY. "

" Probably more like 3.5* but I could not go 4 on it. It was an interesting look inside the world of Barnum's Museum in NY. "

" Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I liked the parts about the professional giantess more than the parts about the unhappy taxidermist. "

" I'm reviewing this book in an upcoming issue of Historical Novels Review. After it appears there, I will post it here. "

" I didnt love this book as much as I wanted to. There were parts that I loved and couldnt put it down and then there would be bits where I wanted to skip ahead.

Some excellent characters, I loved the premise - overall it was good but not one I will re-read.
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" I loved the historical setting of this novel. The 19th century, New York city teetering on the brink of modernity. The character of Anna the giantess is so well written and insightful. A real pleasure to read! "