Review by SereneCharles -- Elastic Girl by Olivia Rana

[SereneCharles]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Elastic Girl" by Olivia Rana.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Born in India, Kallikuppam specifically, Muthu grew up believing she was cursed. Elastic Girl told the sad story of a young girl who passed through a series of unfortunate events in her life, believing she was to blame for them. As her grandmother always said, she was responsible for all the family’s misfortunes. As a result, she didn’t get as much love from her parents as did her two older siblings: Safa, and Belli. Dadi, as her father was called in the book, enrolled her in a circus because he felt she had a rare talent that they could harness and pay him for. They were destitute and needed money. So by sending Muthu away, he’d achieve two things: getting some cash, and making his mother happy, as the latter wanted Muthu out of the house. Muthu grew up in the circus, going through many rough times and ugly experiences. She believed she brought them to herself, but did she? She had some secrets to find out that would change her life forever. At the same time, she had to be strong after knowing those once hidden truths.

Elastic Girl had me completely emotional until the end. Seeing a young girl go through a lot of disheartening experiences made me think about how bad the world has grown. Even though it is fiction, Olivia Rana, the author, told a story that happens in real life. She painted a different angle of human trafficking that people easily don't see. It made me think about the circus and how I enjoy watching their shows, yet not knowing that some could be there against their will. I felt pity for circus characters, Muthu and Gloria especially.

I learned a lot about the circus: what is involved in living a circus life, and how difficult it can be to become a star as a circus performer. A lot of strenuous pieces of training have to be done every day and for many hours a day to perform a good show. I wasn’t happy to learn of how the animals were uncared for and even starved, yet expected to perform their best. It changed my thinking of the circus. The author did a good job painting vivid mental images of the characters and their lives as if one was watching the story happen before them. I learned many things about India and their culture; what they call mother and father in their language- Amma and Dadi -and some other terms unfamiliar to me before. It felt like I went to the country itself.

Elastic Girl was professionally edited as I found very few errors in it. Olivia wrote the story in such a way that you would understand the message she was trying to pass. I found the themes, injustice and abuse easily portrayed in the book. It is a book for all to read, but I'd recommend it mostly to young ones who are being abused in one way or another. I’d also recommend it to those who are battling the effects of previous sexual abuse and human trafficking.

I enjoyed everything about the book. I’d like to have a hard copy of it for my children and nieces when they are of age because I believe it’d give them courage when they need it. From my heart, I give Elastic Girl 4 out of 4 stars. Everyone who have read it should too.

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Elastic Girl
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Like SereneCharles's review? Post a comment saying so!

[kfwilson6]

This sounds like a very unique story with so much to learn. What a wonderful review. I'm glad you enjoyed this so much and your enjoyment of it really shines through in your writing.

[SereneCharles]

This sounds like a very unique story with so much to learn. What a wonderful review. I'm glad you enjoyed this so much and your enjoyment of it really shines through in your writing.

Thanks kfwilson6. I did enjoy reading it a lot. I'm happy I was privileged to review it.

[meadhbh]

I think people sometimes have a very idealised vision of circus life, especially with the whole 'run away with the circus' fantasy. It's great that this shows a more realistic view of what it is actually like.

[SereneCharles]

I think people sometimes have a very idealised vision of circus life, especially with the whole 'run away with the circus' fantasy. It's great that this shows a more realistic view of what it is actually like.

Thanks dear. I'm ever most grateful to Olivia Rana for this eye-opening write-up.

[Abigail R]

I loved this book and I am loving reading other's thoughts on it. I was fascinated by Olivia Rana's description of the circus and all the ugly parts of it. I grew up hearing about the mistreatment of the animals in circuses but I heard very little about mistreatment of people. I was grateful for this take of the circus and for her ability to effectively shed light on the major issue of trafficking.

Thank you for your thoughtful review! I am glad that others have enjoyed it as much as I have!

If you're interested, here is my own review of Elastic Girl:
viewtopic.php?f=114&t=77601

[Italiansweety1982]

I just read this book. A good read, well written, but some parts were hard to get thru.