A Son of the Circus

By: John Irving

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 26 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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)

I am being loving it.

This is my second time through this enjoyable journey. It's a long and frolicking story with mystery, humour and many kinds of love.

Not a one time read

The shifts in time, multiple names for characters, and constant shifting can make it hard to follow. I think Irving was trying to NOT write like himself, to mixed result. It has the potential for a really great murder mystery, better than most and unpredictable, but not in one reading.

John Irving Builds a Fascinating World Again!

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.

Great

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.

It dragged!

It took me a while to become invested in this story. It’s typical John Irving in it’s rich description. The topic, however, was not appropriate for an american author. Although the author explained in the beginning that this story was not about India, it, nevertheless had characters from India and it takes place mostly if not all in India. Not so sure I would buy it knowing what I know now.

Entertaining

Where does A Son of the Circus rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Son of the Circus?

Floating in the drink scenario.

What does David Colacci bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Have not read the book yet.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Yes, Well . . .

Maybe I didn't give this book enough attention; I was stressed during the listen. I will listen again. Just that while living in San Francisco for 30 years, I have already worked beside, embraced, loved and coped with all kinds of deviant -- uh, I mean "different" --people. A would-be transsexual is not a joke, and probably not a murderer. She is someone who tells you, "I am not gay: I love men." She will die with her tallywhacker. At any rate in this book I felt I was slumming. For sure, this book is not Shantaram in which people reach for joy and real friendship. While Irving is hilariously inventive, and while I loved Owen Meany and stayed awake for Ciderhouse Rules, this book I find not being an upper.

Very Entertaining

Listening to this book was like riding a merry-go-round. You never know where it was going to drop you off next!

At first I was a little confused, dizzy perhaps, but once I figured it out, I really did enjoy the ride.

This book has it all...murder, romance, sex, scandal all told a little tounge in cheek. It is at times laugh out loud funny. Though I must admit that the ending did drag out. I thought it was over at the end of Part 3 only to find out I had another 4 hours to go.

I never want the wonderful stories by John Irving to end.

A Son of The Circus immerses the reader in the Indian culture.
I feel as if I have spent a week traveling through
The streets of Bombay.
The so acute descriptions of sights and smells paint a backdrop for the story line that i will carry forever in my mind's eye.
The many parallel story lines are as usual skillfully created.
The characters seem as real as people I have known for years.
The voice of David Colacci is hypnotizing.
I have already downloaded my next Irving book.
I worry what I shall do when when I have finished them all.

amusing, entertaining, and humane

Where does A Son of the Circus rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

amongst the top 5, will listen to it again

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Son of the Circus?

the dwarf saving the missionary from transvestites

Have you listened to any of David Colacci’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no, I loved listening to this performance

If you could take any character from A Son of the Circus out to dinner, who would it be and why?

the doctor's wife - I would like to hear the whole story again from her perspective. She is the character that is left in outline, yet seems to be the one who is the most perceptive, always there to nudge the situation out of a stalemate.

Any additional comments?

The descriptions of India and life in India are the reasons to read this book, thoroughly enjoyable read.