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Circus Folk & Village Freaks
Sanyal explores the absurd and the bizarre with witty undertones through tales of transmogrification of men to monsters, animals to women, speaking truths of various lives and their travesties. A texture of swift worldly-wisdom underscores the focus on freaks, but often leaves an invisible message of a reverse lens on the rest of the world.
~Rochelle Potkar, poet and Author of 'Arithmetic of Breasts and Other Tales' Aparna Sanyal Upadhyaya is one of those rare people who are just as funny on the page and in a poem as they are in person. I laughed aloud many times reading about the shenanigans in these charming and quirky twisted tales.
- Chandrahas Chaudhary, Author of Arzee the Dwarf and Clouds Meet the beautiful people of the Circus, and the freaks who live in the Village next to them. Mangled, jangled, misunderstood, all find place in the rich tapestry of this book. Siamese twins separate to lose half a heart each, and find snake-man and tiger-taming lovers. A man bitten by a crocodile becomes a God, and a Devadasi woos the entire countryside with her culinary artistry. Fates intertwined lead sometimes to tragedy, sometimes happy summits of fame. A clown finds his place in Hollywood and mute animals break unspeakable chains. A twisted man falls in love with a mirror and a white man is unmade by the Indian sun. In this book are tales for every season and every reason. Tales of human depravity that take innocent lives, and of a murderers’ insanity that follows, a fitting revenge by nature, red in tooth and claw. These stories are told in the form of narrative poems in rhyming couplets. Look inside and you will find, you have been to this Village. Surely, you have been to this Circus too.
~Rochelle Potkar, poet and Author of 'Arithmetic of Breasts and Other Tales' Aparna Sanyal Upadhyaya is one of those rare people who are just as funny on the page and in a poem as they are in person. I laughed aloud many times reading about the shenanigans in these charming and quirky twisted tales.
- Chandrahas Chaudhary, Author of Arzee the Dwarf and Clouds Meet the beautiful people of the Circus, and the freaks who live in the Village next to them. Mangled, jangled, misunderstood, all find place in the rich tapestry of this book. Siamese twins separate to lose half a heart each, and find snake-man and tiger-taming lovers. A man bitten by a crocodile becomes a God, and a Devadasi woos the entire countryside with her culinary artistry. Fates intertwined lead sometimes to tragedy, sometimes happy summits of fame. A clown finds his place in Hollywood and mute animals break unspeakable chains. A twisted man falls in love with a mirror and a white man is unmade by the Indian sun. In this book are tales for every season and every reason. Tales of human depravity that take innocent lives, and of a murderers’ insanity that follows, a fitting revenge by nature, red in tooth and claw. These stories are told in the form of narrative poems in rhyming couplets. Look inside and you will find, you have been to this Village. Surely, you have been to this Circus too.
155 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2018
11 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 20, 2019
Full review on my blog:
https://medium.com/kiranmayi-g/book-r...
Circus Folk and Village Freaks as the title signifies is collection of 18 tales, of imaginary villages with weird people and bizarre humans ultimately ending up in a circus. The tales are written in poem style, with a rhythm to the lines. The stories though with a consistent theme of a village or circus or both, touch multiple issues like homosexuality, infidelity, superstitions, greed and the list goes on. The beautiful illustrations at the beginning of each story also gives a quick summary of the story ahead.
The stories at the beginning of the book kind of shocks the reader with their unconventional content and hence mid way through the book, the reader kind of gets the mood of the book. There is a story of a crocodile man, twins with conjoined hearts, a devadasi discovering her cooking skills, a snake man and a clown finding their place in the circus, the stories are as varied and bizarre as it can get. However, the struggle of the protagonist, in finding their place in this big bad world is the soul of each story.
On the surface, each story seems to be narrating a fairy tale, a story too hard to believe and too strange to happen in reality. But the heart touching vibe is what remains with the reader at the end of each of them. Like how a heart may be physically separated but the feelings it arouses will never be the same if divided!
Starting from the gorgeous cover to the characters in each story to their themes, the book feels very special. The poetic style is so soothing and equally fascinating. I could only wish the author explored more backdrops for the stories. Pick this one to be taken on a journey of multiple emotions and each story is guaranteed to leave a string mark and a beautiful message.
https://medium.com/kiranmayi-g/book-r...
Circus Folk and Village Freaks as the title signifies is collection of 18 tales, of imaginary villages with weird people and bizarre humans ultimately ending up in a circus. The tales are written in poem style, with a rhythm to the lines. The stories though with a consistent theme of a village or circus or both, touch multiple issues like homosexuality, infidelity, superstitions, greed and the list goes on. The beautiful illustrations at the beginning of each story also gives a quick summary of the story ahead.
The stories at the beginning of the book kind of shocks the reader with their unconventional content and hence mid way through the book, the reader kind of gets the mood of the book. There is a story of a crocodile man, twins with conjoined hearts, a devadasi discovering her cooking skills, a snake man and a clown finding their place in the circus, the stories are as varied and bizarre as it can get. However, the struggle of the protagonist, in finding their place in this big bad world is the soul of each story.
On the surface, each story seems to be narrating a fairy tale, a story too hard to believe and too strange to happen in reality. But the heart touching vibe is what remains with the reader at the end of each of them. Like how a heart may be physically separated but the feelings it arouses will never be the same if divided!
Starting from the gorgeous cover to the characters in each story to their themes, the book feels very special. The poetic style is so soothing and equally fascinating. I could only wish the author explored more backdrops for the stories. Pick this one to be taken on a journey of multiple emotions and each story is guaranteed to leave a string mark and a beautiful message.
November 10, 2021
Absolutely stunned by the creativity and out of the box writing.
These are 18 twisted tales, each narrated as a Tail rhyme (end rhyme) poetry.
The book publishing quality is top notch, the cover attractive, the tales interesting, narration innovative, illustration for each tale apt and creative.
Kudos for a great debut.
Though after a while, the poetry pattern was pretty predictable, expecting a twist in the end.
Still it was fun and enjoyable.
P.S.: Looks are deceptive. Don't gift it to kids, as it deals with a little sexuality.
These are 18 twisted tales, each narrated as a Tail rhyme (end rhyme) poetry.
The book publishing quality is top notch, the cover attractive, the tales interesting, narration innovative, illustration for each tale apt and creative.
Kudos for a great debut.
Though after a while, the poetry pattern was pretty predictable, expecting a twist in the end.
