--- product_id: 443395050 title: "Circus of Wonders: The Dazzling Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of The Doll Factory" price: "22212CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/443395050-circus-of-wonders-the-dazzling-sunday-times-bestseller-from-author store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # Victorian circus setting Fame reaches Queen Victoria Set in 1866 England Circus of Wonders: The Dazzling Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of The Doll Factory **Price:** 22212CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🎟️ Don’t just read history—live the dazzling drama of the Circus of Wonders! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Circus of Wonders: The Dazzling Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of The Doll Factory - **How much does it cost?** 22212CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/443395050-circus-of-wonders-the-dazzling-sunday-times-bestseller-from-author) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **A Story of Power & Identity:** Explore complex themes of fame, control, and belonging through the unforgettable journey of Nell, the Leopard Girl who defies societal norms. - • **Award-Worthy Literary Craft:** From Elizabeth Macneal, acclaimed author of The Doll Factory, comes a novel praised for its sensuous prose and emotional depth. - • **Bestseller with Social Buzz:** Join thousands of readers captivated by this Sunday Times bestseller, boasting over 1,500 reviews and a solid 4.2-star rating. - • **Multi-Perspective Narrative:** Experience the story through three distinct voices, offering deep insight into ambition, loyalty, and the cost of stardom. - • **Step into Victorian Spectacle:** Immerse yourself in the richly atmospheric world of a 19th-century travelling circus, where every page bursts with vivid historical detail. ## Overview Circus of Wonders is a Sunday Times bestselling historical novel set in 1866 Victorian England, following Nell, a birthmarked 'Leopard Girl' who rises to fame in Jasper Jupiter’s travelling circus. Combining immersive period detail with themes of identity, power, and belonging, Elizabeth Macneal crafts a multi-perspective narrative that has captivated over 1,500 readers and earned critical acclaim for its vivid storytelling and emotional complexity. ## Description Step right up for the most captivating read of the year . . . Filled with the sights and sounds of Victorian England, Circus of Wonders is the instant Sunday Times bestseller from Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory. ‘Intensely satisfying’ – Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars England, 1866. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in a coastal village, Nell soon catches the showman’s eye. Shunned by her community because of the birthmarks speckling her skin, to Jasper she is a prize – she could be his very own leopard girl. But how to make her his? Soon Nell finds herself the star of Jasper’s show. Suddenly she is famous. Crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. Even Queen Victoria wants to see her perform. But is Nell free to live and love as she chooses? And when her fame begins to eclipse Jasper’s own, could she be in danger? After all, the higher you fly, the steeper the fall . . . ‘Filled with character and life’ – The Times ‘Utterly beguiling’ – Daily Mail ‘Brilliantly involving’ – Daily Express ‘Exhilarating’ – Sunday Times, Books of the Year ‘An immersive gem’ – Red ‘Joyous, frightening, heartbreaking’ – Independent ‘Deliciously vivid’ – Woman & Home The Burial Plot , Elizabeth Macneal's cat-and-mouse thriller, is available now! Review: Dazzling exploration of identity, differences and power against a backdrop of a Victorian circus. - The Victorian’s penchant for physical ‘curiosities’ in the form of ‘freak shows’ underlies this richly atmospheric and utterly beguiling second novel of Elizabeth Macneal which takes a deep dive into the world of the travelling circus. An immersive delight from start to finish with three well-drawn central characters, each of whose perspective the reader gets to hear, Circus of Wonders also covers some surprisingly relevant themes. As the narrative baton is handed between all three key players, giving unprecedented insight into their hopes, dreams and regrets, the reader is drawn into the delicate balance of power that connects their fates, making for a narrative of quite extraordinary tension. Opening in a southern coastal town in 1866, Nell eeks out a living making candied violets alongside her brother. Marked out by the constellations of birthmarks that speckle her skin, she is either shunned by the locals or seen as a bad omen and does her best to remain invisible. