What is so fascinating about circus life?
-
- Posts: 232
- Joined: 18 Feb 2017, 05:48
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 49
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kishor-rao.html
- Latest Review: Burn Zones by Jorge P. Newbery
Re: What is so fascinating about circus life?
- Radiant3
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 413
- Joined: 04 May 2018, 05:40
- Favorite Book: Healing Your Attachment Wounds
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 147
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-radiant3.html
- Latest Review: The Final Keystone by John Kevin Crowley
- Shrabastee Chakraborty
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2511
- Joined: 23 Mar 2018, 00:38
- Favorite Book: The Warramunga's War
- Currently Reading: Timewise
- Bookshelf Size: 1153
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shrabastee-chakraborty.html
- Latest Review: The Infinite Passion of Life by D.J. Paolini
2. To be very honest, I have been to circus only once. I want to experience it at least one more time to see whether my childhood experience differs from that of now. Also, not going to circus will not help the performers who depend upon it for their livelihood.
3. I believe the book provides ample glimpses into the inner workings of circus life. The two examples are where the performers carry on the show despite the sad demise of their fellow workers, because "the show must go on", and that the circus gives free meth to its employees to help them cope.
4. Although he is fairly happy and easygoing about it, and he always lives in the moment, I believe risking life at every breath will not be any person's job of choice. I believe this was not the best, but the optimum choice for Duke.
- DakotaA
- Posts: 139
- Joined: 17 Jul 2018, 03:14
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 5
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dakotaa.html
- Latest Review: Purgatory's Angel by B Hughes-Millman
- Hiruni Bhagya 81
- Posts: 745
- Joined: 31 Aug 2018, 14:43
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 128
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hiruni-bhagya-81.html
- Latest Review: Randy Love...at your service by Shay Carter
I've never been to a circus before in my life, but I've enjoyed watching them on television. I hate that animals are sometimes abused in the name of providing people enjoyment.
Circus is a big family for the people who are not the norm in the society, in other words freaks.
Yes, I think he is content being a sword swallower despite the hard life.
- Emily Guerra
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 25 Feb 2018, 00:46
- Currently Reading: I'll Give You the Sun
- Bookshelf Size: 69
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emily-guerra.html
- Latest Review: Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks by Morton E Tavel, MD
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
I love that there's a whole new world taking place inside that huge tent. Suspense and emotions all over the place, wanting to know what's going to happen next. Of course, it's all beautiful and fun to the spectator's eye since its all put together for entertainment. What I don't like about it, and maybe this is what was also described in the book (from my POV), is the background to the circus life. Remembering the story of P.T. Barnum and what started as a museum, it brings some sadness to my heart as I think how these people were treated before and during circus life. Not as human beings or artists but as keys to entertainment. They were exposed by their physical appearances to make people laugh or to be severely judged by society's norms.
Knowing or believing these people could only exist for that matter, with no family but the other members of the circus. Just living every day and from every show, and not being able to fully enjoy life. Never settling down, and build a life somewhere. To some people might sound like a good idea, and it probably is, for a few days. I can imagine myself living like that forever, and being completely honest, I don't think I ever want to do that. It's not happiness, just moving around performing in every city. Repeating the same act. I kind of feel that's what Duke felt, he was just doing the same over and over, and eventually got bored. Internally missing his family and a decent life.
- Scrawling Pen
- Posts: 177
- Joined: 03 Jan 2018, 19:55
- Currently Reading: Snape
- Bookshelf Size: 138
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scrawling-pen.html
- Latest Review: The Queen of Xana by Fred Pilcher
- 10mile72
- Posts: 554
- Joined: 21 May 2018, 12:13
- Favorite Book: My Trip To Adele
- Currently Reading: The Message?
