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Love in the Elephant Tent: How Running Away with the Circus Brought Me Home
NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL WINNER, 2016 IPPY Awards for Memoir
Imagine My Big Fat Greek Wedding crashing into Eat Pray Love on the set of Water for Elephants. This romantic, coming-of-age adventure is an intimate portrayal of young love, where Kathleen and Stefano learn to navigate their cultural differences, shed youthful concepts of romance, and form a life-long bond.
"Kathleen’s journey toward self-discovery is enthralling ... the descriptions of life in the circus, the animals, and the spectacle put on every night vividly take readers into the experience."
Publishers Weekly
Kathleen Cremonesi knew early on she wanted to be different. Determined to avoid following in her mother’s footsteps to an ill-fated marriage, Kathleen left Oregon in her early 20s to travel across Europe. On a whim, this former administrative assistant with wanderlust took a job as a dancer in an Italian circus and, working her way up, became an ostrich-riding, shark-taming showgirl.
Kathleen bonds with the exotic animals that could strike and kill at any moment, but instead bring her a peace she has never known. And when she stumbles into the arms of Stefano, the sexy elephant keeper, she finds a man who understands her wild spirit.
With thrilling prose and vivid descriptions, Kathleen takes the reader around the Mediterranean, where she discovers unexpected friends and learns how to cook, forgive, and love — across language barriers.
Imagine My Big Fat Greek Wedding crashing into Eat Pray Love on the set of Water for Elephants. This romantic, coming-of-age adventure is an intimate portrayal of young love, where Kathleen and Stefano learn to navigate their cultural differences, shed youthful concepts of romance, and form a life-long bond.
"Kathleen’s journey toward self-discovery is enthralling ... the descriptions of life in the circus, the animals, and the spectacle put on every night vividly take readers into the experience."
Publishers Weekly
Kathleen Cremonesi knew early on she wanted to be different. Determined to avoid following in her mother’s footsteps to an ill-fated marriage, Kathleen left Oregon in her early 20s to travel across Europe. On a whim, this former administrative assistant with wanderlust took a job as a dancer in an Italian circus and, working her way up, became an ostrich-riding, shark-taming showgirl.
Kathleen bonds with the exotic animals that could strike and kill at any moment, but instead bring her a peace she has never known. And when she stumbles into the arms of Stefano, the sexy elephant keeper, she finds a man who understands her wild spirit.
With thrilling prose and vivid descriptions, Kathleen takes the reader around the Mediterranean, where she discovers unexpected friends and learns how to cook, forgive, and love — across language barriers.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2015
12 people are currently reading
1104 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Cremonesi
1 book14 followers Kathleen Cremonesi took a circuitous route to finding her place in the world. In lieu of college, she traveled America’s blue highways in a VW bus while following the Grateful Dead. When ready for a new adventure, she flew off to Europe, where she accidentally joined a circus, fell in love with the Italian elephant keeper, and became an ostrich-riding, shark-taming showgirl while traveling around the Mediterranean.
Soon after returning to the US, Kathleen and her husband realized their five wooded acres near Eugene, Oregon, were achingly small to fulfill their fantasy of rescuing elephants ( Click here to learn more about supporting elephant sanctuaries), so they settled for a family of cats and dogs. Kathleen currently volunteers at a local animal shelter.
She expresses her creativity through woodworking, leather craft, and ceramic arts. When not at work on her latest project, she enjoys traveling the world, growing her own food, and sharing good wine and great meals with family and friends.
Soon after returning to the US, Kathleen and her husband realized their five wooded acres near Eugene, Oregon, were achingly small to fulfill their fantasy of rescuing elephants ( Click here to learn more about supporting elephant sanctuaries), so they settled for a family of cats and dogs. Kathleen currently volunteers at a local animal shelter.
She expresses her creativity through woodworking, leather craft, and ceramic arts. When not at work on her latest project, she enjoys traveling the world, growing her own food, and sharing good wine and great meals with family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 14, 2015
Such a great, fun romantic coming of age circus adventure! Even though you pretty much know how it's all going to work out just from looking at the pictures and reading about the author (and interviews with Kathleen) I still couldn't stop reading and couldn't wait to find out how it all works out. I loved the international journey, the immersion in Italian culture and circus culture and even cooking. Kathleen and Stefano's true love for the animals doesn't whitewash the realities of the harsh life for circus animals. I love knowing that some of the proceeds from this book go to help the animals.
