The Life She Was Given Audiobook By Ellen Marie Wiseman cover art

The Life She Was Given

Preview
Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Life She Was Given

By: Ellen Marie Wiseman
Narrated by: Lori Gardner
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

From acclaimed author Ellen Marie Wiseman comes a vivid, daring novel about the devastating power of family secrets - beginning in the poignant, lurid world of a Depression-era traveling circus and coming full circle in the transformative 1950s.

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, 19-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 ragtag, 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' 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's 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.

©2017 Ellen Marie Wiseman (P)2017 Recorded Books
Coming of Age Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Psychological Tearjerking
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup
Captivating Storyline • Unexpected Plot Twists • Engaging Character Voices • Emotional Depth • Unique Premise
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
Such a great story, it was hard to put it down to get things done!

Great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Another enjoyable two timeframe book, which I really like, but this one just didn’t have the depth as the recent ones that I have read. The controversial matter seemed well researched and was presented well, but I don’t think it will linger in my mind as much as ‘Before We Were Yours’, ‘The Address’, and ‘The Dollhouse’. Unlike a few of my friends, I actually liked the behind the scenes look at the circus. I didn’t like the behavior of a few of the characters, but I figure it wasn’t uncommon in those circles.
Overall, this is a book worth reading.

Worth the listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I felt like it was well written and that the story line we interesting, I enjoyed

Fantastic Read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

What did you love best about The Life She Was Given?

The historical placement of this story and the world behind the scenes of the lives that made the circus.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it was woven between the two generations first perspective.

What does Lori Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The diversity of the the characters.

If you could take any character from The Life She Was Given out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lilly because she had a deep understanding of her strength and what was worth fighting for.

A Delightful Visit to the back side of the Circus

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The story was well written, though it felt slow at times. The narrator was good. I was occasionally distracted by words I would consider mispronounced, but she was consistent so it is likely a regional pronounciation.

Well written

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

loved this book did not want to put it down, I cant imagine being in Lily's place. Going to be one I re-listen to soon!!!!

heartbreakingly sad and beautiful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Loved this story! It was well written and interesting. The 2 main characters were real. the story took turns i didn't see coming. I recomend this one!

Engaging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

My only complaint about the story is that the author use the word said to many times.

Said

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I loved the character development and the story kept me listening but parts of it are a bit cliche…

Enjoyable story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

All her books are just unbelievable. Love them all.
She always has that surprising ending. You never expect it.

The best.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews