Review by jeminah28 -- The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid

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Jeremie Mondejar
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Review by jeminah28 -- The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid

Post by Jeremie Mondejar »

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Are you tense to see a circus performance? I enjoyed watching circus show when I was a young kid. I also shouted in awe as they perform unbelievably on the stage. I witness shocking performances as the performers balance their weight in a single rope and the high ladder. It is a hazardous job, yet some people risk their lives. Why?

The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid was written by Gary Robinson will take you to a story of a runaway kid. Duke Reynolds entered in a circus life when he was young. He was trained and learned to swallow a sword. Why did he choose this kind of work? How could he cheat death? Is it a trick? He meets a guy named Garry from Chico, California. Would Duke teach Garry to swallow a sword? How does Duke influence Garry's life?

This book indicates the life of the circus people. They make their audiences smile, yet their life is reciprocal to what they are executing. Will they continue living a life like this? Is a sword swallower still happening this day?

The story makes me stunned when the sword swallower accomplishes his task. It is full of entertainment and very interesting. I feel I am in the circus show gazing at them. I like the tattoo scenes, too. The author wanted his audience to understand that tattooing is also a fashion. The tattoo was being used in ancient times anywhere in the world. Each culture has its own concept of tattoo. Unfortunately, tattooing is the trademark of criminals, slaves and a few brave men.

I love this phrase, "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." Love must prevail. Love heals someone's heartaches. However, the book contains explicit scenes of cigarette smoking and drugs. Parental guidance is needed to a minor reader. I will recommend this book to a person who loves to consider circus sideshow. A person who likes adventures will also enjoy this book.

The story was inspired by the author's friendship with an old circus sword swallower. The prologue prompts my interest to read this book. I wanted to know the journey of a sword swallower. The story flows well and is easy to comprehend. I did not meet any misspelled words in this book. The grammar is good as well as the concept of the story. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The circus sideshow reminds of my childhood memories with my friends. This book entertains me on my idle time. I also grasped some ideas to think about with.

******
The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid
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Jeremie
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Post by Jgideon »

I really like the structure of your review-simple yet very informative.
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Post by elizab8 »

I have enjoyed the circus since my early childhood, have once performed in the circus, have seen so many "sword swallowing" in my time being with the circus. The brief synopsis shared by you of the content of the book; makes me think that I may not enjoy reading it. Mainly because of the illicit language and drugs; It seems as though it is "raw" reading and that can turn me off. Detective story's with drug trafficking is okay.

Great Post!
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Post by kdstrack »

Being a sword swallower is certainly a unique talent. Seems like an interesting story. Thanks for your review.
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Latest Review: The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson

Post by prinjeh18 »

Nice review. I am eager to read this one, too.
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Post by Jeremie Mondejar »

:P
Jgideon wrote: 04 May 2018, 04:21 I really like the structure of your review-simple yet very informative.
Thanks to you.
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Post by alisonedgee »

good review, lovely to see you had a good time with this book
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Post by Jeremie Mondejar »

alisonedgee wrote: 19 Jun 2018, 11:20 good review, lovely to see you had a good time with this book
:tiphat: thank you :tiphat:
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Post by Ilze Herholdt »

I have not yet been exposed to the circus really. Once as a child but don't really remember it. Thanks for your review.
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Post by R Benedicta »

1. "The Sword Swallower and Chico Kid" by Gary Robinson is a captivating and thought-provoking read.
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Post by JuliusOnyango »

Reading this book was an eye-opener for me. I used to hear about sword-swallowing but I never knew much about it. This book gave me a better perspective. Beautiful review. I enjoyed reading it.
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Post by JuliusOnyango »

Being a fan of the circus, I am definitely going to read this book. Thanks for an excellent review.
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Post by Peace Eze »

This book is one of a kind. I enjoyed the storyline of the book. I also like the setting.
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Post by Rose Odiwuor »

From the reviews of the sword swallower and a chico kid I have gained an interest of reading the book in order to know more about circus because I had only seen them in movies and also I am curious whether Duke taught Garry how to swallow the sword and also how the lives of those in the circus entertaining audience is completely different.
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Post by Rose Odiwuor »

From the reviews of the sword swallower and a chico kid I have gained an interest of reading the book in order to know more about circus because I had only seen them in movies and also I am curious whether Duke taught Garry how to swallow the sword and also how the lives of those in the circus entertaining audience is completely different.
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