Still it was fun and enjoyable.
P.S.: Looks are deceptive. Don't gift it to kids, as it deals with a little sexuality.
May 28, 2019
Oh! What a book this to behold!
All the stories from bottom of her heart she told!!
From her 18 twisted tales,
For humanity She’s constantly ringing the warring bells!!
In her book she bought all the ugly truths,
It’s up to you what you must leave what you must took!
Circus Folk & Village Freaks what a book it is!!
I must tell you, that’s the book you don’t want to miss!!
What a book it is!! What a dark, funny, twisted, sad, happy, beautiful and ugly book it is!!
Ratings!
Absolutely DUCKING!!! 5 Star!!!
Do you hear me!!! Absolutely DUCKING!!! 5 Star!!!
One of the most twisted and darkest book I have read so far!!
Thank you so much Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal for sending the review copy of your book to me!
The book is brilliant.
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a book with 18 tales with each it’s unique flavor.
From the Pablo the imp to Urvasi, from the Sneak man Shiva to unfortunate Vishu everyone has something to tell you!!! Each story is presented in the form of poetry. Each with its own unique characters and settings yet all are somehow interconnected to the same circus and it’s folk from same Village and it’s Freaks. All the stories will lead you to the dark side of our world like caste, racism, class issues, superstitions, lack of feminism, untamed sexual desires and what not?
I love the writing style as I haven’t read anything like that before, I love the brilliant word play, but what I love most about the book is it’s boldness. Each tale will cut through your heart and leave you in bloody aww!!
Again !!!
DUCKING!!! 5 Star!!!
A strong recommendation for all the Book lovers!!
December 24, 2020
This book is freaking good!
Totally quirky, unique, different and vivid!
*Why I loved this book:
✅18 stories, yes with a twist in each!
✅Deals with LGBT, freaks (which the society considers like dwarfs, conjoined twins and many more!), acceptance, quirky characters, sexuality, societal norms, feminism, circus life, fantasy, mental health, marriage, and so many important issues that are not openly talked about
✅stories are told in poetry format(which is rare to find in Indian literature)
✅the stories are being told in a wholesome manner, with clear cut beginnings and endings
✅The usage of words is rich, lyrical and the way the author rhymes is just on spot!
✅Reading this will break you, nurture you, bring out your most worst fears regarding human nature, and you will find it liberating towards the end of each story!
✅The efforts put in to rhyme each and every line haven't ruin the flow of any story which is the most surprising element I have found in this particular read. Kudos to the author!
✅The selection of words is quite bold, open, honest and straightforward
✅ Truly appreciate talking about sexuality in such vivid descriptions
*Some of the tales seem too short while a few seem a bit imaginary. Agree to disagree, maybe that adds more charm to the book!
Totally quirky, unique, different and vivid!
*Why I loved this book:
✅18 stories, yes with a twist in each!
✅Deals with LGBT, freaks (which the society considers like dwarfs, conjoined twins and many more!), acceptance, quirky characters, sexuality, societal norms, feminism, circus life, fantasy, mental health, marriage, and so many important issues that are not openly talked about
✅stories are told in poetry format(which is rare to find in Indian literature)
✅the stories are being told in a wholesome manner, with clear cut beginnings and endings
✅The usage of words is rich, lyrical and the way the author rhymes is just on spot!
✅Reading this will break you, nurture you, bring out your most worst fears regarding human nature, and you will find it liberating towards the end of each story!
✅The efforts put in to rhyme each and every line haven't ruin the flow of any story which is the most surprising element I have found in this particular read. Kudos to the author!
✅The selection of words is quite bold, open, honest and straightforward
✅ Truly appreciate talking about sexuality in such vivid descriptions
*Some of the tales seem too short while a few seem a bit imaginary. Agree to disagree, maybe that adds more charm to the book!
November 30, 2019
Circus Folk and Village Freaks is a great collection of narrative poems that build eighteen twisted tales over a wide range of realistic settings, themes, and issues. Yet every tale is so different and gracefully connects the main idea with social relevance, ignorance, and inhumanity that the heartstrings are bound to be touched. From LGBTQ+ representation to mental health exploration, the book compels the reader to feel connected to even the most contorted of stories because, in this poetry-meets-anecdotes, everything is surprising but not so shocking with the truth wrapped around it all.
Recommended to all those who want to pick up something different and diverse but not at all deceitful.
Disclaimer: I received a physical copy of this via the author herself but that, in no way, affects my rating and/or review. Thank you, Aparna Sanyal!
August 7, 2019
Let me start by saying… yes it is a collection of 18 poems.
And poems and I? They don’t work well together, I was so hesitant going in and reading this book… wasn’t even sure of how I will be able to review…
The cover tho… my only motivation and then I started to read… (also would I dare Chandrahas quote made me want to read even more!) There might be this question tho: You don’t understand poems, then how this? What this? and how did I like this?
Let’s rephrase.
They are 18 stories and not poems, just very lyrical… I took it as a musical! FUN MUSICAL…
A beginning, an end, and that damn twist! IT KEEPS YOU HOOKED! I LOVE THEM NICE TWISTS AND TURNS…
It’s so damn funny! You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at times and paragraphs, you’ll find yourself invested in the story as much as any other novel :D It’s so darn good!
It deals with self-acceptance, LGBTQ and so many topics that a lot of books/ stories are still not being able to express as well as this one did!
The format is unique and I LOVE IT.
The content is bold and out there, which makes me love this book even more!
What the book is about?
In this book are tales for every season and every reason. Tales of human depravity that take innocent lives, and of a murderers’ insanity that follows, fitting revenge by nature, red in tooth and claw.
These stories are told in the form of narrative poems in rhyming couplets.
Look inside and you will find, you have been to this Village. Surely, you have been to this Circus too.
And poems and I? They don’t work well together, I was so hesitant going in and reading this book… wasn’t even sure of how I will be able to review…
The cover tho… my only motivation and then I started to read… (also would I dare Chandrahas quote made me want to read even more!) There might be this question tho: You don’t understand poems, then how this? What this? and how did I like this?
Let’s rephrase.
They are 18 stories and not poems, just very lyrical… I took it as a musical! FUN MUSICAL…
A beginning, an end, and that damn twist! IT KEEPS YOU HOOKED! I LOVE THEM NICE TWISTS AND TURNS…
It’s so damn funny! You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at times and paragraphs, you’ll find yourself invested in the story as much as any other novel :D It’s so darn good!