September 8, 2015
As a young women, Kathleen Cremonesi, decided she did not want to end up like her mother, in a failed marriage and working very hard to make ends meet. So she left Oregon, and the wing of an old motel where her family lived, and head to California to go to college. That only lasted until she began following the band Grateful Dead and criss crossing the states. Eventually she worked for three months in a bank to earn enough money to buy an open ended ticket to Amsterdam. Once there she eventually found herself joining a circus to earn money. She worked as a dancer, a cook, swam in the shark tank and rode elephants. The very first day she was with the circus she met a young man named Stefano who took care of the circus elephants. The two immediately clicked! This wonderful book is a story of their romantic life and their times in the circus. It is also a book about the lives of elephants in the circus - unhappy lives. Kathleen has had a most interesting and adventuresome life!
I was very intrigued to read about the lives of people in circuses, especially overseas.
I was very intrigued to read about the lives of people in circuses, especially overseas.
June 15, 2015
Who hasn't dreamed of running away and joining the circus? Kathleen Cremonesi didn't just run away with the circus, but she did it in Europe. When I saw her memoir, Love in the Elephant Tent, on NetGalley, I just had to read it. Thank You to ECW Press for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT - Set during the 1990's, Love in the Elephant Tent is the memoirs of Kathleen Cremonesi, an American, who spent her twenties traveling around Europe. Free-spirited Cremonesi found an opportunity to join a circus troupe in Italy, working as a dancing girl. While with the circus, she fell in love with Stefano, an elephant keeper. As her love for Stefano deepens, Cremonesi finds herself become immersed in circus life and Italian culture, causing her to lose herself in this temporary life-style.
LIKE - The best parts of Cremonesi's memoir are the ones that focus on her life in the circus. Beyond dancing, Cremonesi rode an ostrich, swam with sharks and befriended a shy giraffe. The animal lover in me, connected with the animal lovers in Cremonesi and Stefano. I felt for them in their dilemma of wanting to stay to care for these animals, even though they felt having the animals perform in the circus was wrong. This story is strong with ethical vs emotional content. Having both the circus and Europe as backdrops, fills this memoir with many layers. Cremonesi struggles as an outsider in this strange world. I loved getting a backstage view of this unique lifestyle.
DISLIKE - More than an adventure story, this is a love story. Cremonesi struggles with her love for Stefano, as their cultures and communication styles often clash. Although the love story is important, I found that it took up too much weight in this book. I was far less interested in Stefano, than I was in the world of the circus. I couldn't understand her love for him, until late in the book. It was distancing.
RECOMMEND - Yes. Love in the Elephant Tent is for anyone with wanderlust. If you've dreamed of running away with the circus, Cremonesi's story will speak to you. On a side note, if you love animals, especially elephants, a percentage of the proceeds from this book are going to elephant rescue groups. That's just cool!
Check out the blog tour...I'm the first stop.
une 15, 2015: Review and Giveaway, Always Packed for Adventure (http://www.alwayspackedforadventure.com/).
June 17, 2015: Review and Excerpt, Book Bug (http://bookbug2012.wordpress.com).
June 18, 2015: Review and Q+A, The Book Binder’s Daughter (http://thebookbindersdaughter.com).
June 19, 2015: Review, Excerpt and Giveaway, Caffeine and Books (https://caffeineandbooks42.wordpress....).
June 22, 2015: Review and Excerpt, Fictional Real World (http://www.fictionalrealworld.blogspo...).
June 24, 2015: Review and Photos, We Peas Read (https://wepeasread.wordpress.com/revi...).
June 26, 2015: Review and Q+A, Bibliotica (http://bibliotica.com).
PLOT - Set during the 1990's, Love in the Elephant Tent is the memoirs of Kathleen Cremonesi, an American, who spent her twenties traveling around Europe. Free-spirited Cremonesi found an opportunity to join a circus troupe in Italy, working as a dancing girl. While with the circus, she fell in love with Stefano, an elephant keeper. As her love for Stefano deepens, Cremonesi finds herself become immersed in circus life and Italian culture, causing her to lose herself in this temporary life-style.
