The Aerialist (Sewanee Writers' Series)

Rating:
Summary: A lasting pleasure
Review: I cannot but love this book. And the possibility of writing a review is irresistible, as the book and its protagonist keep returning to me, months after having finished reading it.

There are plenty entertaining books, but few have lasting effects such as this. This book often comes flooding back to my thoughts. It made me wonder at the beginning, but now that I feel I understand why, I feel compelled to share.

This story is told in a subtle and understated way, avoiding the use of over-dramatisations that may make a book more easily accessible and attractive. The same is true of the protagonist. You get to know him slowly, by way of his actions and points of view, akin to how one gets to know a person in real life. It is not all at once, and not through anything dramatic, but through little things. It makes both the story and the protagonist seem real, true. And that's a feat. It is this quality that sets this book apart from other books that provide a temporary escape that ends once the book is finished.

Moreover, the authentic feeling of this book creeps up on you as you slowly realize the depths of the protagonist and his story. And the funny thing is this books deals with the circus, which had no reality value to me. I can't say I had a good view of the circus before reading this book. I certainly did not find it attractive, being preoccupied with potential animal abuse. But the heart of the book is the search of the protagonist of identity and meaning and his place is this circus of a world. And the writer manages to make both the protagonist's journey and the circus attractive and realistic at once. Not a dream or a hero and a Hollywood fantasy, but a sincerity that draws you in.

Trust me, this is a wonderful book, written by an intelligent and talented writer. What is more, this writer owns one of the most gorgeous bums around!

Rating:
Summary: Schmitt Hits a Home Run
Review: I must preface my comments by explaining that I have Richard Schmitt as a professor in creative writing, so I have no doubt that my comments are biased. However, I feel compelled to urge readers to pick this book up. Schmitt has a knack for characters - picking them up, examining them, and framing them for all to see. He uses the small detail in order to extract a full story. The novel reads as a series of vignettes, each chapter a self-contained story, yet adding to the understanding of the larger journey.

Pick it up, read it. It's great.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Circus
Review: In about 1953 or 54 I was about 12 or 13 years old when the Clyde Beatty Circus came to my hometown of Glasgow, Montana. My cousin and I were drawn to the grounds like every other kid in town. We were two of the lucky ones who were given the nod by an old grizzled guy and allowed the privelege of watering the elephants, assisting in the cook-tent and that night actually stuffing ourselves into a small car with a couple of clowns and 25 other kids, and popping out in the center ring.

Richard Schmitt's The Aerialist took this reader to the other side of the curtain I had the privelege of brushing up against that day. The book is vivid and fascinating in its description of the circus as society apart, one that reflects and mimics the complexity, limitations and disorder of American society.

The characters are well-rounded and complex. I especially liked the decision to include other points of view as first person essays between chapters. These small gems of insight round out the story without violating the first person limited point of view. Several of them are obviously the result of deep thought, imagination and endless revision - as finely crafted as any written today. Any of them could stand alone.

I have two criticisms. First is the introduction of two fascinating characters - Alberta and Marge - toward the middle of the book that are dropped without full development. I liked them both and wanted to know more about them. The second is that the book sags a little during the European period. The sense of novelty and freshness declines and the writing lacks the vividness of the first part. There is also a bit of under-development in the novel's resolution. After all of his experiences why did he settle for marriage to a non-entity?

The character of Gary is true to life and convincing. His voice is strong and confident, consistent, and carries the reader along in effortless participation. Makes it a great read. Good on you Schmitt! Keep it up.