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders comes to town with its megalomaniacal showman determined to acquire a pitch and storm London, Nell’s father sells her for £20 and her life changes in the blink of an eye. Initially furious at being torn away from the only life she knows, Nell is swiftly embraced by the other acts including maternal Stella the bearded lady and befriended by Jasper’s shy and sensitive brother, Toby. Earning more money in a week than a year in her old life, Nell soon discovers that she has found a home in the troupe where her difference is something to be revered rather than derided and a source of opportunities. With avaricious Jasper on a quest to get an audience with Queen Victoria he demands that all his curiosities have a skill and conjures up elaborate backstories for them. Jasper’s brainchild sees Nell become the Queen of Moon and Stars soaring on the high trapeze and she so dazzles her audiences that she is soon dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. But with Nell’s renown spreading and the undisputed draw of Jasper’s circus he demands more from her as she threatens to eclipse him and brushes aside her obvious disinterest in an attempt to own her completely. But just as Nell knows she can no longer go back to being invisible and her old life, there is a limit to how much of her life she is willing to give. Infuriated by Nell’s growing agency and suspicious of her obvious affection for Toby, power-crazed Jasper is set on a collision course with destruction as he sets out on a bid to cement his reputation. Both brothers are scarred from their experiences during the Crimean War and alongside the historical background of their complex dynamic their time amid the battlefields is woven throughout the narrative. With Jasper seduced by fighting alongside his wealthy pal, Dash, and guilt-ridden Toby embroiled in providing photographs that attest to a falsely positive vision of life on the frontline, the death of Dash lies between them. Having lived firmly in his older brother’s shadow and been edged out of their shared dream of owning a circus, first by Dash and then simply by Jasper’s own insatiable appetite for control, Toby’s unswerving loyalty faces its ultimate test with the arrival of Nell. Whilst I loved Macneal’s exploration of themes including identity, power, fame, it was primarily the complex and well-drawn trio of characters and the sensuous prose that made this novel such a magnificent read. Review: Intriguing and thought provoking - In 1866 Nell lives a small, secluded life isolated in her small English village because she is different. Nell was born with birthmarks all over her body, making her a 'freak' to others. The Jasper Jupiter Circus arrives in town and her life suddenly changes. Nell is kidnapped and sold by her father into indentured servitude to perform in the circus to pay his debts. Jasper showcases Nell as the Leopard Girl and her act incorporates flying on the high wires. Her reputation sores as high as her body and local papers call her the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Though Nell feels betrayed by her father, being successful and finding her circus family shows Nell that she can have a new life where she truly belongs. As her stardom grows, it starts to outshine Jasper's popularity and fame leading to dangerous jealousy on his part that could make him act against her to retain the limelight. Meanwhile, Nell falls in love with Toby, Jasper's quiet unassuming brother but they have to keep their feelings from Jasper as he would not approve. As their love develops, can Toby separate himself from the ties that bind him to Jasper? Will Toby uncover what Jasper thinks of him and will their relationship ever be the same again? What will Jasper do out of desperation when he realises that his main act wants to leave his circus and will his actions turn fatal to those around him as he strives to retain his money and fame? 🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was an interesting look at ownership of others and how loyalty to those you feel indebted to can crush your sense of self. Nell's story was heart-breaking in parts as she felt discarded and lonely while her only wish was to belong somewhere and be loved though she was thwarted by the selfish whims of the men who control her. The pacing felt slow in the beginning but overall it was an intriguing and thought-provoking look at the exploitation of people classed as strange and unusual by a society that was fascinated by the 'odd and grotesque' when in fact it was the audience who was the ugly aspect in the situation. ## Features - New Store Stock ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 173,941 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 1 in The Circus 135 in Victorian Historical Romance (Books) 4,494 in Literary Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,577 Reviews | ## Images ![Circus of Wonders: The Dazzling Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of The Doll Factory - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81WoDXy6wXL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dazzling exploration of identity, differences and power against a backdrop of a Victorian circus. *by R***D on 22 August 2021* The Victorian’s penchant for physical ‘curiosities’ in the form of ‘freak shows’ underlies this richly atmospheric and utterly beguiling second novel of Elizabeth Macneal which takes a deep dive into the world of the travelling circus. An immersive delight from start to finish with three well-drawn central characters, each of whose perspective the reader gets to hear, Circus of Wonders also covers some surprisingly relevant themes. As the narrative baton is handed between all three key players, giving unprecedented insight into their hopes, dreams and regrets, the reader is drawn into the delicate balance of power that connects their fates, making for a narrative of quite extraordinary tension. Opening in a southern coastal town in 1866, Nell eeks out a living making candied violets alongside her brother. Marked out by the constellations of birthmarks that speckle her skin, she is either shunned by the locals or seen as a bad omen and does her best to remain invisible. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders comes to town with its megalomaniacal showman determined to acquire a pitch and storm London, Nell’s father sells her for £20 and her life changes in the blink of an eye. Initially furious at being torn away from the only life she knows, Nell is swiftly embraced by the other acts including maternal Stella the bearded lady and befriended by Jasper’s shy and sensitive brother, Toby. Earning more money in a week than a year in her old life, Nell soon discovers that she has found a home in the troupe where her difference is something to be revered rather than derided and a source of opportunities. With avaricious Jasper on a quest to get an audience with Queen Victoria he demands that all his curiosities have a skill and conjures up elaborate backstories for them. Jasper’s brainchild sees Nell become the Queen of Moon and Stars soaring on the high trapeze and she so dazzles her audiences that she is soon dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. But with Nell’s renown spreading and the undisputed draw of Jasper’s circus he demands more from her as she threatens to eclipse him and brushes aside her obvious disinterest in an attempt to own her completely. But just as Nell knows she can no longer go back to being invisible and her old life, there is a limit to how much of her life she is willing to give. Infuriated by Nell’s growing agency and suspicious of her obvious affection for Toby, power-crazed Jasper is set on a collision course with destruction as he sets out on a bid to cement his reputation. Both brothers are scarred from their experiences during the Crimean War and alongside the historical background of their complex dynamic their time amid the battlefields is woven throughout the narrative. With Jasper seduced by fighting alongside his wealthy pal, Dash, and guilt-ridden Toby embroiled in providing photographs that attest to a falsely positive vision of life on the frontline, the death of Dash lies between them. Having lived firmly in his older brother’s shadow and been edged out of their shared dream of owning a circus, first by Dash and then simply by Jasper’s own insatiable appetite for control, Toby’s unswerving loyalty faces its ultimate test with the arrival of Nell. Whilst I loved Macneal’s exploration of themes including identity, power, fame, it was primarily the complex and well-drawn trio of characters and the sensuous prose that made this novel such a magnificent read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intriguing and thought provoking *by K***R on 25 July 2022* In 1866 Nell lives a small, secluded life isolated in her small English village because she is different. Nell was born with birthmarks all over her body, making her a 'freak' to others. The Jasper Jupiter Circus arrives in town and her life suddenly changes. Nell is kidnapped and sold by her father into indentured servitude to perform in the circus to pay his debts. Jasper showcases Nell as the Leopard Girl and her act incorporates flying on the high wires. Her reputation sores as high as her body and local papers call her the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Though Nell feels betrayed by her father, being successful and finding her circus family shows Nell that she can have a new life where she truly belongs. As her stardom grows, it starts to outshine Jasper's popularity and fame leading to dangerous jealousy on his part that could make him act against her to retain the limelight. Meanwhile, Nell falls in love with Toby, Jasper's quiet unassuming brother but they have to keep their feelings from Jasper as he would not approve. As their love develops, can Toby separate himself from the ties that bind him to Jasper? Will Toby uncover what Jasper thinks of him and will their relationship ever be the same again? What will Jasper do out of desperation when he realises that his main act wants to leave his circus and will his actions turn fatal to those around him as he strives to retain his money and fame? 🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was an interesting look at ownership of others and how loyalty to those you feel indebted to can crush your sense of self. Nell's story was heart-breaking in parts as she felt discarded and lonely while her only wish was to belong somewhere and be loved though she was thwarted by the selfish whims of the men who control her. The pacing felt slow in the beginning but overall it was an intriguing and thought-provoking look at the exploitation of people classed as strange and unusual by a society that was fascinated by the 'odd and grotesque' when in fact it was the audience who was the ugly aspect in the situation. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing author. *by S***N on 4 November 2025* Another absolutely amazing book from this author. Do yourself a favour and read this. I'm not going to spoil it, but I so hope there will be a sequel to this book. I need to know what happened after the end!! I also think the author would write a brilliant book based on the old music halls. Just an idea!! 😁 --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/443395050-circus-of-wonders-the-dazzling-sunday-times-bestseller-from-author](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/443395050-circus-of-wonders-the-dazzling-sunday-times-bestseller-from-author) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-10-03*