It deals with self-acceptance, LGBTQ and so many topics that a lot of books/ stories are still not being able to express as well as this one did!
The format is unique and I LOVE IT.
The content is bold and out there, which makes me love this book even more!
What the book is about?
In this book are tales for every season and every reason. Tales of human depravity that take innocent lives, and of a murderers’ insanity that follows, fitting revenge by nature, red in tooth and claw.
These stories are told in the form of narrative poems in rhyming couplets.
Look inside and you will find, you have been to this Village. Surely, you have been to this Circus too.
May 20, 2019
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a collection of poems themed around eccentricities of village people and circus freaks. The beauty of this collection is that the narration goes way beyond poetry writing and weaves an impactful short story through each poem.
The poems are in the form of lyrical couplets and the author has done a wonderful job in maintaining the rhythm through the very end. There wasn’t a single instance I lost track or I was bored. The writing is fast paced, high energy, refreshing and innovative. Some poems had a surprising end, some made you ponder and some were pure fiction that flew you to wonderlands. The illustrations were bang on with the theme and it added to the oomph factor of the already mesmerizing hardcover.
The USP of the book, for me, was the writing style. The author has used words that surpass my vocabulary but fit in perfectly with the theme of the poem. The mix of dark humor with thrill and suspense was bang on. Each poem carried an underlying meaning and a unique yet contemporary theme. In one sentence – the book is a successful marriage between fantasy fiction and social issues that ail today’s world. The peculiarity of each character is tied closely with issues such as homosexuality, patriarchy, feminism, societal acceptance, body shamming etc. The collection is sure going to stir your emotions and leave you wondering.
Thanks to the author for sharing her work. A refreshing read amidst the tons of romance/drama fiction I have been reading lately.
The poems are in the form of lyrical couplets and the author has done a wonderful job in maintaining the rhythm through the very end. There wasn’t a single instance I lost track or I was bored. The writing is fast paced, high energy, refreshing and innovative. Some poems had a surprising end, some made you ponder and some were pure fiction that flew you to wonderlands. The illustrations were bang on with the theme and it added to the oomph factor of the already mesmerizing hardcover.
The USP of the book, for me, was the writing style. The author has used words that surpass my vocabulary but fit in perfectly with the theme of the poem. The mix of dark humor with thrill and suspense was bang on. Each poem carried an underlying meaning and a unique yet contemporary theme. In one sentence – the book is a successful marriage between fantasy fiction and social issues that ail today’s world. The peculiarity of each character is tied closely with issues such as homosexuality, patriarchy, feminism, societal acceptance, body shamming etc. The collection is sure going to stir your emotions and leave you wondering.
Thanks to the author for sharing her work. A refreshing read amidst the tons of romance/drama fiction I have been reading lately.
July 16, 2019
Talking about the book, this books consist of 18 twisted and mind blowing tales. It's a poetry book, but the author had beautifully written the poetries with a short story. The tales are so interesting and refreshing that it will leave you spellbound. I personally enjoyed this a lot. The stories consists of some scenes from village and other from circus. I didn't expect this to be so good. It surpasses my expectations. Moreover, the vocabulary used by the author is inquisitive. Tales are written with a unique innovation of words and stories. The tales are unique and wonderful. Additionally, the illustrations in this book (before every chapter) and on the cover was certainly a cherry on the top. I will definitely recommend each and everyone to read this extraordinary piece of work by @aparnasanyalwrites . This book is definitely going to my 2019 favorites list. Kudos to the author for writing such an amazing book.
July 11, 2019
Ever been to a circus? You get to meet the most amusing and exciting of characters there, showing tricks and games that fill our hearts with joy.
Sanyal's collection is about those circus people who, just like you and me, have a story, albeit a painful one sometimes. The dwarf rejected by his family, the girl with moustaches trying to fit in, or the jolly and happy go lucky old man who is always spreading cheer, ever wondered what their life is like?
.
Village folks, the believers of tradition and customs. But nature doesn't follow the rules made my men. You get to meet such characters too, flowing in the direction opposite to the prescribed one and suffering in the hands of man because of that.
.
'Circus Folk and Village Freaks' is a collection of stories written in verses. This collection has something for each one of you. I especially, loved the beginning and ending of each story- precise, fluid and graceful.
Sanyal's collection is about those circus people who, just like you and me, have a story, albeit a painful one sometimes. The dwarf rejected by his family, the girl with moustaches trying to fit in, or the jolly and happy go lucky old man who is always spreading cheer, ever wondered what their life is like?
.
Village folks, the believers of tradition and customs. But nature doesn't follow the rules made my men. You get to meet such characters too, flowing in the direction opposite to the prescribed one and suffering in the hands of man because of that.
.
'Circus Folk and Village Freaks' is a collection of stories written in verses. This collection has something for each one of you. I especially, loved the beginning and ending of each story- precise, fluid and graceful.
August 3, 2019
The cover of the book is gorgeous and the book is a hardbound. The title of the book is very intriguing and the theme is quite similar to the literary fiction tales. A collection of short stories is very pleasing to the mind of a reader and this book doesn't fail to amuse me. Each story tells us a story of a character of the circus and the village alternatively in the form of couplets. The characters have been mentioned in detailed and all their minute details have helped in making every tale more interesting. The poetess has explored heterosexuality, love and eroticism in certain pieces and it's done very subtly. The language used may be tad bit difficult to understand but it serves as a cheery to the top of the cake that the poetess has served. The couplets rhyme perfectly and the book extremely good. I would love to read more from the Aparna ma'am.
June 10, 2019
RATING: 3.75/5
I had spotted the book here on bookstagram a couple of times and enamoured by that gorgeous cover and the unique synopsis had immediately added it to my wishlist. I was elated when the author approached me, telling me that she would be happy to send me a copy if I was interested. I, of course, instantly said yes. I read it towards the end of May, it was in fact my last read for that month. But I have been so busy with moving and travelling that I only now finally got the time to write a post about it. I am happy to attest that the tales inside the book are just mesmerizing as its cover. I rarely read structured poetry these days as more often than not I find the rhyme laboured and shoehorned. That was not the case with this book. The narrative poems were highly engaging and effortless to read. They are suffused with great wit and charm.
The stories are all highly unconventional and frequently subversive, to say the least. They play with prejudices, stereotypes and societal norms constructing new ways of looking at things. It questions a lot of prevalent beliefs and seeks to dismantle modern myths. While the structure reminded a bit of Vikram Seth, especially Arion and the Dolphin & Beastly Tales from Here and There, but the content is definitely more mature. The small illustrations at the beginning also added to the overall beauty of the book. Another round of editing to polish the plotting of the stories and smooth out loose ends concerning the rhyme would just make it perfect. My thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read her wonderful work. And I look forward to what she comes up with next.
I had spotted the book here on bookstagram a couple of times and enamoured by that gorgeous cover and the unique synopsis had immediately added it to my wishlist. I was elated when the author approached me, telling me that she would be happy to send me a copy if I was interested. I, of course, instantly said yes. I read it towards the end of May, it was in fact my last read for that month. But I have been so busy with moving and travelling that I only now finally got the time to write a post about it. I am happy to attest that the tales inside the book are just mesmerizing as its cover. I rarely read structured poetry these days as more often than not I find the rhyme laboured and shoehorned. That was not the case with this book. The narrative poems were highly engaging and effortless to read. They are suffused with great wit and charm.
The stories are all highly unconventional and frequently subversive, to say the least. They play with prejudices, stereotypes and societal norms constructing new ways of looking at things. It questions a lot of prevalent beliefs and seeks to dismantle modern myths. While the structure reminded a bit of Vikram Seth, especially Arion and the Dolphin & Beastly Tales from Here and There, but the content is definitely more mature. The small illustrations at the beginning also added to the overall beauty of the book. Another round of editing to polish the plotting of the stories and smooth out loose ends concerning the rhyme would just make it perfect. My thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read her wonderful work. And I look forward to what she comes up with next.
May 23, 2019
The Circus Folk &Village freaks is one of the best poetry book I have ever read.
This book is a collection of 18 tales written in poetry form. The tales are about Feminism , cruelty of racism , homophobia and more . I am amazed by the writing of the author . She has rhythm her voice in a great and creative way .
The book is a page turner .
The tales are ' twisted ' because there are twists in every story . Actually the tales are the hardest truth of everyone 's life .
Not only the poetries , but also there are some amazing illustrations ,which have given the poetries warmth .(swipe left and please your eyes )
You can see the amazing cover already .
This book is a collection of 18 tales written in poetry form. The tales are about Feminism , cruelty of racism , homophobia and more . I am amazed by the writing of the author . She has rhythm her voice in a great and creative way .
The book is a page turner .
The tales are ' twisted ' because there are twists in every story . Actually the tales are the hardest truth of everyone 's life .
Not only the poetries , but also there are some amazing illustrations ,which have given the poetries warmth .(swipe left and please your eyes )
You can see the amazing cover already .
May 20, 2019
Truly outlandish tales but not-so-outlandish sentiment behind it.
Eighteen twisted tales, as the cover says. Eighteen stories of freaks and folks of the strange village and the circus that arrived at its shore. What a beautiful read! What a magically concocted collection of stories, eerie and chilling, each with a message on life's hardest truths, of caste distinctions and segregation in a village separated from the rest of the world, mired in superstitions and rigid beliefs. Tales that celebrate as well as condemn oddities. The village shuns and the circus welcomes, two sides of the same coin. Each cannot thrive without the other. The circus-master did remind me of P. T. Barnum. Also, the tales have been written in the form of poems, rhyming beautifully, which is a stellar idea. I say, read this book whether you like poetry or not, for you will rarely have the fortune of experiencing something like this. Its a must-have.
Eighteen twisted tales, as the cover says. Eighteen stories of freaks and folks of the strange village and the circus that arrived at its shore. What a beautiful read! What a magically concocted collection of stories, eerie and chilling, each with a message on life's hardest truths, of caste distinctions and segregation in a village separated from the rest of the world, mired in superstitions and rigid beliefs. Tales that celebrate as well as condemn oddities. The village shuns and the circus welcomes, two sides of the same coin. Each cannot thrive without the other. The circus-master did remind me of P. T. Barnum. Also, the tales have been written in the form of poems, rhyming beautifully, which is a stellar idea. I say, read this book whether you like poetry or not, for you will rarely have the fortune of experiencing something like this. Its a must-have.
April 4, 2022
Brilliant! Loved it. The poetic style, the quaint themes , the layout everything. But towards the end it did become repetitive and a tad bit tiresome. Looking forward to more from this author.
July 17, 2019
I'm not a big poetry lover but I wanted to read this book because of two reasons - I love weirdness in books and I love to read about circuses. And this book definitely did not disappoint! .
.
Circus folk and village freaks is a collection of 18 poems that focuses on various themes, with a touch of fantasy. A man who turns into a reptile, a forbidden love that leads to darkness, a girl with beard - the poems are about people who are different, queer and weird; not so accepted by the society. And the rhyming scheme was so great, I truly enjoyed reading it!! On top, reading the poems aloud added to the fun of reading more. .
.
All of the poems were my favorite. And I loved how they all were interconnected in some way , the end poem merging the whole book into one. It was exciting and thrilling and just so much fun. I can well say that I had a big grin on my face the whole time I read the book!! Laden with beautiful illustrations, this was a great reading experience!
.
Circus folk and village freaks is a collection of 18 poems that focuses on various themes, with a touch of fantasy. A man who turns into a reptile, a forbidden love that leads to darkness, a girl with beard - the poems are about people who are different, queer and weird; not so accepted by the society. And the rhyming scheme was so great, I truly enjoyed reading it!! On top, reading the poems aloud added to the fun of reading more. .
.
All of the poems were my favorite. And I loved how they all were interconnected in some way , the end poem merging the whole book into one. It was exciting and thrilling and just so much fun. I can well say that I had a big grin on my face the whole time I read the book!! Laden with beautiful illustrations, this was a great reading experience!
May 17, 2019
Circus Folk and Village Freaks is a rich and witty collection of poems that explore folktales, circus stories, mystical tales that we have come across in our childhood or in some point of our lives.
First off, this is one gem of a book and I absolutely devoured all the tales at one sitting. Overflowing with humor, suspense and gory the poems are like bedtime stories for us,elders. The tales , definetly twisted and absurd donot fail to press upon us an understanding of the lives of the people who are considered abnormal and are often abhorred or pitied.
