Are you convinced that sword swallowing is an art and not a trick?

Use this forum to discuss the May 2018 Book of the Month, "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson
User avatar
Hiruni Bhagya 81
Posts: 745
Joined: 31 Aug 2018, 14:43
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 128
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hiruni-bhagya-81.html
Latest Review: Randy Love...at your service by Shay Carter

Re: Are you convinced that sword swallowing is an art and not a trick?

Post by Hiruni Bhagya 81 »

Before reading this book I thought it was a trick. But after reading this book and reading about it some more, I believe it's a skill.
User avatar
Philip Chepsingil
Posts: 134
Joined: 08 May 2017, 06:52
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 38572">Who Told You That You Were Naked?</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 39
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-philip-chepsingil.html
Latest Review: Ana by Gary Hope

Post by Philip Chepsingil »

Kibetious wrote: 06 Jun 2018, 14:31 Nop. I am not convinced. I feel that it is more of a trick than an act. It would seem unimaginable to see one swallowing a sword despite the mastery of skills by various acrobats and 'magicians'.
I too wonder how, because of human natural reflexes which can't allow anything which is not food to get through the throat. It must be a trick.
Latest Review: Ana by Gary Hope
User avatar
supernatural143
Posts: 154
Joined: 29 Jul 2019, 05:12
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 113
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-supernatural143.html
Latest Review: The Killers Ruse by Darrin Friedman

Post by supernatural143 »

I have not seen sword swallowing live. On movies and comedy clips, I think sword swallowing is both a trick and a skill. It's scary and risky. I wonder what made other people try doing it for. It's like choosing between money and life.
User avatar
WardahEbrahim
Posts: 131
Joined: 05 May 2019, 17:40
Currently Reading: Little Women
Bookshelf Size: 55
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-wardahebrahim.html
Latest Review: Winning the War on Cancer by Sylvie Beljanski

Post by WardahEbrahim »

Vg345 wrote: 03 May 2018, 05:27 I'm skeptical at best. I think that to teach and learn a skill, there has to be some accepted leeway for failure. Because that's what people do as beginners. They fail. In this particular case, failure has a high probability of being fatal. I'm not buying the point that a person who is allegedly skilled at this would get there without accidentally cutting his windpipe a couple dozen times.
So, I guess no. I don't believe that it isn't a trick.
It wouldn't go down the windpipe, it'd go down the esophagus, And I'm they practice with blunt objects first? I think it's a skill. Same with any danger sport.
User avatar
Erandi Ekanayake
Posts: 253
Joined: 31 Aug 2019, 00:09
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 22
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-erandi-ekanayake.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz

Post by Erandi Ekanayake »

I haven't got a chance to read the book yet, but I have seen people swallow swords and just the sight of them doing so always make my whole body numb. I think it is a skill they get by practising for a long time, but not merely a trick.
jhunt
Posts: 62
Joined: 11 May 2020, 12:30
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 16
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jhunt.html
Latest Review: Rescued by E. Alan Fleischauer

Post by jhunt »

I'm definitely skeptical to whether it's an art, seems to be more of a trick
Essywa
Posts: 149
Joined: 03 Jul 2020, 04:16
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 15
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-essywa.html
Latest Review: ...on your way home...Do This by George Six

Post by Essywa »

I think it's an art that requires one to learn and perfect for many years,it's just not for anybody. It needs discipline willingness to learn and patience.
User avatar
Reader-247
Posts: 325
Joined: 10 May 2020, 08:12
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-reader-247.html
Latest Review: Randy the Irresistible by S M Goodier

Post by Reader-247 »

I have never seen it performed in real life, I have to see it to make an informed decision.
User avatar
Yearly Joy Besoy
Posts: 217
Joined: 09 May 2020, 04:57
Favorite Book: We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 34
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-yearly-joy-besoy.html
Latest Review: Beating Death (resubmission) by Sean O&rsquo;Banion

Post by Yearly Joy Besoy »

Yes. I consider sword swallowing as an art.
markodim721
Posts: 2370
Joined: 25 Feb 2021, 13:23
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 482
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-markodim721.html
Latest Review: The Solution is Political Revolution by Jillion R Rising

Post by markodim721 »

Sword swallowing is probably partly both a trick and a skill, like much else. Still, what I appreciate about Duke and similar artists is the ability to present.
User avatar
Sandeep Moses
Posts: 389
Joined: 15 Jun 2021, 10:07
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 95
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sandeep-moses.html
Latest Review: Stevie Tenderheart Books WAIT A MINUTE! (An Illustrated Novella) by Steve William Laible

Post by Sandeep Moses »

It's impossible to take this act as a trick. Duke suffered physically every time he performed the sword swallowing act. It is an art perfected with years of practice and boldness.
Ohna Martin
Posts: 557
Joined: 24 Mar 2022, 02:01
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 127
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ohna-martin.html
Latest Review: Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill
Reading Device: 1400697484

Post by Ohna Martin »

I would think it is an art, you have to train for it and if you make a mistake it could cost you your life.
kensgarment odogwu
Posts: 192
Joined: 08 Jul 2022, 15:19
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 37
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kensgarment-odogwu.html
Latest Review: Commercial Property Made Easy by Chris Lang

Post by kensgarment odogwu »

I really do not know what to say. If sword swallowing is not a trick then it must require years of training and the sword is not usually sharp. I wish this book describe the dangers of that art. No one should try that at home.
Agbata Precious 1
Posts: 128
Joined: 14 Sep 2022, 01:41
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 47
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-agbata-precious-1.html
Latest Review: Nightlord: Sunset by Garon Whited

Post by Agbata Precious 1 »

I think sword swallowing is not an act. I mean it can be learned. I mean I do watch shows about sword swallowing .
Agbata Donald 1
Posts: 33
Joined: 27 Sep 2022, 12:25
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 14
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-agbata-donald-1.html
Latest Review: Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula by R.F. Kristi

Post by Agbata Donald 1 »

Am even confused. After I read the comments here, I found it hard to decide if it is a trick or an art. But if I must say I'll say that sword swallowing is an art
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson”