Behind the Novel
Circus Train at Sunrise takes place in 1927, where successful careers for women outside of their roles at home were limited. The traveling circus in the twenties was an exception to that narrative. In the circus, a woman could be a star, and many women were!
It made sense for Charlotte to find the circus along the way to finding herself, because of the opportunities it presented for a woman to find her own way.
In a time where women had only just been granted the right to vote, and still could not hold their own bank account or even their individual name on a passport, the circus was a place where they could find freedom and empowerment. For an interesting list of what women could not do in the twenties, check out this article from Mental Floss. You might be surprised!
While the story is fictional, it does mention a few famous circus performers. I wanted to focus specifically on strong and amazing female circus stars as it related to my theme of empowerment for Charlotte and the other women she met along the way.
See below for information on some of these spectacular women and more of the true history that inspired Circus Train at Sunrise!
Thanks for reading!
Mabel Stark
"one of the most celebrated animal trainers in a field dominated by men." - New York Times Obituary
One famous circus performer referred to throughout the book is Mabel Stark, a tiger tamer in the 20s. Mabel's story is fascinating! She was married four times and kept on with her center-ring act even after being nearly mauled to death by one of her tigers at a show. Mabel Stark is mentioned a few times in the novel as our protagonist, Charlotte, compares her life to the life of the famous tiger tamer. Mabel Some of her hutzpah inspired the bravery and grit of my character, Birdie Bells the circus star.
Check out this New York Times article for more information on Mabel Stark, the infamous Tiger Trainer: https://www.nytimes.com/.../mabel-stark-overlooked.html
photo credit: Library of Congress: https://blogs.loc.gov/.../mabel-stark-world-famous.../
Lillian Leitzel
"one of the most celebrated animal trainers in a field dominated by men." - New York Times Obituary
Lillian Leitzel was a famous trapeze artist in the early twentieth century known for her talent with the Roman Rings in Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey's Circus where she was billed as "The World's Most Marvelous Lady Gymnast." According to the Ringling archives, "Leitzel was the first performer in history to command her own private Pullman car completely furnished with her own baby grand piano." Lillian Leitzel's amazing talent, and notorious temper, acted as inspiration for my circus star character, Birdie Bells.
Lillian Leitzel's death was a devastating surprise that followed a center-ring accident where she fell in the middle of a show and died from her injuries two days later. Ironically, one of the reasons cited for her death was that she "didn't know how to fall," which I think sums up her character really well.
Here is the real-life New York Times article announcing her tragic fatal fall!
For more information on Lillian Leitzel, check out this amazing website from Jonathan Gordon: https://lillianleitzel.com/
Gordon created this as a passion project when researching his own book on Leitzel's life. He says "What is important to understand about Leitzel is how much she meant to
her audience. She was like royalty come to visit her subjects. Her fans revered her, and they felt privileged she was appearing before them, especially outside the big cities." For more on Leitzel and her legacy, click below!
Photo credit and sources:
Circusandsideshows.com
Ringling.org
Lillianleitzel.com
May Wirth 1913 Circopedia.org
May Wirth
"The Greatest Bareback Rider of All Time!" - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
May Wirth was the first circus star to somersault from one horse to another, and was a headliner act for Ringling from 1919-1929 where she was hailed as "The Queen of Equestrian Artists." (This is noted on her headstone in the Circus Ring of Fame.)
"The Wirth troupe opened with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden in April 1926. Variety singled May, Leitzel, and Colleano as the outstanding features of the program that year. May’s act was spiced with a "Charleston" that she executed on the bareback of her swift white horse (Circopedia.org/may_wirth)"
Wirth's grit, strength, and talent with horses served as inspiration for my character, Charlotte. You can read more about May Wirth on the Circus Ring of Fame website or click below for her fantastic Circopedia page.
Ca'd'Zan
"With 36,000 square feet and 56 rooms, the Ringlings’ opulent winter home Ca’ d’Zan was meant to impress!" - Ringling.org
The fancy house party setting for Circus Train at Sunrise is inspired by a real place, Ca'd'Zan, The Ringling Mansion! Jeremiah and I visit that museum each time we go to Sarasota and learn something new every time.
For more info on the real place that inspired the Sterling Mansion, visit the link below.