The poet creates a circus of tales filled with forbidden love between two men, a woman and a piece of object and a person's love with his own appearance.The Siamese twins that search for a home in others and the Devadasi who feeds a whole village are crafted with such sagacity that it makes you crave for more. Sanyal also dares to touch various themes such as racism, homophobia and bullying in her stories in a very casual yet meaningful manner that is sure to leave a mark on everyone who reads it.
The illustrations are a work of art and really helps us picture the characters even better.
All in all, Circus Folk and Village Freaks is a book that we can all connect to and not only enjoy at the same time but feel its impact too.
First off, this is one gem of a book and I absolutely devoured all the tales at one sitting. Overflowing with humor, suspense and gory the poems are like bedtime stories for us,elders. The tales , definetly twisted and absurd donot fail to press upon us an understanding of the lives of the people who are considered abnormal and are often abhorred or pitied.
The poet creates a circus of tales filled with forbidden love between two men, a woman and a piece of object and a person's love with his own appearance.The Siamese twins that search for a home in others and the Devadasi who feeds a whole village are crafted with such sagacity that it makes you crave for more. Sanyal also dares to touch various themes such as racism, homophobia and bullying in her stories in a very casual yet meaningful manner that is sure to leave a mark on everyone who reads it.
The illustrations are a work of art and really helps us picture the characters even better.
All in all, Circus Folk and Village Freaks is a book that we can all connect to and not only enjoy at the same time but feel its impact too.
September 8, 2019
Emotional, thought provoking.
.
This has a collection of poems about the village misfits and freaks, some become successful and some are damned. Intentionally or unintentionally, most of them ends up in circus, where they find similar people, love them and find a family when their own family fails to support and love them. The mindset of people when it comes to some name or nature takes a sudden twist in some of the poems - which I really liked.
It is a must read.
.
This has a collection of poems about the village misfits and freaks, some become successful and some are damned. Intentionally or unintentionally, most of them ends up in circus, where they find similar people, love them and find a family when their own family fails to support and love them. The mindset of people when it comes to some name or nature takes a sudden twist in some of the poems - which I really liked.
It is a must read.
September 4, 2020
This was just not for me. I really couldn't connect with the stories even though it had some great themes. Again, this is probably a me thing :/
May 26, 2019
Honest rating: 4.5 stars
Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy of the book. I’m truly grateful. :)
The first thing you’ll notice about this book is its stunning cover. The second thing you’ll notice and one that will leave you in awe is that it is a stunning, sturdy hardcover. And open the book and flip through the pages and you’ll see the third and the fourth things that will intrigue you to no end. These are stories written in couplets! And there are illustrations! Just one glance at the phenomenal artwork and such lovely two-liners, and you’ll simply be bowled over!
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is written by Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal, a detail that you know from the title of this blog post but I want to say it again because of how amazing the writing style is. It is pure storytelling via poetry and each one of these 18 stories has a lesson to teach you. When I realized this, my expectations simply skyrocketed and there was no controlling them. Reading it brought me the realization that yes, sometimes, judging a book by its cover is completely justified. And this somehow brought a sense of peace to that cover-loving person within me.
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a collection of 18 absurd short stories, each intertwined with a central thread that you’ll only realize a while into the third story. Each story tells us about one person who is considered a ‘village freak’ and how their life turned out. Some end up finding acceptance by working in the circus – a place where social ‘freaks’ are welcomed, and some end up living in a different lifestyle, each appropriate for what they want to do.
The biggest reason why I love this book is that every single story packs such a mighty punch that you did not see coming! From the first story, The Strange Case of Subramaniam, The Crocodile Man , in which a man who wrestled with a crocodile ends up show traits of one, to the very last story, The Circus Master , the story of the guy who runs the circus in question, every story has its own lessons in morality and a brand of amazing storytelling.
In their own ways, these stories have their foundations steeped in reality, while exposing the vile nature of invasive society, yet giving us a hopeful glimpse of what could be. You can learn about so many emotions and traits: selfishness, love, companionship, obscurity, joy, debilitating sorrow, self-love and so much more. Some of these stories are uplifting, some grim, some heartbreaking, and some a combination of all three. And when all these come together and show you that the people of these stories are of one world, they paint the realistic picture of a world with different personalities, each living with their own angels and demons.
With acceptance being such a tug of war between different groups of people today, this book tells you in no uncertain terms about why acceptance is needed and what the world is bound to come to if it’s absent. Acceptance is usually pulled back by beliefs and superstition, but break through those and it’s really easy to bring it into your life. Be it acceptance of people of different caste, religion, or sexuality, this book explores all of those while retaining that ache beneath that makes a story so wonderful to read despite the heartbreak.
Not to say that Circus Folk & Village Freaks has only grimness permeating through its stories. There’s humor too – one that is so unexpected, that you simply want to embrace it when you recover. And regardless of how much it warms or breaks your heart, every single one of these stories is amazingly poignant. And that, my friends, is how you do writing. Use that background thread to connect all of them while painting a vivid picture of the backgrounds of everyone who decided to join the Circus, for better or for worse.
The only thing that sort of pricked at my reading sense was that in a few places, the rhymes were a little off or forced. But since I cannot exactly pinpoint where it actually did, I can safely say that they have little or no effect on how I see the book as a whole.
Lovely, lovely, lovely book of 18 ‘twisted’ stories written in the form of rhyming couplets! Highly recommend these to anyone and everyone!
Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy of the book. I’m truly grateful. :)
The first thing you’ll notice about this book is its stunning cover. The second thing you’ll notice and one that will leave you in awe is that it is a stunning, sturdy hardcover. And open the book and flip through the pages and you’ll see the third and the fourth things that will intrigue you to no end. These are stories written in couplets! And there are illustrations! Just one glance at the phenomenal artwork and such lovely two-liners, and you’ll simply be bowled over!
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is written by Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal, a detail that you know from the title of this blog post but I want to say it again because of how amazing the writing style is. It is pure storytelling via poetry and each one of these 18 stories has a lesson to teach you. When I realized this, my expectations simply skyrocketed and there was no controlling them. Reading it brought me the realization that yes, sometimes, judging a book by its cover is completely justified. And this somehow brought a sense of peace to that cover-loving person within me.
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a collection of 18 absurd short stories, each intertwined with a central thread that you’ll only realize a while into the third story. Each story tells us about one person who is considered a ‘village freak’ and how their life turned out. Some end up finding acceptance by working in the circus – a place where social ‘freaks’ are welcomed, and some end up living in a different lifestyle, each appropriate for what they want to do.
