Historical fiction set in Scotland

Submitted: 28th April 2025

The Show Woman – Emma Cowling

This is a novel that is truly something else. A novel about the circus in Scotland set up by women, for women. It’s 1910 and four woman achieve something quite remarkable for their time.

Going it alone at that time was unheard of. But when death in the family means the circus has to close down, then it’s these women who decide to do their own thing.

Society however was not expecting what came next…. (and by that I mean men 😉

show woman emma cowing

Map of locations in The Show Woman

BOARDING PASS INFORMATION

Destination : Scotland and the circus

Author guide: Emma Cowling

Genre: historical

Food and drink to accompany: popcorn and ringside cola!

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A novel to transport you to Scotland

Map of locations in The Show Woman

I DEVOURED this novel. I loved every second. Do you know what’s funny though? I am so not a fan of circuses in real life yet some of my favourite novels have been about circuses, set in that world or involve circus acts of some kind. What’s that all about?

This is gripping on every level. The fact that women stood up for what they believed in and went against society ( ie men) is something that is very compelling to read about. Add to that feminist angle, the world of the circus behind the scenes and you have gold! There’s a bit of romance inside too but the first two things are what did it for me.

This is not a light novel however as there are themes of sexual assault and that involving children which is disturbing. However it all fits in with that time and what went on behind closed doors. It paints an often cruel yet real world, shows the harsh conditions of the time and sets out a world that you can’t help but peel back the curtain to look within.

The writing is exceptional and the vividness of the scenes was wonderful. It reads like a show, like a movie and I swear I could hear the soundtrack and smell the face paint as I read. It was beguiling – that world of the circus and how society at the time viewed it.

I don’t want to reveal anything else about the plot other than to say I highly recommend this! and hope I will be watching it on screen one day soon.