Geeks Know a Thing or Two About Love
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I really wanted to love this novel, especially because it was my choice for this month's Book Club. The premise is brilliant: a bald, albino dwarf by the name of Olympia Binewski retells the tragic story of her family of circus freaks. Her parents, Al and Lily, exposed each of Lily's pregnancies to chemicals and poisons, in the hope of landing deformed and freakish children. The idea was to use the children to attract large crowds to their travelling circus. Eldest child Arturo The Aquaman is also the tyranical leader of a cult; Elly and Iphy are the siamese twins talented with the piano and prostitution; and Chick is the family's timid junior with telekinetic powers.
Although some of the squeamishest passages were also the funniest, they were counterbalanced by passages that seemed irrelevant to the story and which were a little boring. The language veered between the colourful & baroque to the downright high-school creative writing level. The most important events happened too quickly, as if the author had lost interest and just wanted to get closer to the end, which ended up matching my own feelings.
A recommended read only if you have a thing for carnies or belong to an "unusual" family.
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My favourite book ever.
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I cannot say enough beautiful things about this book. I honestly can say it moved me in a way no other book has ever done it. The entire freakshow-world is described as if it is as normal as anything else, which is what makes the book so moving. Olympia and her family are described as normal as a nuclear family. They are proud of being freaks. You cannot help but symphathize with Olympia in whatever she does or feels. And somehow it all seems quite normal.
I borrowed this book from the library, but after reading it, I just HAD to buy it, coz I could not imagine my home without it. It just wouldn't be right.
So if you think you could enjoy the plot of this book, it is certainly worth a read!
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Fantastic Book
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I really cannot recommend this book highly enough. I was completely drawn in to the story and could hardly put it down. Very clever and original and I will definitely seek out further offering from this wonderful author.
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A stunningly fantastic read
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I was recommended this book by a work colleague and I'll listen to her recommendations again. An absolutely fantastic story, poignant and extremely funny. Characters in this book actually made me feel physically angry, while others made me want to cry. And oh the description of The Fist... hee hee hee. Read Geek Love you won't be disappointed.
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The true nature of love shines throughout this book
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I first heard about this book via a song called 'Geek Love' by a band called Bang Bang Machine. (as far as I'm aware, the song is based on the book) The song talks of what is to 'love but never be loved'. Years later I came across the book, and from the minute I picked it up I couldn't but it down.
It really does explore the nature of human relationships - of love, of family, and of societies non-acceptance of anything not of the 'norm'. Katherine Dunn really has written a powerful account of what it is to love somebody/something and never really be loved in return. And although the book is centered around 'geeks' it tells a story of human emotion that everyone - even perfect looking humans can relate too.
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