The biggest reason why I love this book is that every single story packs such a mighty punch that you did not see coming! From the first story, The Strange Case of Subramaniam, The Crocodile Man , in which a man who wrestled with a crocodile ends up show traits of one, to the very last story, The Circus Master , the story of the guy who runs the circus in question, every story has its own lessons in morality and a brand of amazing storytelling.
In their own ways, these stories have their foundations steeped in reality, while exposing the vile nature of invasive society, yet giving us a hopeful glimpse of what could be. You can learn about so many emotions and traits: selfishness, love, companionship, obscurity, joy, debilitating sorrow, self-love and so much more. Some of these stories are uplifting, some grim, some heartbreaking, and some a combination of all three. And when all these come together and show you that the people of these stories are of one world, they paint the realistic picture of a world with different personalities, each living with their own angels and demons.
With acceptance being such a tug of war between different groups of people today, this book tells you in no uncertain terms about why acceptance is needed and what the world is bound to come to if it’s absent. Acceptance is usually pulled back by beliefs and superstition, but break through those and it’s really easy to bring it into your life. Be it acceptance of people of different caste, religion, or sexuality, this book explores all of those while retaining that ache beneath that makes a story so wonderful to read despite the heartbreak.
Not to say that Circus Folk & Village Freaks has only grimness permeating through its stories. There’s humor too – one that is so unexpected, that you simply want to embrace it when you recover. And regardless of how much it warms or breaks your heart, every single one of these stories is amazingly poignant. And that, my friends, is how you do writing. Use that background thread to connect all of them while painting a vivid picture of the backgrounds of everyone who decided to join the Circus, for better or for worse.
The only thing that sort of pricked at my reading sense was that in a few places, the rhymes were a little off or forced. But since I cannot exactly pinpoint where it actually did, I can safely say that they have little or no effect on how I see the book as a whole.
Lovely, lovely, lovely book of 18 ‘twisted’ stories written in the form of rhyming couplets! Highly recommend these to anyone and everyone!
May 20, 2019
{ Book Recommendation}
~
Circus Folks and Village Freaks.
~
Thank you for the review copy @aparnasanyalwrites :)
~
"That was the day that Jeeva, the Elephant Man,
Uniformly reviled and rejected, began
.
An affair of love, devotion and joyous furore,
With his own reflection, his own eyes, his very core.
.
For the beauty he had hopelessly sought from his kin,
Was a beauty that resided all along, within." - Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal.
~
Please do judge this book by it's cover because it's gorgeous both inside and out. Little did I know that when I'd pick this up, I'd fall head over heels in love with poetry. Poetry hasn't really been my forte but I'd have to thank Aparna for making it all look so easy and I truly commend her thoughtfulness behind creating this book. Circus Folks and Village Freaks is taking the literary world by storm and for all the right reasons.
~
Aparna narrates 18 short tales in the form of Rhyming Couplets and each of these stories revolves around the outcasts who find their homes in a circus. The stories are unique ranging from The Mustachioed Lady to The Metal Eater. I love how she imbibed morals and truthfulness of human nature in these poems, something which cannot be done easily. This book explores sexuality, be it between a woman and a hermaphrodite or between two men who are pelted for simply being in love. Not only these poems were honest but few were also humourous which clearly goes to say how the author has mastered the art of writing.
~
Having been to the Circus when I was a child, this book felt quite nostalgic. The characters are given enough background story to know why they decided to join the Circus. I loved how some of them are interconnected at one point which was a pleasant surprise. This is an important work which dwells on many issues be it psychological or physical, morality, bullying, hatred, karma and the dark side of humanity. This book is something that I would suggest people to read for it is unabashedly real. A splendid work of art, this book is taking poetry to new heights while leaving the readers aching for more.
~
Rating - 5/5.
~
Circus Folks and Village Freaks.
~
Thank you for the review copy @aparnasanyalwrites :)
~
"That was the day that Jeeva, the Elephant Man,
Uniformly reviled and rejected, began
.
An affair of love, devotion and joyous furore,
With his own reflection, his own eyes, his very core.
.
For the beauty he had hopelessly sought from his kin,
Was a beauty that resided all along, within." - Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal.
~
Please do judge this book by it's cover because it's gorgeous both inside and out. Little did I know that when I'd pick this up, I'd fall head over heels in love with poetry. Poetry hasn't really been my forte but I'd have to thank Aparna for making it all look so easy and I truly commend her thoughtfulness behind creating this book. Circus Folks and Village Freaks is taking the literary world by storm and for all the right reasons.
~
Aparna narrates 18 short tales in the form of Rhyming Couplets and each of these stories revolves around the outcasts who find their homes in a circus. The stories are unique ranging from The Mustachioed Lady to The Metal Eater. I love how she imbibed morals and truthfulness of human nature in these poems, something which cannot be done easily. This book explores sexuality, be it between a woman and a hermaphrodite or between two men who are pelted for simply being in love. Not only these poems were honest but few were also humourous which clearly goes to say how the author has mastered the art of writing.
~
Having been to the Circus when I was a child, this book felt quite nostalgic. The characters are given enough background story to know why they decided to join the Circus. I loved how some of them are interconnected at one point which was a pleasant surprise. This is an important work which dwells on many issues be it psychological or physical, morality, bullying, hatred, karma and the dark side of humanity. This book is something that I would suggest people to read for it is unabashedly real. A splendid work of art, this book is taking poetry to new heights while leaving the readers aching for more.
~
Rating - 5/5.
June 20, 2019
Circus Folk & Village Freaks by Aparna Sanyal Upadhyaya consists of 18 tales narrated in the form of prose composed with extensive vocabulary. The words flow in rhythmic beats which instantly made me fall in love with the book.
From fantasy to humor, diverse themes can be found underlying in every tale which set them apart.
There were illustrations at the start of every poem which gives us a gist of what storyline the poem will follow.
I was astonished at the fact that even though the stories were not written in a full novel format, the characters were developed really well and every character had their own quirks which made them relatable.
The lives of all these characters revolve around the circus master and circus and every storyline is connected in one way or another. The book ended with the tale of the circus master that was heart wrenching.
I loved the author's writing style and how she touched sensitive topics and handled them with such care. This is one of those rare books that do not need fancy writing to touch your heart. The concept of story telling in the form of prose is what sets this apart from other poetry books.
