What if Duke never accepted the methamphetamine the circus pushed?

Use this forum to discuss the May 2018 Book of the Month, "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson
User avatar
Shrabastee Chakraborty
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 2491
Joined: 23 Mar 2018, 00:38
Favorite Book: The Warramunga's War
Currently Reading: Timewise
Bookshelf Size: 1146
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shrabastee-chakraborty.html
Latest Review: The Infinite Passion of Life by D.J. Paolini

Re: What if Duke never accepted the methamphetamine the circus pushed?

Post by Shrabastee Chakraborty »

I believe, the meth given out by the circus authorities were supposed to help them cope with the back-breaking schedule. I am not trying to justify the abuse, but instead trying to point out the reason why it was required in the first place. So if Duke refrained from taking meth, as he certainly could have chosen to do, would he still be able to cope with the demands a circus sideshow's life invariably possesses?
Tobiasblackwell
Posts: 23
Joined: 13 Jan 2019, 04:35
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tobiasblackwell.html
Latest Review: MY FRIEND Marilyn by Christopher Lentz

Post by Tobiasblackwell »

I think that if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't have taken it. I get that there was an immense pressure on him to fit in. Yet, it's no excuse to ruin one's body.
User avatar
Ak1412
Posts: 216
Joined: 05 Jun 2018, 19:14
Currently Reading: Reawakened
Bookshelf Size: 22
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ak1412.html
Latest Review: The Watchmaker’s Doctor by G. M. T. Schuilling

Post by Ak1412 »

This is really interesting. It definetely would have lead to a different sequence of events, but where exactly would the changes have started?
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

Post by Hiruni Bhagya 81 »

Though his drug addiction is not for the best, without accepting the drugs, he'd have been in an early grave. With the hours they work, and the lack of sleep, he'd have drove off road killing himself as well as a few around him. So, I don't think not accepting was an option.
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 »

Duke was too young and daring at that time, so he tried to fit in and showed his circus friends that he could catch up with the circus pace. He used the substance to stay awake from the long drive and to take the risk in circus shows despite the lack of sleep and fatigue. I wonder if his life would have been better or worse without using that substance. Nobody knows...
User avatar
Scrawling Pen
Posts: 177
Joined: 03 Jan 2018, 19:55
Currently Reading: Snape
Bookshelf Size: 138
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scrawling-pen.html
Latest Review: The Queen of Xana by Fred Pilcher

Post by Scrawling Pen »

I think Duke's life would have been different without the methamphetamine. I do not know if he would have been able to continue his work in the circus without it. Any addictive drug has consequences on a person, and Duke is no exception.
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’Banion

Post by Yearly Joy Besoy »

Duke's life would've turned out differently if he didn't accept that bag of methamphetamine. He could have found other ways to keep him going on the road to complete his duty, or he wouldn't have made it in the long arduous journey on the road.
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 »

Personally. I think keeping up with the circus lifestyle one has to be involved with the drugs. Not accepting the meant just m,eans he should having been doing something else with his life.
Agbata Charles
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 403
Joined: 05 Oct 2022, 03:14
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 49
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-charles-agbata-1.html
Latest Review: Timewise by Robert Leet

Post by Agbata Charles »

I think it would have prevented Duke from being such a terrible whacko
User avatar
Moo Reny
Posts: 499
Joined: 17 Nov 2022, 09:23
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 36
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-moo-reny.html
Latest Review: American Dream? by Jeoung Lee

Post by Moo Reny »

Yes without the meth, Duke's life had the tendency to have turned out better
Not available anymore
Posts: 647
Joined: 02 Jun 2022, 19:23
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 50
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-covenant-morolayo-olusegun.html
Latest Review: Stones by James C. Hendee

Post by Not available anymore »

If he didn't accept the meth his life may not have turned out differently as he still likes alcohol and women
User avatar
Jay David Randall
In It Together VIP
Posts: 599
Joined: 27 Oct 2022, 13:55
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 42
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jay-david-randall.html
Latest Review: Scrooge's Folly - Saving Jacob Marley by David Jay Weinberg

Post by Jay David Randall »

RedLetter wrote: 05 Jun 2018, 17:29 In reading this book, Duke says the circus gave all of its performer's baggies of methamphetamine to keep them driving "safely" to their next town. But what if Duke decided NOT to take it? Do you think his life would have turned out differently?
One cannot tell the outcome but definitely, his life would have been different. He might have quit the curves or found a way around to act without the drug inhibition.
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you."Walt Whitman :tiphat:
Mellino Itz
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 244
Joined: 22 Nov 2022, 00:05
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 31
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mellino-itz.html
Latest Review: Good Sexual Hygiene & Spiritual Attitude by Anthony A. Morris

Post by Mellino Itz »

I think if he hadn't taken those drugs his life would have turn out differently probably for the best. From my experience with alcohol, I will always advocate for total abstinence just one contact with a wrong drugs could mess your life up.
Roderick Voss
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 294
Joined: 07 Sep 2022, 03:14
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 39
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-roderick-voss.html
Latest Review: Good Sexual Hygiene & Spiritual Attitude by Anthony A. Morris

Post by Roderick Voss »

Nothing new would have happened because Duke is too vulnerable to trying new things and would have found a way around it.
koffi Malay
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 242
Joined: 31 Dec 2022, 16:01
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 34
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-koffi-malay.html
Latest Review: Mryyh for Mafia Men by C.R. Fulton

Post by koffi Malay »

Without some sort of substance, I wonder how he would have kept up with the pace of the circus life—maybe caffeine instead of methamphetamines? Do you think he would have abandoned the circus life after getting burned out?
Post Reply

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