Review of Kinker

[Catherine Sweet]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Kinker" by Dave Letterfly Knoderer.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Kinker by Dave Letterfly Knoderer is a memoir about a teenage boy who is unhappy at home and runs away to join the circus. I remember dreaming about joining the circus as a child, so I was intrigued to read about a teenage boy who made the dream a reality.

As a teenager, Knoderer joins the circus as a drummer, immediately mucks in, and finds lots of work he can do. He erects the sideshow tent and operates the ticket booth. He helps the man who looks after the animals and builds an affinity with them. He continually looks to improve his skills, and as well as being a drummer, he becomes a sign writer. He is always making things to be used at the circus, such as welding a pole carrier. As he gets older, he creates a six-pony liberty act and a manège horse act. He enjoys real satisfaction from performing high-level acts at the circus.

The writing style is descriptive and enjoyable to read. The reader joins Knoderer on his journey and gets a real taste of circus life. He describes all the work behind the scenes, with everyone pulling together because whatever happens, the show must go on. He describes the camaraderie amongst the circus folk and how he enjoys listening to stories about their lives in the circus. He goes through some hard times but always manages to soldier on.

Knoderer's drive, determination and skills make him a distinctive character. His achievements, particularly as a teenage boy, are extraordinary. He is full of ideas and can turn his hand to anything. He describes the times when he lacks confidence and feels insecure. The reader feels involved in his journey and invested in what happens to him.

The author describes relationships with people such as Brownie, who looks after the animals, and Hayes, a farmer who loves the circus. These relationships are interesting and well-drawn, but I would have liked to know more about them as they weren't described in much depth.

The book has many photos relating to Knoderer's time in the circus. Although these were a valuable addition to the story in the book's Kindle version, they were a bit small.

It was clear that Knoderer loved the animals he cared for. He didn't care directly for the elephants, but I found it sad to read about them being shackled by chains and swaying side to side to cope with boredom.

Kinker would appeal to people interested in a behind-the-scenes look at circus life and stories of adventure and personal growth. I enjoyed reading this book and learnt a lot about circus life. I have taken off one mark for the size of the photos and the depiction of relationships lacking depth and award this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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Kinker
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[patricia MGBEMENA]

Knoderer joining the circus at a young age really shows the passion he had for the art. I beleive reading this book would tell me a lot about his career path.

[Joe Alex 2]

The review of Kinker makes the book sound like a fascinating glimpse into circus life, especially from the perspective of a determined teenage boy. I’m intrigued by Knoderer’s journey of personal growth, his bond with animals, and the behind-the-scenes look at the camaraderie in the circus. The inclusion of photos adds a nice touch, though it’s a shame about their small size. I’d definitely consider reading this to learn more about his unique adventures and the reality of circus life.