All the tales are inspiring in one way or another and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Of all these tales I liked 'Jonas, The Village Firangi' the most.
Though the switching of language was a bit distracting sometimes but overall I have nothing to complain about.
I totally recommend this one.
From fantasy to humor, diverse themes can be found underlying in every tale which set them apart.
There were illustrations at the start of every poem which gives us a gist of what storyline the poem will follow.
I was astonished at the fact that even though the stories were not written in a full novel format, the characters were developed really well and every character had their own quirks which made them relatable.
The lives of all these characters revolve around the circus master and circus and every storyline is connected in one way or another. The book ended with the tale of the circus master that was heart wrenching.
I loved the author's writing style and how she touched sensitive topics and handled them with such care. This is one of those rare books that do not need fancy writing to touch your heart. The concept of story telling in the form of prose is what sets this apart from other poetry books.
All the tales are inspiring in one way or another and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Of all these tales I liked 'Jonas, The Village Firangi' the most.
Though the switching of language was a bit distracting sometimes but overall I have nothing to complain about.
I totally recommend this one.
May 19, 2019
Poetry is an art of weaving emotions and words so as to produce a piece of music in the mind of its readers. This tool has been used in this book to bring out the ugly truths, the naked faces of our society, and lays bare our mutilated humanity.
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a tapestry of 18 folktales bound together in the lyrical form of poems. Each story finds its root in a circus. A circus where bizarre and outcasted people of society come together to entertain and live a life in each other's solace. A circus which comprises a man who becomes a crocodile god, a master who is eaten away by his trained dogs, five sisters with the shared organs, A clown who finds meaning as a porn star, a firangi who gives up on his lavish life to settle in the village, two men dying in love, and the rage of the daredevil dart thrower. Each tale leaves a deep imprint on your mind with the underlying meaning behind the witty writing style. They prick our insides and leave us to contemplate over the circus we live and breed in. It also brings forth the plight of being labeled as 'different.'
The book is one of its kind. It has amazing stories presented in a fantastic manner. One would definitely love to read those poems over and over again. Such is its beauty and magic. They are bitter in tone, making us laugh like a clown, and yet pulling us out of the pool of our indifference to see through the misery our fellow beings live with. I am happy that I got the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Its sheer simplicity and veracity intrigued me. Kudos to the author for putting up such a grand show of circus. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing it.
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a tapestry of 18 folktales bound together in the lyrical form of poems. Each story finds its root in a circus. A circus where bizarre and outcasted people of society come together to entertain and live a life in each other's solace. A circus which comprises a man who becomes a crocodile god, a master who is eaten away by his trained dogs, five sisters with the shared organs, A clown who finds meaning as a porn star, a firangi who gives up on his lavish life to settle in the village, two men dying in love, and the rage of the daredevil dart thrower. Each tale leaves a deep imprint on your mind with the underlying meaning behind the witty writing style. They prick our insides and leave us to contemplate over the circus we live and breed in. It also brings forth the plight of being labeled as 'different.'
The book is one of its kind. It has amazing stories presented in a fantastic manner. One would definitely love to read those poems over and over again. Such is its beauty and magic. They are bitter in tone, making us laugh like a clown, and yet pulling us out of the pool of our indifference to see through the misery our fellow beings live with. I am happy that I got the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Its sheer simplicity and veracity intrigued me. Kudos to the author for putting up such a grand show of circus. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing it.
May 11, 2019
Circus Folks and Village Freaks by Aparna Upadhya is a collection of twisted tales, some more twisted than others, of people who ended up working in a circus because of their unusual characteristics and also of village people with strange lives but through poetries.
While I was a kid, I have visited a lot of circuses. We used to have exhibitions in the city where there had different events. I, like all other kids, used to enjoy it a lot. Now, while reading this book, all memories came flashing back in but for all the different reasons.
This book tells you the backstory of these people and the reason why they were working in a circus. How they were considered freaks and abandoned by their own families and society because they were different and unlike others. It doesn't only talk about circus but also unusual folks in villages.
Some stories will teach you a lesson and some will amaze you with unexpected twists. Some were light and fun read and some were dark and disturbing. Some were extremely bizarre, making me wonder is that even possible?😅.
It will teach you that no matter what's on the outside, we are all same from the inside and deserve to be loved. Does a different nose or dark skin color or too much hair, or too less hair and on and on, makes someone less deserving? These tales have covered a lot of different topics like Racism, Caste system, Homophobia and Physically unsual people.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the verses and the illustrations added to each story were delightful.
I would like to thank The Bookoholics for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
While I was a kid, I have visited a lot of circuses. We used to have exhibitions in the city where there had different events. I, like all other kids, used to enjoy it a lot. Now, while reading this book, all memories came flashing back in but for all the different reasons.
This book tells you the backstory of these people and the reason why they were working in a circus. How they were considered freaks and abandoned by their own families and society because they were different and unlike others. It doesn't only talk about circus but also unusual folks in villages.
Some stories will teach you a lesson and some will amaze you with unexpected twists. Some were light and fun read and some were dark and disturbing. Some were extremely bizarre, making me wonder is that even possible?😅.
It will teach you that no matter what's on the outside, we are all same from the inside and deserve to be loved. Does a different nose or dark skin color or too much hair, or too less hair and on and on, makes someone less deserving? These tales have covered a lot of different topics like Racism, Caste system, Homophobia and Physically unsual people.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the verses and the illustrations added to each story were delightful.
I would like to thank The Bookoholics for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 9, 2019
The book is a collection of eighteen peculiar, odd, funny, curious and offbeat tales written in the form of poem. These tales are set on the themes of animals to unsaid unothodox and people of village who have really freaking stories.
.
.
.
The book is an absolute love to read as its in the form of beautiful lyrical couplets and keeps up the pace. The short stories are rhythmic with a beautiful balance of witty and unusual plots but a delight to read. Each poem leaving a message for the world in the end.
.
.
.
The book covers so many issues of in just an incredible writing. Mainly the dark side of humanity but without actually making it obvious. Which brings me to the choice of words which are really bold yet simple enough impose the meaning of it. I'd like to thank the @aparnasanyalwrites for the thoughtfulness behind creating this book and sending me a review copy.
.
.
.
The book is an absolute love to read as its in the form of beautiful lyrical couplets and keeps up the pace. The short stories are rhythmic with a beautiful balance of witty and unusual plots but a delight to read. Each poem leaving a message for the world in the end.
