Book Review - The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson

 

 

The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson starts when a package is delivered, bringing back memories for Gary. Calvin notices his grandad is crying and wants to know why. Gary settles down to tell his life story, particularly all he learned from his sword-swallowing friend Duke.

Part one begins with Duke seeing the circus train arrive in town. Getting caught up in the excitement and magic, he follows the fantastic people and animals to the circus ground. Here he helps the performers set up for that evening's show. When asked how old he is, the fifteen-year-old Duke replies that he is eighteen, and he is offered a job as a casual laborer. Duke sees this as a new start and a way to escape his unhappy life, where alcoholism, fanatical religious doctrine, and abuse prevail. Duke regularly watches Carlos, the sword swallower, perform his act and is enthralled; when Carlos asks if he would like to be a sword swallower, Duke is eager to learn. Here is the beginning of Duke's life as a circus performer. It is a life Duke loves, but there is no guarantee that a circus performer will always have work. At different times in his life, Duke is a librarian, he studies music and sets up a band, he has a lengthy prison sentence, and he studies theology. Duke has many demons but leaves prison a different man!

Part two begins when Gary is at his graduation. As the school's student body president, he is about to make a speech. The Principal introduces Gary as one of the best students the school has had. However, Gary has drunk heavily since he was fifteen and left school without any plans for his life. He is popular with many friends, but they all float through college in a drug and alcohol-induced haze. After college, Gary parties hard. The downward spiral continues until, at thirty-five, with no money, no partner, and no job, he ends up in a tavern where a man tattooed from head to toe is on the stage with a microphone. Here is Duke performing his one-person show. Duke enthralls Gary. He thinks he is the most exciting man he has ever met, and when Duke leaves the tavern, Gary follows him. 

By part three, Gary is at his lowest, but introducing himself to Duke would be his making. Duke and Gary have an instant connection, and Duke takes Gary under his wing and becomes his mentor. 

I did not warm to Gary. He is a hypocrite because as soon as he reaches eighteen, he says to his mother, "Mom, I have had enough. You have a drink problem, and I cannot stand it anymore." ( Quote from page 145 ). He then tells her he will not see her again until she stops drinking. By this point in his life, Gary is an alcoholic and a drug addict! Until he meets Duke Gary's reckless, drunken excesses always end up hurting himself, public property, and other people. Until the end of the book, he always seems to get away with being a complete loser. I also could not understand why the preface to this book says The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson is a work of fiction based on Gary and his friend Captain Don Leslie's lives. However, he changes the Captain's name to Duke but still calls the character based on himself, Gary. Either this is a work of fiction, or it is an autobiography. At the moment, this is not very clear!

I loved Duke and found myself laughing with him and crying with him. I like the way Duke turns every knock back and horrible experience into a positive and something to be learned from. I love that Duke wears his heart on his sleeve. The love for his circus family is there for all to see. I also liked the humor throughout this book; e.g., on page twenty-five, a Jewish man says he would never mutilate his body with tattoos. The reply to this is, "What the hell did you do with your foreskin? Carry it in your front pocket?"

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid has an exciting and fast-paced story line. I admire Gary Robinson for writing this book which does not show him in perfect light. There are some editing mistakes, but they do not detract from a great story. 

I recommend that The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson be read by adult readers who should be aware of drug addiction, alcoholism, swearing, and sexual references. This book would be enjoyed by circus enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a brilliant read based on real-life people and events.

Thanks to Gary Robinson for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review. You can read more of my reviews here : http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html