Review of The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid

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Miracle Steve
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Latest Review: The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson

Review of The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid

Post by Miracle Steve »

[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 first time you use the drug, you spend the rest of your life trying to get back to the sensation you had the first time taking it.’ I wouldn’t find better words than these to summarize this novel. Those sentiments are part of the monologues in the book. The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson revolves around two men brought together by fate. Their struggles seem to align despite being of different ages and interests.

The book is divided into three parts. The first portion introduces the life of Duke Reynolds narrated in the third-person perspective. Duke is a circus member whose prowess in sword swallowing stunts is unmatched. Having started performing at fifteen, he mastered the art of entertainment. However, following the ban of his circus by the government, he is forced to go solo. While trying to figure himself out, he is involved in a crime that lands him in prison. Even though he is later released, this event pivots him towards better decision-making in the future. The second part introduces Gary, a young man who had his share of troubles from a very young age. Having learned independence when very young, he had made some poor decisions that were bound to destroy him. However, as fate would have it, his encounter with Duke gives him some stability.

I loved how this book portrayed Duke’s character. He is a valiant ambitious man ready to grasp any opportunity that presented itself. His performances were breathtaking and fascinating. The description of events was quite vivid, and it was not hard to create the scenarios in my mind. This goes a long way to show that the author understood what he wanted to convey to a great extent. The book is fast-paced, and each chapter has sufficient information to develop the story. I also appreciated the author’s ability to concoct a connection between circus members and their audiences. It is evident from the constant communication between the parties involved in the dialogues.

There was nothing that I disliked in this book. It is a fascinating novel highlighting the predicaments of many entertainment stars striving for a career breakthrough.

I gladly rate this novel five out of five stars because I flagged no negative aspects. It outlines crime, romance, and drug abuse themes.

Lastly, I recommend this book to adventure lovers and aspiring entertainers. I found one subjective error. Therefore, I surmise the novel was edited by a professional.

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The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
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