ARA Review by Vishalsehrawat of The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
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ARA Review by Vishalsehrawat of The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson is a book inspired by the life of Captain Don Leslie, a real life sword swallower and friend of the author, but most of the events are fiction. Starting with the delivery of a package that brings a flood of flashbacks and tears to the receiver, we get to see some emotive characters that really bring the story to life.
The book is divided in three parts: The Sword Swallower’s Journey, the first part, is focused on Duke’s life as an entertainer, how he ran from home at the age of fifteen to join the traveling circus, where he learned the art of sword swallowing. He performs his act at the circus’ sideshow, when it stopped in different towns; and as the circus stopped traveling during the winter, performing at bars, or the street was his way of making money. Struggling with a drug addiction and heavy drinking, Duke calls the circus his home, and consideres the crew his family, but the reality is his life as a circus performer is far from magical or easy. Without a doubt, the reader gets a glimpse of Duke’s life and how every decision, brings him closer to the edge that eventually forces him to spot and leave the stage.
The second part, The Destructive Path of Chico Kid, follows Gary Robinson, the Chico Kid. Gary is everything a lost soul appears to be, his life has no purpose or meaning, there is no point on keep on trying. Gary is a self-destructive person making everything and everyone around him on the verge of destruction. He as a party animal since high school, going from job to job, and not caring about anyone but himself. Duke met Gary at a bar after performing his act, and they quickly became friends.
Finally, An Eccentric Friendship and Unconventional Mentoring follows both characters and how their lives are connected. Battling their addiction, understanding their differences and building a strong friendship.
The story follows Duke Reynolds and Gary Robinson. Both characters are far from perfection, showing substance abuse, violence and a journey to self-discovery, the character development both, Duke and Gary show, is impressive. It even teaches some important life lessons, showing the reader that, sometimes, living in the moment is not the answer. The author teaches the reader something about circus performing, tattoos, drugs and surviving in difficult conditions, which makes it a perfect book for someone who needs that hand taking him from the abysm.
For the first chapters, the reading seems a little tedious, even repetitive, which made it hard to read. The story has potential. The second and third part of the story, needed a little more character development, and the author could have skipped some unnecessary details to accomplish this, it is easier to feel empathy for fictional characters when the author is willing to tell the whole story, not only some highlights. The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid is, without a doubt, a very good story, although it seems undeveloped, filled with some amazing and likable characters with secrets and untold stories i liked it very much so i give it 4 out of 5 stars
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