Freak Show Without a Tent

Swimming with Piranhas, Getting Stoned in Fiji and Other Family Vacations

By: Nevin Martell

Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Fishing for piranhas in the Amazon, getting stoned at Fijian kava ceremonies, and witnessing the ancient ritual of land diving on Pentecost Island is the stuff of National Geographic cover stories - and Nevin Martell’s childhood vacations. His family’s globetrotting took them from the South Pacific to South America and many points nowhere in between. Though their lifestyle choices were eccentric, the locations they visited exotic, and the people they met extraordinary, these escapades are firmly grounded in the trials, tribulations, and tribal rivalries that plague all families. Freak Show Without a Tent is a grandly hilarious memoir-misadventure that is equal parts National Lampoon’s Vacation, Romancing the Stone, and Crocodile Dundee. Woven seamlessly into the stories of exploring the far side of the far side, near-death experiences and gastronomical catastrophes is the story of a young boy coming of age, the evolving relationship between a father and son, and a family discovering its own boundaries. With the honesty and innocence that can only come through the eyes of youth, Martell reveals the symbiosis of interdependence and independence that exist deep within both rainforests and families. To paraphrase a family motto: buy the ticket, take the ride, and hope you survive, so that you can tell your therapist all about it.

©2014 Nevin Martell (P)2014 ListenUp Production, LLC

A Great road book for the road!

If you could sum up Freak Show Without a Tent in three words, what would they be?

Endearing, droll, and relatable.

What did you like best about this story?

I feel for Nevin Martell. His father, in his childhood travel memoir Freak Show Without a Tent, could be my father. I can relate to the insatiable drive to drag his family all over creation in search of some intangible experience of adventure (my father dragged us all over creation in search of trout streams).

In Vanuatu, in Fiji, in Tonga, and Wester Samoa, Martell's family finds itself in one head-scratching misadventure after another. There is humor in the musings of the 12 year old Martell, who observes his situation with equal parts awe, incredulity and pre-teen exasperation, a balance of tone which Bernard Setaro Clark achieves admirably in his recording of the book. Clark's vocal portrayal of Martell's family, from the booming, steam-rolling effusions of an oblivious, adventure crazed father; the disaffected, perpetually annoyed kid sister; the road weary, good sport, "let's make the best of this" admonitions of the mother; and the boyish enthusiasm and naivete of the pre-adolescent Martell, bring this audiobook endearingly alive for the listener. Clark's narration captures both the absurd humor appropriate to the circumstance of a 12 year old drinking narcotic Kava in Polynesia, and the tragic regret of a family unravelling despite it's shared experiences.

Have you listened to any of Bernard Setaro Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. His voice is amazing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The absurd side of exotic travel.

A historical memoir of family adventure

If you could sum up Freak Show Without a Tent in three words, what would they be?

Funny, adventurous, charming

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nevin, the stories are told from his ever evolving perspective

What does Bernard Setaro Clark bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings the characters to life in a way that I couldn't have done alone

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

Definitely

An interesting, engaging and fun experience.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It was a blast to listen to.

What other book might you compare Freak Show Without a Tent to and why?

On the Road by Jack Keouac because of the interesting travel tales.

Which character – as performed by Bernard Setaro Clark – was your favorite?

The lead.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The final chapter contains an interesting perspective.

Any additional comments?

This is a must-listen for people who love travel and honest experiences of adventure.

Riveting story, incredible narration, an adventure

Where does Freak Show Without a Tent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one my favorite audiobooks I have listened to. Bernard kept me engaged through the entire story and I really felt as though I were in those exotic places with his wacky family.

What did you like best about this story?

This story reminds me of a Wes Anderson film. I love the fast paced writing style that truly gives you an image of Nevin's wild childhood. It is funny and loving as well as serious and melancholic at times. Bernard is able to capture all of these emotions wonderfully.

Have you listened to any of Bernard Setaro Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have heard Bernard before and really like his narration style. I am a big fan of this story line and I think that Bernard's performance was a perfect fit for this book.

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

If I had the time, I would have.

Excellent

Written as a travel memoir, and told from the son's viewpoint, the family tends to do a lot of traveling, to some odd places. No Disneyland for these folks. Their dad enjoys going to out of the way places where they experience many different lifestyles and food. Frankly, I'm surprised they lived through some of their adventures. He tells of different vacations at different ages, so you see the progression of the trips, and how in the beginning, they all had fun, but as time goes on and his dad keeps pushing for more far flung adventures, the family isn't quite as on board for some of them.
The narrator is excellent and the book is well worth a relisten. I think I've listened to this 3 times already.

Relatable characters in bizarre settings

What about Bernard Setaro Clark’s performance did you like?

All of his character voices were very distinct. I especially loved the voice he used for the dad and the younger sister. It seemed like the voices had been filtered through Nevin, the main character's mind first - Nevin's sister, Jo, sounded kind of whiny, but as if that's how she actually sounded to Nevin. I really loved Clark's choices for voices.

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

Yes! I was always frustrated when I had to stop listening to work or talk to a real human person. :)

Any additional comments?

The story had me giggling at the gym every morning, which is quite a feat. The setting is so out-there and bizarre, but Nevin's feelings and decisions seem so relatable and real.

Bernard Setaro Clark's Narration is Stellar!

What made the experience of listening to Freak Show Without a Tent the most enjoyable?

This book is hilarious and made me wish I had as many awkward and dysfunctional vacation experiences during my childhood!

Have you listened to any of Bernard Setaro Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Bernard Clark made this book breathe! His character voices were spot on and he painted each scene perfectly. Bernard has an amazing way of telling this story with the perfect twist of sarcasm, suspense, comedy, and wonder. His tone, timing, and inflections are just a few ways he draws you into the story, making you feel as if you're standing along side the family throughout their whacky adventures. I was immediately grabbed by Bernard's narration - he is one of the best I've heard!

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

I did - however, I needed to split it up. Had I the time, I certainly would have listened all in one sitting. This audiobook is effortless to listen to - especially due to Bernard Setaro Clark's fabulous narration!

Any additional comments?

Buy this audiobook! The writing is amazingly funny and the narration is A++++!!!!