LIKE - The best parts of Cremonesi's memoir are the ones that focus on her life in the circus. Beyond dancing, Cremonesi rode an ostrich, swam with sharks and befriended a shy giraffe. The animal lover in me, connected with the animal lovers in Cremonesi and Stefano. I felt for them in their dilemma of wanting to stay to care for these animals, even though they felt having the animals perform in the circus was wrong. This story is strong with ethical vs emotional content. Having both the circus and Europe as backdrops, fills this memoir with many layers. Cremonesi struggles as an outsider in this strange world. I loved getting a backstage view of this unique lifestyle.
DISLIKE - More than an adventure story, this is a love story. Cremonesi struggles with her love for Stefano, as their cultures and communication styles often clash. Although the love story is important, I found that it took up too much weight in this book. I was far less interested in Stefano, than I was in the world of the circus. I couldn't understand her love for him, until late in the book. It was distancing.
RECOMMEND - Yes. Love in the Elephant Tent is for anyone with wanderlust. If you've dreamed of running away with the circus, Cremonesi's story will speak to you. On a side note, if you love animals, especially elephants, a percentage of the proceeds from this book are going to elephant rescue groups. That's just cool!
Check out the blog tour...I'm the first stop.
une 15, 2015: Review and Giveaway, Always Packed for Adventure (http://www.alwayspackedforadventure.com/).
June 17, 2015: Review and Excerpt, Book Bug (http://bookbug2012.wordpress.com).
June 18, 2015: Review and Q+A, The Book Binder’s Daughter (http://thebookbindersdaughter.com).
June 19, 2015: Review, Excerpt and Giveaway, Caffeine and Books (https://caffeineandbooks42.wordpress....).
June 22, 2015: Review and Excerpt, Fictional Real World (http://www.fictionalrealworld.blogspo...).
June 24, 2015: Review and Photos, We Peas Read (https://wepeasread.wordpress.com/revi...).
June 26, 2015: Review and Q+A, Bibliotica (http://bibliotica.com).
November 15, 2015
I simply loved Love in the Elephant Tent, Kathleen Cremonesi’s story of running away to join a circus in her early twenties. There she encounters the frenetic and energetic elephant keeper, the Italian Stefano, worlds away from her own culture, and she learns to ride an ostrich, stick on the glitter and perform for all she’s worth. This is an inside look at the world of the circus though, a glimpse behind the illusion, where animals are sometimes beaten and abused, and some of the most wrenching passages concern the abuse of Stefano’s beloved elephants at the hands of others.
Life in the circus is often lived on the edge of poverty and survival. Early on Stefano tells Kathleen: “The circus gives her people just enough shelter for them to think is better than the outside world. Just enough food to keep the starvation away. Just enough money for drink that they forget they are caged like animals.”
But while showing a behind the scenes look at life in a circus, the story is balanced by plenty of wit and humour. It is also a poignant exploration of love, what it means to love a man who is married to the circus, and what it means to love, full stop: “Falling in love had been the easy part,” she writes, “Although I understood that compromise could save a relationship, I did not yet comprehend that finding that shared existence can also save one’s spirit.” This is about how to go on, despite the differences, and how to save yourself through that love. You have to be strong and brave to love, in the end. Highly recommended.
Life in the circus is often lived on the edge of poverty and survival. Early on Stefano tells Kathleen: “The circus gives her people just enough shelter for them to think is better than the outside world. Just enough food to keep the starvation away. Just enough money for drink that they forget they are caged like animals.”
But while showing a behind the scenes look at life in a circus, the story is balanced by plenty of wit and humour. It is also a poignant exploration of love, what it means to love a man who is married to the circus, and what it means to love, full stop: “Falling in love had been the easy part,” she writes, “Although I understood that compromise could save a relationship, I did not yet comprehend that finding that shared existence can also save one’s spirit.” This is about how to go on, despite the differences, and how to save yourself through that love. You have to be strong and brave to love, in the end. Highly recommended.
July 15, 2015
I'm a memoir fanatic—especially ones that include a true love story and show me a lifestyle I've never even dreamed for myself. In Love in the Elephant Tent, Kathleen does both of these. She leaves home to end up doing various circus jobs and falls in love with a handsome elephant trainer. What I liked most was her adventuresome spirit. When the circus offered her the opportunity to ride an ostrich or elephant or swim with sharks, she never said no. I've always felt I have gypsy blood in me and could go anywhere, anytime, but Kathleen actually lives out her dreams of seeing the world. I was intrigued with the circus lifestyle and the places she traveled. There were times I could not put the book down and turn out the lights to go to sleep. I'd tell myself, just one more chapter, just one more.
The scenes in the book were beautifully written and did a great job (for me) of letting me experience the circus from her perspective. If you like to travel vicariously through someone else's eyes, or want to know more about circus life, or if you enjoy reading about love, this book will definitely be for you.
The scenes in the book were beautifully written and did a great job (for me) of letting me experience the circus from her perspective. If you like to travel vicariously through someone else's eyes, or want to know more about circus life, or if you enjoy reading about love, this book will definitely be for you.
November 6, 2015
This memoir was a natural for me to select to read after reading the following books:
1. "Elephant Company; the inspiring story of an unlikely hero and the animals who helped him save lives in World War II" by Vicki Croke.
2. Water for elephants by Sara Gruen
3. Circus Shoes by Noel Streatfield
4. The Italians by John Hooper
WHY? Because this book incorporates a story of circuses, Italian Culture, and a love of elephants into a true surprisingly believable biography of a twenty-something gal who left the US to try adventure and love while living in a circus. Kathleen kept a journal while there. I suspect that gave her the details to reconstruct her daily life with the young male Italian who cared for elephants. What is amazing is how she shows us her growing understanding of what it takes to enter the responsible world of an adult.
I relished almost every sentence in this book for I could feel the escape to a different world and the challenges it gave. Read it and those I mentioned above too. They are a good mix of fiction and fact.
1. "Elephant Company; the inspiring story of an unlikely hero and the animals who helped him save lives in World War II" by Vicki Croke.
2. Water for elephants by Sara Gruen
3. Circus Shoes by Noel Streatfield
4. The Italians by John Hooper
WHY? Because this book incorporates a story of circuses, Italian Culture, and a love of elephants into a true surprisingly believable biography of a twenty-something gal who left the US to try adventure and love while living in a circus. Kathleen kept a journal while there. I suspect that gave her the details to reconstruct her daily life with the young male Italian who cared for elephants. What is amazing is how she shows us her growing understanding of what it takes to enter the responsible world of an adult.
I relished almost every sentence in this book for I could feel the escape to a different world and the challenges it gave. Read it and those I mentioned above too. They are a good mix of fiction and fact.
March 31, 2015
This book has it all--the rhythm of the European countryside and quaint towns, the colorful characters juggling their lives, busking in the street, the smell and sounds of big circus animals, the fascinating glimpse behind the glitter of the Big Top and the uniquely dreary lives of the acrobats and dancing girls. And the romance. Cremonesi, a fiercely independent young American woman who swims in the shark tank (among other hilarious duties) falls for the dashing Italian Stefano, the mercurial and magical elephant keeper. The story swirls as brightly as the circus lights around this love affair as their cultures collide as surely as their hearts entwine.
As a writer, I was intrigued by Cremonesi's skillful use of the Italian and Spanish circuses as vital characters in this captivating and well written memoir. Her pacing and wickedly wonderful sense of humor will keep you enthralled to the very last page.
As a writer, I was intrigued by Cremonesi's skillful use of the Italian and Spanish circuses as vital characters in this captivating and well written memoir. Her pacing and wickedly wonderful sense of humor will keep you enthralled to the very last page.
July 6, 2020
Everyone in my generation wanted to run away and join the circus, and I dreamed of being the girl on the elephant and being spun up in the air as I hung from a fat velvet rope. Kathleen Cremonesi's story is what we all want to tell our grandchildren about our lives with nothing left out. It is a love story and I adored it.
I read
based on a lark, the title and the cover. But for everyone who dares to love... I think she wrote it for them.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
I read
based on a lark, the title and the cover. But for everyone who dares to love... I think she wrote it for them. 4 stars
Happy Reading!
March 19, 2016
I havent enjoyed a book like i did this one in a very long time. This true story enveloped me into the circus world and these significant animals, the independence of a woman traveling the world, the romance of two very interesting people. I learned two awesome Italian recipes reading this book, I learned how to properly say Stefano (Steee-fano). I laughed and cried as I read this story of life, love and capturing everything your heart desires. Thank you, I will remember this story for a long time....
May 4, 2015
what a wonderful book!!! Wow. Truly great read, full of valuable lessons, thoughts, and wisdom that comes from living through all sorts of situations, in various conditions.
Makes a reader re-think some of their priorities, as Kathleen was getting to understand what was the most important thing for her.
Beautifully written, with everything that draws reader to it, holds him there and does not let go until... the book is finished :D
absolutely loved it!!!
Makes a reader re-think some of their priorities, as Kathleen was getting to understand what was the most important thing for her.
Beautifully written, with everything that draws reader to it, holds him there and does not let go until... the book is finished :D
absolutely loved it!!!
May 2, 2015
Sure wish I could have read this book in my 20's. My 21 year old daughter will appreciate Kathleen's desire for adventure, truth, purpose & free-spirited sense of self all the while learning how to love deeply. Kathleen is an old soul. Fortunate to know herself well enough to live in her integrity as she navigates each day with an open endedness that would send most of us into crippling fear. Brave young lady.
October 17, 2015
Fantastic; even better read than Eat, Pray, Love, and Water for Elephants. Kathleen keeps us intrigued with as she shares her life, running away to Europe and into the circus, while delightfully educating us in the cultural clashes between a young American vegetarian, and her Italian elephant keeper novio. But deeper than that, she skillfully shares her gained wisdom, which is worth sharing with the world! I love the cover, the contents; it would make a great movie as well.
October 28, 2015
This book lifted me up and left me totally inspired. I see true love exhibited in my family but this story truly made me cry with joy. The author followed her heart and never let herself be led away from what she knew was right for her and in the end it led her back to everything that mattered in the world. The fact that it involved elephants is just a bonus and really was why I sought out the book in the first place. What an accomplishment for a first book. True love. I am so jealous!
June 2, 2016
I loved this book! I never dreamed of running off to be in the circus and neither did Kathleen, but that is where she found herself; performing in an Italian circus! As a young woman, she traveled the US, following the grateful Dead. Then she went to Europe and traveled with a friend. They ended up working in a circus. Her friend didnt last long at all, but Kathleen stayed and found herself and "Love in the Elephant Tent"! It reads like a good fiction story, but it is all true!!!
September 13, 2015
need some time on this. Will definitely post a full review soon though :)
August 18, 2019
Interesting read. I enjoyed her descriptions of free for living, coupled with the grounding of love. I feel that I traveled Europe with the author.
August 17, 2020
While circus life for animals is a bit sad, this memoir is an amazing summer beach read that leaves the reader feeling free and imagining the possibilities...
March 30, 2015
Love in the Elephant Tent is one woman’s journey to find herself, search for a home, adventure, and love. Kathleen travels to Europe in order to find herself and adventure and ends up joining the circus. She very quickly fell in love with a man. I was intrigued to read more about Kathleen and her European circus adventure.
I thought Kathleen did a wonderful job describing the circus and all it entails. I did feel as though I could see everything and experience the circus, both the show and behind the scenes. However, I felt like she sometimes went on tangents about things that didn’t really matter, such as 4 pages on Italian expressions with penis or bottom. She was in Europe, but I didn’t read much about her seeing much other than the circus. I loved reading the parts when she went out and explored and her life consisted of more than just the circus. In addition, I disliked how she talked about how much she wanted to go home before her ticket expired, but when she finally did it was such a brief part of the book.
Kathleen was very quick to fall in love with Stefano. For someone who wanted freedom and to be independent by traveling to Europe on her own she seemed to be trapped by a man. As much as she loved Stefano and said he felt like home there were many times she seemed very unhappy in the circus talked about wanting to leave with Stefano but he didn’t want to so they didn’t. When I thought Kathleen and Stefano’s relationship was coming to an end I was glad that she finally was acting like the independent woman I knew she was when she first came to Europe. I didn’t like Stefano until the very end of the book, which made reading this difficult since it was full of their unhealthy relationship. I realize that they both were at fault and they loved each other and maybe being apart helped them work things out so I am happy they have a great life together now. However, she spent so much of the book describing how unhealthy their relationship it was hard to see the good in it except for the short bit at the end about how they are doing now.
In addition, as interesting as it was to read about the circus I couldn’t help but think of the animals that were being mistreated. Stefano wanted to stay so he could help the elephants and Kathleen talked about how sorry she felt for the animals. However, she was quick to ride ostriches and elephants and swim with sharks. She loved the thrill of it and claimed to love the animals; however, she was a part of mistreating them. It is nice to see now that she is helping elephants who are in need.
