Which Character Do You Prefer?

Use this forum to discuss the May 2018 Book of the Month, "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson
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R Lawrence
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Re: Which Character Do You Prefer?

Post by R Lawrence »

I found Duke’s story much more interesting than Gary’s. Duke had a story to tell but Gary was just passing through life and his misbehaving got old quickly.
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Post by Hiruni Bhagya 81 »

I didn't like the immature hedonistic ways of Gary and how Duke was addicted to drugs and alcohol even in the latter part of his life. But, I respect both of them. Because, Duke knew his faults and showed others the correct path while Gary was able to achieve a stable life and write books in order to lead the modern day teens in the correct path.
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Post by supernatural143 »

Both Duke and Gary's characters are interesting. I find Duke's life more compelling simply because he had the opportunity to redeem himself and have his own family.
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Post by Scrawling Pen »

I liked Duke's character better. I think to an extent, the two are similar, but Duke is much more introspective and able to see his life from a different perspective. His life experience has made him wise.
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Post by 10mile72 »

I agree with most of the comments -- Duke was a better character; he knew what he was about, accepted the tradeoffs he had made, and was steering his own ship. He also had a good heart and cared about his circus family. :?
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Post by Stephanie Runyon »

I preferred Duke because he had a better grasp of reality and that his choices in life led him to where he was. Gary seemed only out for his next fix and it took nearly dying to make him face his problems. He also seemed to be hypocritical towards his mother as he took her path and vaulted into a full on life of destruction doing the same thing she did.
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Post by Sandeep Moses »

To be honest, I won't prefer either of them. Both the characters are in two extremities. I am not the kind of person who would go crazy to that extent like how the sword swallower took a risk until blood came out. That's creepy!
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Post by kensgarment odogwu »

I prefer Duke to Gary. Although they had their different contribution to keep the story line interesting and flowing. Duke character just appealed to me more.
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Post by Agbata Precious 1 »

I think the both characters are interesting but I preferred Dukes role in the book in fact he was the main character and he accepted himself for who he was.
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Post by Agbata Charles »

Garys character was my favorite in this book
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Post by Moo Reny »

It's hard to choose one of them as being interesting as each characters were developed uniquely
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Post by Not available anymore »

Both characters weren't so great but I enjoyed the Duke character part than Gary
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Post by Jay David Randall »

meadhbh wrote: 02 May 2018, 09:58 This book follows the lives of two very different characters - Duke, a sword-swallower, and Gary Robinson, a college graduate. Which of these two characters did you prefer and why? Whose story did you find more compelling?
Duke was my favorite character in the Chico kid and the sword swallower.
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Post by Mellino Itz »

Duke's story was actually more compelling. How he viewed life was quiet different and his addiction to drugs was more on the basics of survival. Gray too was an interesting character.
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Post by Odindi Omo »

I'll go for Duke's. Maybe because he knew how to fight his demons. But he did well enough with his life. He did better than some people that doesn't even have demons.
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