745. Nights at the Circus

Nights at the Circus
Angela Carter
1984

Around 300 pages

After such a horrifying entry, I was going to run happily into the arms of whoever was next, even if it was Thomas Pynchon. Thankfully, it's Angela Carter. I'm kind of over the surreal nightlife romps, but I'll take anything that isn't covered by drawings of penises.

The novel focuses on the life and exploits of Sophie Fevvers, a winged woman raised in a brothel and hatched from an egg laid by unknown parents. At the beginning of the narrative, she has become a celebrated aerialist. She captivates the young journalist Jack Walser, who runs away with the circus and falls into a world that he's not prepared for.

So this was a modern twist on a fairy tale, and I thought she wove in the elements of magic realism into the story well. It's a bizarre, erotic, and outlandish world. Personally, I like feeling a bit more grounded, but I can understand the appeal of this strange flight of fancy.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

In 2006, it was adapted for the stage by Tom Morris and Emma Rice for the Kneehigh Theatre Company.

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