This was really a bizarre story about the Binewski carny family who operate a traveling show called Fabulon. It was pretty unremarkable until the patriarch of the family, Al, decides that he and his wife, Lil, could manufacture a family of freaks by using drugs, insecticides and radioactivity. This results in the production of Arturo (Arty), the aqua boy, who has no limbs but does have short flippers he can use in water. Then comes a set of Siamese twins, Elly and Iphy, who are joined at the spine and have two sets of arms but only one set of legs and genitals. Then there's Olympia (Oly) who narrates the story and is a dwarf with a hunched back. And finally there is the outwardly normal but telekinetic Chick who really is the most powerful of the lot. The story takes place sometime in the past and is told mostly during the family's time running the carnival but it also tells of when Oly is older and she is living with her aged mother and her daughter, Miranda, in a rundown hotel.
I enjoyed the first part of the story but as it progressed, it became very dark and disturbing. Arty has an act that draws people to it and for some strange reason, the people want to be just like him. This results in a cult called Arturans who like their prophet, have pieces of themselves amputated to transcend appearance. Arty's pride and jealousy eventually brings an end to the carnival.
Overall, I was quite mixed on this one. Like I said, I did enjoy the beginnings of the novel and the bizarre carny life but as it progressed toward the Arturans and limb amputation, I just wanted the story to end. I know a lot of people highly recommend this novel but it really wasn't for me.
I enjoyed the first part of the story but as it progressed, it became very dark and disturbing. Arty has an act that draws people to it and for some strange reason, the people want to be just like him. This results in a cult called Arturans who like their prophet, have pieces of themselves amputated to transcend appearance. Arty's pride and jealousy eventually brings an end to the carnival.
Overall, I was quite mixed on this one. Like I said, I did enjoy the beginnings of the novel and the bizarre carny life but as it progressed toward the Arturans and limb amputation, I just wanted the story to end. I know a lot of people highly recommend this novel but it really wasn't for me.
