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j_greer 's review for:
Nightmare Alley
by William Lindsay Gresham
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.