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 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 Fiction Historical Fiction Psychological Carnival Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Tearjerking
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Life She Was Given

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    863
  • 4 Stars
    345
  • 3 Stars
    171
  • 2 Stars
    64
  • 1 Stars
    53
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    892
  • 4 Stars
    270
  • 3 Stars
    115
  • 2 Stars
    52
  • 1 Stars
    32
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    779
  • 4 Stars
    307
  • 3 Stars
    144
  • 2 Stars
    65
  • 1 Stars
    67

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good book but hard to read at times!

The book is well written but the story is very hard to hear/read. It is a reflection of how cruel humans can be,not only to animals but to humans. It is definitely a page turner and a reminder that we all have a limited amount of time here on earth and that it is very precious.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

It was a good storyline

I enjoyed the main characters & the story itself. The animal treatment was pretty hard to take but I know in a period piece it’s not uncommon. The characters in the story were compelling however things did get somewhat predictable as it developed. Overall I enjoyed listening.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Struggle

This book is a great story, touching, tear-jerking at times and exhilarating at other times. #Thankful #GreatStory #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great story

So far, have not read one book I did not love by Ellen Wiseman. All her stories are on different matter, but are always excellent. Each one is better than the last.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Trigger Alert

A gripping story, but readers beware, a main character (female) lives a long life riddled with trauma from birth to death - often described in detail.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, easy read.

Somewhat what I expected of the story but with a nice little surprise twist at the end.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Excellent story with surprises, heartaches and betrayals. Don't miss this fantastic read - worth your time.....

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable

Enjoyable quick read that I couldn’t put down. I will check out more books by this author.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Can't believe the negative reviews. I loved it!!

Well written, great story, a great read!!! give it a chance. One of my favorites on Audible originals to date.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I read a lot and it has to be good to keep my attention. Beautiful read.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!