I received a free advanced e-copy from ECW Press through NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I thought Kathleen did a wonderful job describing the circus and all it entails. I did feel as though I could see everything and experience the circus, both the show and behind the scenes. However, I felt like she sometimes went on tangents about things that didn’t really matter, such as 4 pages on Italian expressions with penis or bottom. She was in Europe, but I didn’t read much about her seeing much other than the circus. I loved reading the parts when she went out and explored and her life consisted of more than just the circus. In addition, I disliked how she talked about how much she wanted to go home before her ticket expired, but when she finally did it was such a brief part of the book.
Kathleen was very quick to fall in love with Stefano. For someone who wanted freedom and to be independent by traveling to Europe on her own she seemed to be trapped by a man. As much as she loved Stefano and said he felt like home there were many times she seemed very unhappy in the circus talked about wanting to leave with Stefano but he didn’t want to so they didn’t. When I thought Kathleen and Stefano’s relationship was coming to an end I was glad that she finally was acting like the independent woman I knew she was when she first came to Europe. I didn’t like Stefano until the very end of the book, which made reading this difficult since it was full of their unhealthy relationship. I realize that they both were at fault and they loved each other and maybe being apart helped them work things out so I am happy they have a great life together now. However, she spent so much of the book describing how unhealthy their relationship it was hard to see the good in it except for the short bit at the end about how they are doing now.
In addition, as interesting as it was to read about the circus I couldn’t help but think of the animals that were being mistreated. Stefano wanted to stay so he could help the elephants and Kathleen talked about how sorry she felt for the animals. However, she was quick to ride ostriches and elephants and swim with sharks. She loved the thrill of it and claimed to love the animals; however, she was a part of mistreating them. It is nice to see now that she is helping elephants who are in need.
I received a free advanced e-copy from ECW Press through NetGalley in exchange for a review.
February 18, 2017
There is always that one thing, either it is a trip or an event, that has a significant impact on your life. For Kathleen Cremonesi, that was running away. I don't normally read memoirs. But after reading this one, maybe I'll start reading them, especially they will be personal and relatable, just like this one. As you read, you embark on Kathleen's journey on not only finding love, but on finding your place in the world, a feeling most of us has felt at least once in our life.
With Kathleen's descriptive imagery and intriguing storytelling, this memoir manages to absorb you into another world, very different from your own. Kathleen's remarkably honest nature and personality immediately pulled me in and captivated me until the very last page. Her determination to find her own place in not only at the circus, but a place in the world on her own terms, was so inspirational. Kathleen did things in her young 20s that would most likely cripple us with fear. But she didn't let her fear burden and that really speaks to her gutsy spirit.
Her relationship with Stefano may not be ideal in romantic eyes but, honestly, I don't think true love is supposed to be this idealistic idea and Kathleen's and Stefano's tribulations prove that. I think true love is perfectly described in this quote:
True love isn't a vow to live happily ever after, but a promise to overcome the challenges of entwining two lives and two hearts, two pasts and two futures. True love understands its own worth.
Both Kathleen and Stefano had to go through a lot of painful trials to really truly understand the meaning of true love, not this idealistic notion of it. And that is what make their relationship so real.
Love in the Elephant Tent is a perfect coming-of-age memoir fill with beautiful scenic descriptions, fascinating adventures, and an emotional journey through the human heart that will have you engrossed until the very last page. This intriguing memoir shows what Kathleen was always striving to live by: It's okay to be different. Because you never what you will find a long the way.
Note: I received this book from ECW Press for an honest review.
With Kathleen's descriptive imagery and intriguing storytelling, this memoir manages to absorb you into another world, very different from your own. Kathleen's remarkably honest nature and personality immediately pulled me in and captivated me until the very last page. Her determination to find her own place in not only at the circus, but a place in the world on her own terms, was so inspirational. Kathleen did things in her young 20s that would most likely cripple us with fear. But she didn't let her fear burden and that really speaks to her gutsy spirit.
Her relationship with Stefano may not be ideal in romantic eyes but, honestly, I don't think true love is supposed to be this idealistic idea and Kathleen's and Stefano's tribulations prove that. I think true love is perfectly described in this quote:
True love isn't a vow to live happily ever after, but a promise to overcome the challenges of entwining two lives and two hearts, two pasts and two futures. True love understands its own worth.
Both Kathleen and Stefano had to go through a lot of painful trials to really truly understand the meaning of true love, not this idealistic notion of it. And that is what make their relationship so real.
