A Son of the Circus Audiobook By John Irving cover art

A Son of the Circus

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A Son of the Circus

By: John Irving
Narrated by: David Colacci
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Born a Parsi in Bombay, sent to university and medical school in Vienna, Dr. Farrokh Daruwalla is a 59-year-old orthopedic surgeon and a Canadian citizen who lives in Toronto. Periodically, the doctor returns to Bombay, where most of his patients are crippled children.

Once, 20 years ago, Dr. Daruwalla was the examining physician of two murder victims in Goa. Now, 20 years later, he will be reacquainted with the murderer.

©2007 John Irving (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, Inc. Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Murder Suspense Thriller & Suspense Witty Funny

Critic reviews

"Ringmaster Irving introduces act after act, until three (or more) rings are awhirl at a lunatic pace....His Bombay and his Indian characters are vibrant and convincing." ( The Wall Street Journal)
"Irving's nimble humor springs from compassionate insights into cultural and sexual confusion and alienation, baffling questions of faith and purpose, and the kind of hope that thrives in even the most jaded atmosphere." ( Booklist)
"His most daring and most vibrant novel.... The story of circus-as-India is told with gusto and delightful irreverence." ( The Washington Post Book World)
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After reading A Prayer for Owen Meany I had expectations..... but alas, nowhere close. In it's own right a good story. But way to long. at one stage hoped that the various bad guys and "girls" will just die or get caught so that I dont have to read about them any longer.

Long tedious book

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To say I loved this book would be a lie. To say it was too long is not a lie.

I did like the characters in this book and liked the story to a pint BUT I think it could be edited down to half it's length.

Okay but overly long

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I'm an Irving fan, and haven't enjoyed his work this much since Garp. Unlikely characters in strange circumstances, and it all works wonderfully. I laughed out loud, very unusual for me, and was hooked on characters I initially thought would be hard to like. Excellent narration, long book but worth it.

Irving's Best Since Garp

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I liked this book a lot but by hour 15 you'll wonder if this will ever end. Just go with the long diversions and back stories, the language and the great reader. You'll be through it in no time!

A Long Trip

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First I’ve read of this author. I just am not a fan of perversion, gender dysphoria, ambiguous sexuality, and murder as such focal points of plot. Maybe ‘circus’ of life and its misfits rather than anything much about actual circus, except the dwarf cab driver. Note to author: concentrate on character development.

Masterful Writing But...

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This is a difficult book, like one reviewer said. It is hard to follow due to its multilayered complexity and slogging pace that screams, "EDIT ME!" Nevertheless, for true Irving lovers, which I am, it was 3.5 stars. I definitely would recommend saving this book for last after exhausting Irving's other works. If you're up to it, pay close attention, and be in for an overly long haul of excessive unnecessary dribble between the good parts.

Don't Start Reading Irving Here! 3.5*

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It's not the book, it's not the plot, it's the sheer magnificent storytelling...

And just like a star of the circus, he makes the apparently impossible appear effortless.

Like the best vacation you've ever been on, at first I wasn't sure I would even enjoy the trip. And then suddenly, the all-too-soon conclusion was before me; a rather melancholy journey "home" was forced upon me.

Irving the Unnerving, dwarf clown of India

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This book was harder to get into than some of John Irving's work but Once I got rolling, I enjoyed it very much. He creates a complicated figure of Doctor Darawala and gives us a glimpse of what it is really like to be an immigrant. He touches on many important issues in our society today. The narrator is amazing! The dialog was wonderful.

Try to fall in the net !

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I am always amazed at Irving's heights of imagination. And, A Son of the Circus does not disappoint. Hearing in the prologue that our author has never been to India, I was somewhat worried. But never fear, the world he paints while steeped in Mombai cultural references, is strictly his own and is without parallel in the real planet. And, that is what brings me back to him: improbable personalities living in impossible situations yet all is familiar and understandable. Don't know how he does it, but I certainly know how to enjoy a good read.
Each character is complete. The twists and turns of the "plot" with flashbacks and forwards is dizzying. A veritable 3-ring circus squared! And, so much fun.
Download this novel and get ready to lose yourself.

John Irving Builds a Fascinating World Again!

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Any additional comments?

My favorite Irvings are Owen and Cider House. Everything else is judged according to those yardsticks. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. At the outset he tells us his main character is uncomfortable in his native country. That discomfort is then allowed for the reader as he takes us deep into the mire that is modern-day India. Fantastic.

Great

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