Review of The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid

[Seetha E]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid is a work of fiction by Gary Robinson that spans over 327 pages. The author was inspired by his friendship with Captain Don Leslie, who was a circus sideshow sword swallower. 

The book is divided into three parts. The first part revolves around Duke Reynolds. Duke has always been in awe of the circus. At fifteen, Duke runs away from his home in Somerville due to issues at home and joins the circus. This section of the book portrays the challenges of circus life, battling addiction, and his sword-swallowing act, among the ten others that he performs, which pose a daily risk to his life. Duke's circus friends are more than his family, and he cannot imagine his life without them.
 
The second part of this book is about Gary Robinson, who also runs away due to issues at home and becomes a drug addict. He is educated and has a degree, but he fails to find an anchor and feels lost for his purpose in life. Finally, the third part beautifully weaves both stories together. Duke tries to help Gary figure out his life and takes him on an adventure. Where does the adventure lead them? How do things turn out for both Duke and Gary?
 
Duke's character is supported by a group of performers, including Wubby, Jimmy, Red, Gonad, the Puppe family, Lucy, and dear Christie. Their inner strength is admirable as they face each day, refusing to view the world or people without deformities with any negativity. They are always loving and caring, doing their best to entertain the audience. I loved how each character's backstory was fleshed out, making it easy to see why their bond was so strong. The author's writing style is brilliant. It allows the reader to visualize the intense and emotional moments. I found myself sighing in relief, experiencing their agony, or smiling at their humor. The story contains a touch of romance, a thrilling climax, and an exciting anti-climax, making it incredibly engaging.

Although the third chapter may seem the strongest, I believe that the life experiences and mistakes highlighted in the earlier chapters are equally important. The main message that I take away from this book is that, no matter what challenges we face in life, we should never lose hope or give up on our dreams. It's important to identify what we truly want in life and then work hard to achieve it while continually improving our skills. We should strive to learn from our mistakes, avoid repeating them, and always be willing to help others, no matter how small the act may seem. These are just a few of the many valuable lessons this book offers. There are many more in the third chapter.
 
I have nothing negative to say about this book. However, I would like to caution that it is unsuitable for younger readers due to the presence of sexual content and profanity. The author provides a detailed description of the circus and roadshow acts that kept me on the edge. Thus, faint-hearted adults may want to consider this before choosing to read this book. Although there were a couple of minor errors in the book, they did not hinder my reading experience, and hence, I believe the book deserves 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to adults who enjoy inspiring and character-driven books with themes of struggle in circus life, alcoholism, and drug addiction. It also explores religious beliefs.

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The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
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[Peter Anderson 2]

This review had a lot of interest. I really enjoyed how the author handled the usage of alcohol and drugs in the novel, emphasising how risky they are and why children shouldn't be given them.

[Priya Murugesan]

This looks like a heavy book, and I am not sure if I would enjoy reading it! But your review persuades me to read the book.. So I am yet to decide! Thanks for your awesome review!