Circus/Carnival Themed Books

[Dark Muse]

I find that I am drawn to carnival and circus themed books and stories. In part because though they are insititutions of entertainment there is an almost macabre side to them as well. As well they offer a good opportunity for some eccentric, unconventional, interesting characters. They also provide an element of the surreal, and magical which I enjoy.

Off the top of my head some books which do revolve around this setting that I have read include:

Water For Elephants
Son of the Circus
The Night Circus
The Deptford Trilogy
The Cirque du Freak series

and I am currently reading Joyland, Stephen King's newest book.

I am curious if any one has any recommendatiosn on other book which have a circus/or carnival like setting to them. I am open to genre and time period.

[Scheherazade]

Hmmm... I can't say that any comes to mind right now.

Is "Water for Elephants" good? It is on my book shelf.

[Calidore]

One book in that area which I haven't read but many people like is "Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn.

[Dark Muse]

Hmmm... I can't say that any comes to mind right now.

Is "Water for Elephants" good? It is on my book shelf.

I really liked it, I thought it was quite good.

[ladderandbucket]

Nights at the Circus - Angela Carter

Nightmare Alley - William Lindsay Gresham

[Dark Muse]

I have been wanting to read Nights at the Circus, but haven't yet come acorss a copy of it, might have to just order it.

[mal4mac]

The Count of Monte Cristo, after his escape, spends a lot of time at the Carnival of Rome with some interesting friends & brigands.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Hmmm... I can't say that any comes to mind right now.

Is "Water for Elephants" good? It is on my book shelf.

I quite liked it. It was really easy for me to become absorbed in the role the animals play in a story about people. The film was a disappointment, though.

[AuntShecky]

I think you would really enjoy Chad Hanna by Walter D. Edmonds. Set along the Erie Canal region in New York State, the novel follows the life of a worker in a traveling circus, with another significant feature concerning the Underground Railroad.

[Dark Muse]

I think you would really enjoy Chad Hanna by Walter D. Edmonds. Set along the Erie Canal region in New York State, the novel follows the life of a worker in a traveling circus, with another significant feature concerning the Underground Railroad.


That sounds interesting, I will look it up.

[Val3xmama]

Mechanique by Genevieve Valentine

Wonderful, wonderful first novel about a circus of metal/flesh performers tied to their maker.

[bookowskee]

The Ringmaster's Daughter by Jostein Gaardner. If you can get your hands on Alejandro Jodorowksy's film scripts, that would be a good deal.