Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Oooooooohhhh this is gonna bring out angry political Guillermo Del Toro and I am so excited
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very well done. A classic of 'noir'. Is it depressing? Absolutely. Is it dated? It is. Still, it's so well done, and such a window to a particular time and mindset, which just enough philosophy scattered throughout to make it more than worthwhile. Look for an important character in a railway car near the end. He holds the key to much of the novel.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whether a book of fiction "works" or not is a matter of multiple elements. Chief of these is whether the created world is worth a reader's belief. It hardly takes a handful of paragraphs before Gresham's world is confirmed as one worthy of not just belief, but faith.
It's a similar faith that initially magnetizes Stanton Carlisle. Then quickly intoxicates him to the point where he trusts the carny world of spiritualism more than anything else. As Stan inches his way into the center of outcast society, the paint of metaphysical decay peels ever so slightly before cascading down in a melting immorality.
Like watching an apple slowly rot in the sun, observing Stan's veiled ascent and swift descent is a disgusting affair. Though not a wholly unexpected one. It's the life of a freak, after all, to be so thoroughly convinced of your importance and charisma that you neglect your own foolishness and missteps.
Gresham's wry ability to make the private world of freaks public cements this macabre noir as a staple of the genre. Yet its fleshy core will far outlive that of the carnival. He's not fooling anyone. This isn't the greatest show on earth. It never was supposed to be. And still, one can't help but see themselves in its shadow. If you can't, well, then you're already geeked.
It's a similar faith that initially magnetizes Stanton Carlisle. Then quickly intoxicates him to the point where he trusts the carny world of spiritualism more than anything else. As Stan inches his way into the center of outcast society, the paint of metaphysical decay peels ever so slightly before cascading down in a melting immorality.
Like watching an apple slowly rot in the sun, observing Stan's veiled ascent and swift descent is a disgusting affair. Though not a wholly unexpected one. It's the life of a freak, after all, to be so thoroughly convinced of your importance and charisma that you neglect your own foolishness and missteps.
Gresham's wry ability to make the private world of freaks public cements this macabre noir as a staple of the genre. Yet its fleshy core will far outlive that of the carnival. He's not fooling anyone. This isn't the greatest show on earth. It never was supposed to be. And still, one can't help but see themselves in its shadow. If you can't, well, then you're already geeked.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had no idea this had been made into a film twice (maybe more times, those are just the ones I found on a Google search). I actually look forward to checking out the film adaptations after reading this, especially the 2021 adaptation by the Hellboy guy. Somehow it seems like the perfect book for him to adapt, and somehow I'm not sure why this book isn't more iconic - a noir detective should really be remarked upon more than it is... by that I mean I hadn't even heard of it until recently. Perhaps everyone has known about it for years and it's just me.
I agree with some reviewers that the book drags in places, but the central premise is so good and well conjured that it's hard to really begrudge it that much.
I agree with some reviewers that the book drags in places, but the central premise is so good and well conjured that it's hard to really begrudge it that much.
