Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire

Ephemia Rimaldi (Effy), 12, is left in the care of her Aunt Ada in Toronto after the death of her mother. Her father had abandoned the family when Effy was born because he did not feel a circus performer could be a proper parent and husband. Her Aunt Ada is an ardent feminist working with the suffragettes to get the vote for women. She is also determined to educate the irrepressible Effy to ensure her future in the world. “Effy was fine with that notion. She wanted to go to college, something boys were allowed to do, but only a few privileged women. Society didn’t approve of higher education for girls. But Effy knew her great-Aunt Ada would help her succeed.” (p. 8)

When Aunt Ada dies suddenly, Effy worries about her future. Although her aunt left money for her education, Effy’s avaricious relatives want to snatch her education trust fund and make Effy their servant. “We’ll find Ephemia a job until our lawyer turns the trust fund back to me… I mean us.” (p. 22) Effy’s only hope is to get her legal guardian – her wayward father - to administer her aunt’s wishes. She runs away to find her father at the Rimaldi Circus. After a difficult journey, she discovers that Phineas Rimaldi, the circus ringmaster, wants very little to do with her, but she is determined to fight for her future and her education.

Effy tries to fit into the circus world. Her father is a difficult and volatile man who wants to get rid of Effy. He tells her, “I am no father, and you are no circus performer.” (p. 64) However, Effy manages to befriend some of the circus people and tries to find a place for herself in this new world. She tries her hand at helping the fortune teller, becoming a trapeze artist, and helping with Balally the elephant. Balally takes a liking to her, and she discovers that he is being mistreated. His trainer wants to send him to a sanctuary in Ceylon. Ephemia is not skilled at any of these circus tasks, but she is a determined and spirited young woman who wants to persuade her father to administer her education fund and send her to school.

Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire is a gentle narrative about a very enthusiastic young lady – Ephemia Rimaldi. Although she never becomes a “Circus Performer Extraordinaire,” Effy does find a place for herself in the circus community. She befriends Balally, the circus elephant who is in danger of being sold. Her caring nature and skill with animals make her an integral part of solving the mystery which surrounds the boisterous animal. She believes that “animals are important and have feelings.” (p. 145) Readers will be interested in the details of circus life which are explored in this novel.

Linda Demeulemeester explores many interesting topics in this novel, including: feminism, suffrage for women, protest movements, circus life, grief, education, family relationships, friendship, animal rights, and courage. Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire has a powerful message for readers, “Everyone needed to be listened to and respected, not just people in refined society.” (p. 202)