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A Son of the Circus
A Son of the Circus
Author: John Irving
A Hindi film star . . . an American missionary . . . twins separated at birth . . . a dwarf chauffeur . . . a serial killer . . . all are on a collision course. In the tradition of A Prayer for Owen Meany, Irving's characters transcend nationality. They are misfits--coming from everywhere, belonging nowhere. Set almost entirely in India, this is...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780679434962
ISBN-10: 0679434968
Publication Date: 8/16/1994
Pages: 633
Edition: 1st trade ed
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 47

3.6 stars, based on 47 ratings
Publisher: Random House
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Filled with bizarre characters and several threads for the storylines, but why anyone would consider this a science fiction, or even a fantasy, novel is beyond me.

I enjoyed the book and will probably read more of John Irving, but it is not an easy read.
reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
If you like John Irving, I think you may like this. It reads like a murder mystery and of course there are bizarre characters.
reviewed A Son of the Circus on
Helpful Score: 4
I am a huge fan of Irving's but this was just not very good.
kbockl avatar reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Not an easy read, but worth the effort. The story of a man born in India, schooled in Vienna, living in Toronto who never feels like he belongs anywhere. It's as colorful as a silk sari.
reviewed A Son of the Circus on
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the book, it was not like anything I had read before. The novel is not about India but there is lots of take of India, also broken sexual boundaries.
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bookgoddessme avatar reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 106 more book reviews
I'll begin by saying I certainly respect the author, he has received much acclaim for his work. The book presented a couple themes I love, the circus, and India. The author certainly created characters I grew to care about because I wanted to stop reading it after I gave it 150 pages of my time, but I couldn't bring myself to stop " in case" it got better. Once Nancy's character was introduced I was really drawn in, but not enough for me to really like it. I can fault the male narrator, and the human flaws of all the characters, and there were many, because I know I don't respond well to either of those themes. Worth a read, I think the author is excessively wordy and detailed, but some people might love that aspect of the book. Try it.
reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 43 more book reviews
Really an unusual book for it's time. If you liked Garp, you will love this.
reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 35 more book reviews
All the quirkyness of a John Irving novel set against the patchwork quilt that is the nation of India.
reviewed A Son of the Circus on + 61 more book reviews
This was a REALLY good story! I REALLY enjoyed it!

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