.
.
.
The book covers so many issues of in just an incredible writing. Mainly the dark side of humanity but without actually making it obvious. Which brings me to the choice of words which are really bold yet simple enough impose the meaning of it. I'd like to thank the @aparnasanyalwrites for the thoughtfulness behind creating this book and sending me a review copy.
July 9, 2019
My rating: 4/5
As mentioned on the cover, this book is an amalgamation of 18 twisted tales written in the form of poetry. I loved the rhyming of the words (which is kind of rare these days).
Coming to the contents, I loved the content and the way each tale is woven. Each tale is about a different character - a snake-man, siamese twins separated, crocodile man, dart women, and many more. Each of these characters was either abandoned by family or separated or refused to be accepted because of their unruly characters or behavior or features. One has to read this fascinating book of tales to know exactly what I'm talking about. Some might say a few of them were out of the world, but nevertheless, they were all magical.
A definite recommendation to people who love poetry and a bit of thrilling experience!
For a full review check out my blog: https://booksandtealife.com/
As mentioned on the cover, this book is an amalgamation of 18 twisted tales written in the form of poetry. I loved the rhyming of the words (which is kind of rare these days).
Coming to the contents, I loved the content and the way each tale is woven. Each tale is about a different character - a snake-man, siamese twins separated, crocodile man, dart women, and many more. Each of these characters was either abandoned by family or separated or refused to be accepted because of their unruly characters or behavior or features. One has to read this fascinating book of tales to know exactly what I'm talking about. Some might say a few of them were out of the world, but nevertheless, they were all magical.
A definite recommendation to people who love poetry and a bit of thrilling experience!
For a full review check out my blog: https://booksandtealife.com/
April 1, 2021
Truth be told I did not enjoy the book.
I think the author does a great job putting poetry and eccentric stories together, a rare combination, the rhymes are perfect as well, but after reading the first few poems others started getting less interesting, and I could not connect to them.
Sorry for a non raving review.
I think the author does a great job putting poetry and eccentric stories together, a rare combination, the rhymes are perfect as well, but after reading the first few poems others started getting less interesting, and I could not connect to them.
Sorry for a non raving review.
July 26, 2019
Circus Folk And Village Freaks is a book which is unique in itself. First of all, the title itself is quite catchy as we all know that it should be the other way around (circus Freaks and Village folks), but the book and its 18 twisted tales challenge the very concept of being a "freak" in relative terms. Where Freaks of the village are uncannily biased, superstitious and greedy, Circus Folks are accepting, rational and selfless. All the stories are narrated in the form of verses which is why I had called this book unique in the first place.
All the stories hum a different tune interlinking the circus with the village, judging the difference from a satirical perspective. I extremely enjoyed reading it for it is highly relatable with the society we currently live in and bravely challenges its sophisticated yet hypocritical stature.
All the stories hum a different tune interlinking the circus with the village, judging the difference from a satirical perspective. I extremely enjoyed reading it for it is highly relatable with the society we currently live in and bravely challenges its sophisticated yet hypocritical stature.
May 12, 2019
"Some truths are too raw to be faced bare,
Except by bards, who truly do care.
But those stories of love, unseen, unwritten,
Are no less vital though they be forbidden."
- Circus Folk & Village Freaks.
.
Blurb - This book contains 18 tales about people who are in a way "not-normal", some have apparent physical anomaly some are different in their inclinations and due to this they are deprived of normal life in some form or the other,some end up very happy some not much,some anomalies like dwrafism are more believable some like the crocodile man were more fictious.All the stories are set in the village background and are set in times and locations of raised social stigmas and all together it gives the book a very rustic feel.
.
Writing style - It is one of the most unique book in terms of writing style. To maintain the rhythmic quality of the verses while not compromising with the storytelling ability and feel of the characters is really commendable.
.
The Look - I know don't judge a book by it's cover but this book is beautiful both inside and out.The hard cover is just so beautiful.
.
My opinion - I really liked this book as it made me think about how much physical appearance or things like that can affect lives,and for me any book which makes me think is amazing,I read to find new perspective and new ideas and this book is a total .
Rating - 4.5⭐/5 for me.
Except by bards, who truly do care.
But those stories of love, unseen, unwritten,
Are no less vital though they be forbidden."
- Circus Folk & Village Freaks.
.
Blurb - This book contains 18 tales about people who are in a way "not-normal", some have apparent physical anomaly some are different in their inclinations and due to this they are deprived of normal life in some form or the other,some end up very happy some not much,some anomalies like dwrafism are more believable some like the crocodile man were more fictious.All the stories are set in the village background and are set in times and locations of raised social stigmas and all together it gives the book a very rustic feel.
.
Writing style - It is one of the most unique book in terms of writing style. To maintain the rhythmic quality of the verses while not compromising with the storytelling ability and feel of the characters is really commendable.
.
The Look - I know don't judge a book by it's cover but this book is beautiful both inside and out.The hard cover is just so beautiful.
.
My opinion - I really liked this book as it made me think about how much physical appearance or things like that can affect lives,and for me any book which makes me think is amazing,I read to find new perspective and new ideas and this book is a total .
Rating - 4.5⭐/5 for me.
May 30, 2019
The poems are witty, unusual, unexpected and different.
I completed this book in one sitting, and i absolutely loved it.
18 couplets written with ease and rythm with all sorts of figures of speech. The book is themed around village and circus and the interaction of humans with objects is well established.
I felt each poem had a story to tell. The usage of words is fresh and placed correctly. The pace of the poems make the book fun and new.
I would say this book is an example of contemporary poetry to me. Also, the issues highlighted through this book is also comendable.
The illustrations are to die for. I love them already and in this particular they were just bang on.
I completed this book in one sitting, and i absolutely loved it.
18 couplets written with ease and rythm with all sorts of figures of speech. The book is themed around village and circus and the interaction of humans with objects is well established.
I felt each poem had a story to tell. The usage of words is fresh and placed correctly. The pace of the poems make the book fun and new.
I would say this book is an example of contemporary poetry to me. Also, the issues highlighted through this book is also comendable.
The illustrations are to die for. I love them already and in this particular they were just bang on.
May 9, 2019
Circus Folk & Village Freaks is a wonderful, heart-warming collection of mystical tales with a mix of suspense and humor! Totally in love with the book!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews