4 out of 4 stars
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Sword swallowing is a daredevil act. Every time the act of sword swallowing is done, the performer cheats death. It is one of those acts that leave you both horrified and astonished at the same time.
The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid is a fictional story based upon a real friendship between the author, Mr. Gary Robinson and Captain Don Leslie, a circus sideshow sword swallower. It gives a fictional account of events that have taken place in both their lives. Mr. Robinson wrote this book as a tribute to his friend.
The book is divided into three parts, each part centered around different themes. In Part 1, we meet the sword swallower Duke Reynolds. Duke is young boy who has ran away from home. His home was never a happy place and he wanted to escape. He found a place with the circus sideshow and his heart has never left it. Duke is somewhat of an eccentricity. He has tattoos all over his body. At that time, tattoos were taboo. He swallows swords for living. When he is not traveling with the circus, he earns his money by doing hired gigs or performances on the streets. We are also given an idea of what the circus lifestyle is like. It is far from glamorous. Instead, it is hard and gruelling and takes its toll on the performers. They all love their jobs and support each other throughout the duration of their careers. They are not just co-workers but friends and family. Duke would fondly refer to them as “his circus family” throughout the novel.
Part 2 is told from Gary’s perspective in the first person. It follows his life from graduating high school, throughout college, his life after college up to his meeting with Duke. Gary makes some really bad decisions that always end up costing him. He has never been successful at anything he chose to do. All of his jobs ended badly. The only thing that brought solace was writing about his life. Part 3 explores Gary and Duke’s friendship. Duke is somewhat of a mentor to Gary, albeit in an unconventional fashion. Duke has changed a lot since his circus days. He is still an oddity, however, he has matured and he tries to teach Gary a little bit about life. Just as Duke had been addicted to alcohol, so is Gary. Duke tries to show him that if he continues down his chosen path, his life would be one of misery.
This book has been Book of the Day several times and it was Book of the Month in May 2018. It is by no means an easy read. The language is coarse at some points and the main themes are addictions, substance abuse, and alcoholism. However, there is also friendship and redemption. Duke was able to change his life and his experiences left him wiser and more mature. With Duke’s help, Gary was also able to turn his life around. The friendship between them is the best thing about this book. It shows us that someone can change for the better. There is beauty to be found in every situation. For example, after Gary lost his job taking care of disabled persons, he went to a bar where he met Duke. That was the day his life changed for the better.
Persons who don’t like reading about addictions or have issues with coarse language should not read this book. It has some rough language throughout the entire book. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a bit of inspiration in their lives. You might not want to continue the book but I assure you the takeaway message is one that will stay with you. Everyone has a purpose and they will find it, or it will find them. Sometimes, it happens in a way that you least expect. I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars.
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The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
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