Love in the Elephant Tent is a perfect coming-of-age memoir fill with beautiful scenic descriptions, fascinating adventures, and an emotional journey through the human heart that will have you engrossed until the very last page. This intriguing memoir shows what Kathleen was always striving to live by: It's okay to be different. Because you never what you will find a long the way.
Note: I received this book from ECW Press for an honest review.
May 14, 2016
I had a hard time reading this because I found Kathleen and Stefano both so annoying. She comes across as spoiled and immature - wanting to tag along with the circus but unwilling to work, then complaining that her boyfriend doesn't have time for her. He's sexist and constantly asking why she won't cook for him. I didn't really see any growth throughout the book, they fought a lot but felt passionate about each other. The emotional, personal side of the story doesn't have much value for readers, in my mind; it's just a self-indulgent reminiscence about falling in love. I think what the story offers is an inside view of the circus, which is decidedly unromantic and kind of like a sweatshop. It seemed like Kathleen didn't like anything about it except riding animals. So basically it's a book that makes the circus sound less exciting than you'd think it is, if for some reason that appeals to you.
January 15, 2016
Love in the Elephant Tent: How Running Away With the Circus Brought Me Home by Kathleen Cremonesi (ECW Press 2015) (Biography). Kathleen Cremonesi has written an old fashioned love story but cloaked it in a brand new costume. The author (like me) is an old Deadhead. She wound up in Amsterdam between tours and then literally ran away with the circus. She met the love of her life under the big top; this is her tale of travel and adventure. Many folks refer to going on the road with the Grateful Dead as "running away to join the circus." Kathleen Cremonisi is the only person I've ever heard of who actually left the Dead tour to go out on the road in an actual performing circus! My rating: 7.25/10, finished 1/13/16.
May 28, 2015
Ever wondered what it would be like to run away and join the circus? Well wonder no more, because Kathleen Cremonesi did just that, and her new memoir, Love In the Elephant Tent, will allow you to live vicariously so that you don't have to actually experience it yourself. Yet, her storytelling is so astute that you will feel like you were right alongside her as she explored this bohemian lifestyle and learned the same lesson that Dorothy did in The Wizard of Oz, that there is no place like home. In the interim, though, she learned a lot about herself, discovered a passion for elephants and adventure, and found true love, right there in the elephant tent.
June 24, 2015
Wonderful story
I went to school with Kathleen so this was that much more enjoyable, knowing the main character. I thought the story was amazing and captivating. It was wonderfully written, allowing me to have my own visual picture of the story throughout the book. I have to say I was disappointed when it was over. I could have kept on reading. I remember talking with Kathleen at our last class reunion and saying, "You really should write a book".
I went to school with Kathleen so this was that much more enjoyable, knowing the main character. I thought the story was amazing and captivating. It was wonderfully written, allowing me to have my own visual picture of the story throughout the book. I have to say I was disappointed when it was over. I could have kept on reading. I remember talking with Kathleen at our last class reunion and saying, "You really should write a book".
July 25, 2015
Loved this memoir of an adventurous American woman who joins up with a European circus and meets Stefano, the passionate elephant keeper. You will find yourself immersed in the richness of Italy, the circus, the food and the passion of young love. Kathleen tells her story the way she lives her life, with thoughtfulness and embracing all that is meaningful.
April 22, 2015
Learning about love in all it's forms and how to honor it. This is a beautiful book with an elusive setting filled with both unusual & common characters of different species. Kathleen's writing is vivid & breathtakingly honest and immediately pulled me by the heart onto the back of her wild & simply human journey. Lovely!
April 8, 2016
This book illustrates why I love quirky memoirs. The story is almost too good to be true. Funny and poignant stories vie for the readers attention. Kathleen and Stefano are very interesting. Their life among the animals, including elephants, giraffes and sharks are what drives the story along.
May 16, 2015
This was an fascinating and fast-moving book. The reader is able to experience Italy and the joy and heartache of circus travel. A wonderful story of a girl maturing to womanhood. A great addition to my bookshelf.
May 20, 2015
This was a good read. I learned a lot about the workings of a circus and it was a coming of age story of two interesting people. I recommend it.
July 27, 2015
I don't usually like personal stories but this one captivated me and kept me up at night reading. She had a very differnt life and a great written voice. I really enjoyed it.
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