2017 Reading Challenge discussion

Note: I was going to use this book for a wild card because I was reading it for another book club, but as I finished it I realized it was about a dystopia also. Here is my review with one spoilers.
I have been trying to decide one word to describe this novel besides reusing the word "extraordinary" and that word is haunting.
First if you have read and liked "The Dove Keepers" by the same author or saw the mini-series, I am sure you will love this book also.
As Alice Hoffman did in Dove Keepers, she bases her story on real events - in this case the fire at Triangle Shirtwaist factory and ends it with a fire at Dreamland. But the book is really not about those events, they are just a background.
The novel is filled with memorable characters, Coralie the daughter of a so called professor who runs a sideshow (which he calls a museum) of sorts and Eddie, a young photographer. Along with the two main characters are men and women who are deformed in some way and others who are con artists and criminals. Everyone has two sides which are developed lovingly through the novel. The grotesque are shown for the humanity and love they have and the rich and handsome are shown for their ugliness (with one exception).
I was most fascinated by the authors use of two elements, fire and water, to symbolize the passions and conflicts in the novel. Fire is primarily used as an image of burning away the false to convey truth and it is used as a symbol for hate. It is the destroyer and a voice. As Ms. Hoffman states near the end of the novel "..fire has a voice....(Eddie) recognized its destroying call." Water on the other hand is as a metaphor for the mysterious, the unseen, and sometimes the profane. Water creates mist which is often used as a symbol to cover up something.
There were times I almost could not bear to continue to read it because the story had reach a profane or dangerous turn. However, at the end I could hard put it down and end it. There is a very tender letter at the end summarizing the tone.
I could go on for pages about this touching, haunting book. Usually I pass on to someone else my books. I am not entirely sure that I will readily part with this one. It is like a fine wine or dinner - it is meant to be savored.

Margo wrote: "Note: I was going to use this book for a wild card because I was reading it for another book club, but as I finished it I realized it was about a dystopia also. Here is my review with one spoiler...."

Thanks for the review Margo. You capture the essence of the book and I can see you found it really special too.

I was fascinated by the historical setting which was very much part of the book's immersive charm for me. Descriptions of water and the river create a haunting, mysterious atmosphere, as you say ... fire brings terror and destruction... and is a catalyst for change.
I found the book really special too.

Annerlee wrote: "Margo wrote: "Note: I was going to use this book for a wild card because I was reading it for another book club, but as I finished it I realized it was about a dystopia also. Here is my review with..."
Thank you very much. I try to really think through my reviews. Yes I did love the book and still thinking about it. I am reading "The Buried Giant" right now and it too uses mist but in quiet a different way.