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)

Excessively verbose and comedy attempts fall flat

I like funny and quirky and mysterious, so I thought I would like this book.

Its mildly entertaining, but not very funny and a LOT of the back story is just a HUGE waste of time. This was one of those rare audiobooks that, while it wasn't so bad that it annoyed me, my mind would wander to the point where I missed entire sections and I didn't bother to rewind it. I didn't even bother to turn it off if I had to stop listening to answer the phone or type an email. I just let it run and picked up again 10 minutes later.

While some of the episodes might have been hilarious had the right joker told them, somehow they're not. Its like they tried for some Jacques Clouseau style moments but missed the mark. Ever hear a joke that made you fall off your chair, and later heard someone else tell the same joke and not get a single chuckle? This is the later. I can't tell who's fault it is, writer or narrator, (I'm leaning toward narrator) there are many situations that should be very humorous, laugh outloud on the subway humorous, but they way they are described, they simply aren't. One of these guys is a bad storyteller.

As for the mstery... there aren't any major twists or turns, The author never tried to trick you into thinking its a different character, its pretty upfront. You have no reason to suspect anyone until the author tells you who did it. You just have to wait for the author to give you the information. There is no mystery "tease". Its okay, there are no glaring discrepancies, and it does all come together, I simply can't manage to care....

One of my favorites from Mr. Irving

I love many of John Irving's books, and this is one of them. (when I love them, I really love them, when I don't, I really don't). He has a wonderful way of making fun at the ridiculousness of us humans while also taking our plights seriously. This is another sprawling farcical escapade - perhaps the most farcical of all- so well written, so astute in detailed observations, each character is wonderfully flawed and beautiful with a real sense of what creates both the flaws and the beauty and all this in a powerful punch of humor. I am often the only one NOT laughing at a comedy and this book had me laughing out loud.

I am glad I stuck with it - I almost gave up a few times at the beginning - the narration at first was painful to listen to but after a while the narrator settled down and did a wonderful job - it just took him a bit to settle into the characters and the rhythms of Irvings dialogues and descriptions.

Another thank you to Mr. Irving - I read many of your books 30 years ago, deeply impacted by Garp, Cider House, Hotel New Hampshire, and this one. I am revisiting them from the person I am today, able to enjoy and marvel at the creativity and the creations in quite a different way. Again, I thank you. And I am so grateful you are here.

It's all penises with Irving after early stunners

I mean... there's some funny bits, interesting if unlikely story lines. But if you are coming to Irving because A Prayer for Own Meany gave you confidence that he would dig deep in the collective North American psyche and bring out a complicated but luminescent portrait of duty, love, and loss, you may be disappointed, ESPECIALLY 27 hours later. The dispassionate narration may add to the lack of humanity in the book, and it may appeal more to men, but no one in my circle has liked it (including my husband).

A Son of What?

This is a very l-o-n-g book. I can't imagine listening to the whole thing. I love John Irving, but I couldn't listen for more than a few hours. There was nothing exciting enough to make me want to continue.

way to much nasty for me

I'm not into strong sex books. after the second one I quit on it
not a prude. just don't care to read about inappropriate sex

not engaging

It seemed to go on and on. I finished it to finish it but kept thinking how much I hoped the next book I would read would be more interesting.

Skip It!

another one of those very few books that I simply can't get into. Where is the story? I've heard some other John Irving books but this one is a sleeper that you should pass up and find something with a worthy story line.

Too long and rambling

The narrator was very good, but I struggled to finish the book. The author seemed to go off on tangents unnecessary to the story line on many occasions.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOAD IT ONTO MY MP3 PLAYER

Would you try another book from John Irving and/or David Colacci?

I can't wait to read anything by John Irving. I downloaded it onto my computer. I'm old and I can't figure out how to get it onto my darn MP3 player!!

What could John Irving have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

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What didn’t you like about David Colacci’s performance?

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What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

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Any additional comments?

anyone wanna help me???

very tiresome story

I love long audio books when they are good. I could not get through this story even though I have enjoyed other books by the same author. Very tedious and tiresome.