- Bookshelf Size: 309
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-10mile72.html
- Latest Review: Marriage 101 by Rodney D Sewell
You're right; Duke was an adrenaline junkie, but that was part of the charm of the story. He had made peace with the fact that his life was one of chasing thrills and taking risks, but without any meaningful, permanent relationships.P0tt3ry wrote: ↑01 May 2018, 09:56 The circus has always fascinated me because it seems to be a foreign country that travels from place to place. My father was a carnie during his teens and early twenties. He'd entertain us with stories of the behind-the-scene aspects of tear-down and set-up, including the mishaps. I visualized a close family on a constant adventure. The book described circus life but not in-depth. I wanted to know more about the Duke's circus family and was disappointed that people he was close to just disappeared from the story. Duke was an adrenaline junky and sword swallowing, with the constant chance of death, satisfied the itch. Adding more and more acts struck me as a way for him to find new ways to achieve the adrenaline high.
- 10mile72
- Posts: 554
- Joined: 21 May 2018, 12:13
- Favorite Book: My Trip To Adele
- Currently Reading: The Message?
- Bookshelf Size: 309
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-10mile72.html
- Latest Review: Marriage 101 by Rodney D Sewell
You're right; I think that's the appeal -- it's a totally different, exotic, self-contained world populated with outrageous characters.AmySmiles wrote: ↑01 May 2018, 12:12 I believe the circus, to many seems like an entirely different life. A whole different world. So much so it becomes a comical saying, I quit and I'm going to run away and join the circus. It's an escape maybe from the ho hum life that we seem to fall into. I imagine it would especially be alluring if you liked to travel. What a great way to "see the world". I myself have never been fascinated with the circus. I find the death defying acts to frightening, the clowns silly and the lion tamers crazy. But that is just my opinion. I'll stick to my old routine that I am comfortable with.
- 10mile72
- Posts: 554
- Joined: 21 May 2018, 12:13
- Favorite Book: My Trip To Adele
- Currently Reading: The Message?
- Bookshelf Size: 309
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-10mile72.html
- Latest Review: Marriage 101 by Rodney D Sewell
Funny that you draw the "horror" analogy; the circus has often been linked to horror in books and movies, especially with regard to clowns, which are kind of spooky (I loved Killer Clowns from Outer Space).Sketches_by_Shell wrote: ↑02 May 2018, 09:22Just like watching a horror movie is intriguing to me; it is like "delving into a counterculture." I like that description. I enjoy reading books that speak of other cultures, but I don't think I would enjoy this one. The circus is a culture in which I would prefer not to spend my time reading.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑01 May 2018, 19:36 The mirage of circus life is like delving into a counterculture that is so different than the norm that it fascinates me. Watching the way the different groups (clowns, sideshow acts, etc) interacted with each other intrigues me. I've read other books about circus life but none that went into depth about the drug culture.
- 10mile72
- Posts: 554
- Joined: 21 May 2018, 12:13
- Favorite Book: My Trip To Adele
- Currently Reading: The Message?
- Bookshelf Size: 309
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-10mile72.html
- Latest Review: Marriage 101 by Rodney D Sewell
I agree. Duke has a circus family instead of a real one. It's the trade-off he accepted in life, and made his peace with. I could imagine that a group of people on the road together like that for months at a time would grow very close, almost like a real family.
- Jasy95
- Posts: 215
- Joined: 26 Sep 2020, 11:29
- Favorite Book: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
- Currently Reading: Circe
- Bookshelf Size: 44
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jasy95.html
- Latest Review: The Data Collectors by Danielle Palli
-
- Posts: 2370
- Joined: 25 Feb 2021, 13:23
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 482
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-markodim721.html
- Latest Review: The Solution is Political Revolution by Jillion R Rising
- Sandeep Moses
- Posts: 390
- Joined: 15 Jun 2021, 10:07
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 96
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sandeep-moses.html
- Latest Review: Stevie Tenderheart Books WAIT A MINUTE! (An Illustrated Novella) by Steve William Laible
-
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 403
- Joined: 05 Oct 2022, 03:14
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 49
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-charles-agbata-1.html
- Latest Review: Timewise by Robert Leet