Review of The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid

[Cole Reyes]

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

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4 out of 5 stars

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We explore the interesting circus world in this original novel, as well as the odd bond that develops between Duke, a skilled sword swallower, and Gary, a damaged man looking for atonement. Duke's odyssey starts when he leaves his troubled family and finds comfort in the circus, where he learns risky acts. Meanwhile, in the town of Chico, Gary, who is lost in a life of drug abuse, meets Duke. As their friendship deepens and Duke recognizes Gary's potential for improvement, he decides to lend a hand to his friend in trying to turn his life around. Together, they face their demons, drawing support and friendship from their common struggle.

I adore this book so much because it offers a true depiction of human hardships. To make the characters and their journeys feel very sympathetic, the author bravely digs into complex issues like addiction, damaged families, and the search for forgiveness. Another thing that captivates me is the rich descriptive writing. The author paints a clear picture in my mind and draws me completely into the novel with his or her detailed descriptions of the circus performances, the characters' emotions, and the charming settings. Reading it is a potent and viscerally stirring experience.

The exaggerated representation of introspection and the use of hard drugs didn't sit well with me as I went through the book's pages. These themes seemed to have the potential to be harmful, especially for young readers who might be affected by the actions of the characters. I was uneasy about it and cautious to suggest it to others.

I'd rate this book a strong 4 out of 5 stars. The story is made richer by the realistic representation of problems that address issues like addiction and damaged families. The detailed descriptive language vividly depicts the circus world. The recurrent use of methamphetamine and the manner the two protagonists' reckless lifestyles were shown were what caused me to subtract one star from the overall rating. It's still a fascinating and excellent read despite these little flaws. This book was exceptionally edited.

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The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
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