The Circus- Life She Was Given and Palmiers

 I'm so far behind on posting reviews!   I've been reading a ton but just not stopping to post anything.  My goal/promise this year was to post more often so i want to keep that promise. 

My book group read The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman.  I was excited for this book because i do have a love for the circus.  Not necessarily the animal acts ( which make me feel bad for the animals) but the costumes and the history or legend of the sideshows.  I know that sideshows are totally inappropriate now but we would never stand for putting people on display this way but it makes for good storytelling.   I wanted to love this book for all of those reasons but I didn't.  I liked it and it was a fairly easy read.  But, there felt like some gaps in the story. 

what I liked-  The theme of the traveling circus, the sideshow, the atmosphere.  And I also liked the storytelling technique she used on going back in forth on time periods.   Half of the story is about Lilly who is sold off to the circus and builds a life there.  The other half jumps forward 20+ years and it is told from Julia's point of view.  Julia inherits her parents house after their death and goes back there to start uncovering secrets. 

That might be it for the likes.   

What I didn't like was that it didn't feel plausible.  The whole locked in the attic for the first 10 years and then she is still fairly normal seemed odd.  I didn't like the animal abuse.  I know circus stories often have this as a theme but it is hard to read.  I also felt like about 3/4 way through the book the author decided she needed to wrap up the story and rushed the ending.     Also, hated both of the parents.   

I'm giving this  3 stars but it might just barely hit that rating.  I think there are better circus stories out there to read if that is your goal.  A few I'd start with are -  Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen or the Autobiography of Mrs Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. 

What was worth doing was thinking about the fun things i could eat with this!   I was at my sisters the week after finishing the book and she had the most amazing tablecloth and dishes that had circus themed.  Of course i had to use them for photos.  Her husband happen to pick up some corn dog snacks for us so we did a quick photo shoot.   When i got home I made Palmiers which is like an Elephant Ear but smaller and fancier! 

Palmiers are so easy to make and everyone thinks they were difficult because of how good they taste.  

Here is all you need; 

1 sheet of puff pastry , thawed 

3/4-1 cup of sugar 

a pinch of salt 

At the pinch of salt to the sugar.   Pour half of the sugar on a flat surface and roll out your puff pastry.  Spread the remaining sugar on top of the puff pastry.  Roll it out till you have ~13X13 inch square.  It's okay if it's not perfect.  this is where it gets a little tricky .  Fold over the edges towards the middle.  Fold them again until they meet .  Fold one more time.  You should have 6 layers. 

Slice into 3/8 inch slices and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Heat oven to 450.  Bake for 6-7 minutes and then flip the cookies over and bake for another 5 minutes.   The baking is the only tricky part.  You want them to look caramelized.  If they don't, leave them in.    

that's it.  Enjoy.