If I keep mulling over the scenes and picturing the story in my head does that mean it was a successful book? I think it does.
If I am disappointed by the character development after such vivid scenes were “painted” in my mind does that mean that the book was sup-par or just not living up to it’s own standards? Either way it’s not a good sign.
Would I recommend it? I can’t decide.
Behind the Willows 
I’ve read the book twice and can’t decide either. The imagery is great, but the characters fell flat for me. With a good re-write, this book could be great!
I think the re-write might need to double the book length so we can get as much good character stuff as circus stuff!
Like you, I thought about this book a lot after I read it earlier this year. I was obsessed with the symbolism (or what I supposed was symbolism). You have a point about the characters, I suppose, but I found it to be a good story nonetheless.
I did enjoy the story as well it’s a neat premise for a story. Like I said I kept thinking about it after I was done. I think it’s perhaps because I liked the story and the scene so much I wished there was more character development stuff in there. Or maybe it’s just that I’m greedy – I liked it and I wanted more! 🙂
Yep, I liked it, but it was missing something……..