I am pretty angry with myself for not picking up one of Jennifer McMahon's books earlier in life. She writes beautiful, complex, fascinating characters, and she seems to just get better and better with every novel. 
 Prudence Small and Mr. Marcelle are going to live in my heart forever. The fat lady, the strongman, and their amazing circus . . . when they first appeared, I had no idea how they could possibly fit into this story -- but they do, and they might be the best part. The rest of it is all beautifully done, but this particular aspect was just perfect.