Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Circus: Fantasy Under the Big Top
by
Ekaterina Sedia ,
Peter Straub (Goodreads Author), Jessica Reisman (Goodreads Author), Eric Witchey (Goodreads Author), Genevieve Valentine, Ken Scholes, Barry B. Longyear, Kij Johnson
,
more…
Introducing stories of circuses traditional and bizarre, futuristic and steeped in tradition, joyful and heart-breaking! And among the actors you will find old friends, be they sad clowns or free-spirited gymnasts, as well as new ones - mammoths, mechanical piano men, and things best not described at all. Come in, come all, and enjoy the literary show unfolding!
Paperback, 310 pages
Published
September 5th 2012
by Prime Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
213)
Like many collections, I found I enjoyed some of the stories here more than others. I originally picked up this book because I have always had a fascination with circuses and carnivals. I've always been curious about the kinds of people who tie their lives to a circus, and also find the history of circuses and carnivals to be interesting. I also ordered this book for my library's collection and snapped it up when it hit the shelf ...... I'll be returning it tomorrow to give other people the oppo...more
Circus: Fantasy Under the Big Top does a wonderful job of presenting variations on a theme without falling into repetition, or rehashing old tropes and cliches. None of the stories left me completely cold (as can sometimes happen with anthologies), and there were a few truly standout tales in the bunch, namely E. Catherine Tobler's Vanishing Act and Genevieve Valentine's Study, for Solo Piano. I also very much enjoyed Scream Angel by Douglas Smith, Making My Entrance Again with My Usual Flair by...more
As with any anthology, some stories work for an individual more than others. Some stories grip you, and some evade your snares. Some stories embrace you, while others feels like a kissing a dead fish. In any case, this was quite a wonderful collection. Just think about it -- the range of what "circus" tales can actually be is quite vast -- optimistic, hopeful and childlike; dark, life-wasted in a circus, sideshow freaks mistreated, etc.; otherworldly, creatures making up the show from places out...more
Ah, this is why I buy anthologies. This is a good selection of stories. Will you love 'em all? No, but they're all good, in one way or another. This collection deals with circuses of a fantastical nature, but it's not all fun and games in the midway. These circus things are dangerous. Get your cotton candy or funnel cake but keep an eye on that clown...that one...right there. He's not right.
It's definitely a fun read. Of course a common thread like circuses is a license for surrealism. There are
...more
This is a book of short stories, all involving the circus.
I'll pause while you digest that.
I'll admit, I skipped one or two, and the vast majority of what I've read I've already forgotten, but there was a story or two in there that really struck me. Dealing with animal extinction, futuristic living, how your actions determine the path you're on...as I said, some have stayed with me.
And I sort of wish the most gruesome of those would leave me.
I'll pause while you digest that.
I'll admit, I skipped one or two, and the vast majority of what I've read I've already forgotten, but there was a story or two in there that really struck me. Dealing with animal extinction, futuristic living, how your actions determine the path you're on...as I said, some have stayed with me.
And I sort of wish the most gruesome of those would leave me.
My favorites:
“Vanishing Act" by E. Catherine Tobler
“The Vostrasovitch Clockwork Animal and Traveling Forest Show at the End of the World" by Jessica Reisman
“Study, for Solo Piano" by Genevieve Valentine
“Making My Entrance Again with My Usual Flair" by Ken Scholes
“26 Monkeys, also the Abyss" by Kij Johnson
“Courting the Queen of Sheba" by Amanda C. Davis
“Circus Circus" by Eric M. Witchey
“Phantasy Moste Grotesk" by Felicity Dowker
“Vanishing Act" by E. Catherine Tobler
“The Vostrasovitch Clockwork Animal and Traveling Forest Show at the End of the World" by Jessica Reisman
“Study, for Solo Piano" by Genevieve Valentine
“Making My Entrance Again with My Usual Flair" by Ken Scholes
“26 Monkeys, also the Abyss" by Kij Johnson
“Courting the Queen of Sheba" by Amanda C. Davis
“Circus Circus" by Eric M. Witchey
“Phantasy Moste Grotesk" by Felicity Dowker
There were some stories I liked better than others, but overall the writing was so-so. I guess it was a disappointment after reading The Night Circus, which was extremely well-written and more carefully crafted. Some of the stories in this book came across as first drafts.
As with most anthologies, there were stories I loved and stories I felt ambivalent about. All in all, a great random library find for me!
Interesting, but not gripping.
Abandoned- I just didn't have the time for it, but I'll probably pick it up in the new year. I did like what I read, however.
May 19, 2013
Kyra
marked it as to-read
May 19, 2013
Morgan
marked it as to-read
May 18, 2013
Asia Alexandra
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2013
Kasane Teto
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Sara Lee
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Meishuu
marked it as to-read
May 12, 2013
Anthony Hotchkiss
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
Kimberly Tsan
marked it as to-read
May 02, 2013
Katherine
is currently reading it
Apr 24, 2013
Emily
marked it as to-read
Apr 21, 2013
Jeannine
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2013
(غادة) Rainy
marked it as to-read
Apr 17, 2013
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Apr 14, 2013
Jin Yi
marked it as to-read
Apr 14, 2013
Mandy
marked it as to-read
Apr 10, 2013
Jake
marked it as to-read
Apr 09, 2013
Chris
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
