Katherine DunnGeek Love: A Novel

I returned to Geek Love after having first read it in the 90's. After two decades I can say without hesitation that this is a book that will stick with you, and that you will remember long after you read it. For something to have that effect on you as a reader is a beautiful thing, and very rare. It is a fantastic story told incredibly well, and deals with subject matter that pleasant society probably won't be comfortable with.The book chronicles the lives of the Binewski family and their carnival, focusing mostly on the relationships between Arturo (Aqua Man), his sister Olympia, and Olympia's daughter Miranda. It is not a book for the faint of heart or those with a gentle stomach. Geek Love is about carnival freaks, bred that way by their mother and father who believe that the more twisted they are by deformity the more precious and beautiful their very being. The book makes some poignant statements about being different and the unique outlook it can give you on life. It also points out the subjectivity of beauty and its downfalls.Every character in the book is well defined and brought to the forefront, and each character has a story to tell that is uniquely their own. From Horst the cat man to Doctor P and Mary Lick, there isn't a single character that doesn't shine in this novel. It is hard to review this book without revealing some of the plot, which shouldn't be done as it could spoil Geek Love for those who haven't read it. The story involves the carnival heavily, familial love, sacrifice, cults, incest, and views of so called "norms" toward the geeks.It is at every moment inspiring and heartbreaking, with so much to take away from the book that you think back on it frequently to reassess your opinion. Is Arturo merely a pompous self-absorbed jerk or is he terrified of being left alone and unloved? Do Al and Lil really not understand how hard they have made the lives of their children, are they blind to the dynamics of their family or is it too hard for them to look at as parents? was the Chick simple for all his brilliance or just too young to understand the ramifications of his actions and inaction? How can a person like Mrs. Lick not understand that she is acting out of her own pain while she "liberates" the beautiful?This is not to say that Geek Love doesn't end well, the conclusion of the book is as beautiful and simple as its beginning. It is perhaps the greatest testament to this novel that you are left with these moral questions, it isn't often that a piece of fiction will make you think so deeply on its subject matter and on the morality of the concepts it lays out.I wouldn't suggest this book to many of my friends for the simple fact that I don't believe they could get through Geek Love without hurling it across the room. It is offensive, but not purposefully so, it's the kind of book that shoves the world of freaks in your face and makes you feel like one. If for that reason alone it should be read by as many people as possible, it's a timeless piece of literature and worthy of being on the shelves of any reader who can take a moment to open their mind to a reality different from their own.

Geek Love is a powerful reading experience. I read this book last year and I still can't stop thinking about it. The images from this book are strong and provocative, something you can't forget. Just by reading the first sentence of the synopsis, parents who create their own freak show, you know that you are in for a wild and insane ride.Ms. Dunn created a unique and disturbing menagerie of characters with the story told from the perspective of the albino dwarf, Oly. She tells of her life before and after her carny life was destroyed. Oly never considers herself a successful member of her family; but she clung to her life in the carny world. Her life revolves around her more powerful siblings. She is their caretaker and follower. She is stuck in the middle of a deadly sibling conflict.Throughout the book, Oly takes us through all the dynamics that surround her disconcerting family. The constant battles of family supremacy continue to put Oly in the middle and she must pick sides, with the sides ever-changing. Her present consists of constantly keeping vigil over her daughter. Oly's raging emotions concerning her daughter, Miranda, are at the same time vicious and somewhat motherly. Oly's character makes you feel many things: horror, revulsion, and sympathy.Arturo, the Aquaboy, is the main attraction at the Binewski carnival. He is totally dependent on his family for his basic needs; but he rules over them with a tyrannical fist. He constantly feels threatened, especially by his sisters, Iphy and Elly. They are in constant battle on who is the main carnival attraction. Their parents, Al and Crystal, let their creations take over, rule and ultimately destroy their family. Furthermore, Arturo has a fanatical following that eventually turns into a cult. He preaches that the only way to "Peace, Isolation, Purity" was to become like him. He is able convince his followers to have their extremities amputated to feel isolated and helpless, which feeds Arturo's megalomaniacal needs. He is truly a diabolical character.Then there is Chick...the little innocent and dangerous boy who brings destruction to them all. All Chick wants is for his family to be happy. However, h e is the one who brings a brutal finality to this tragic sibling rivalry.I found this book to be an amazing read. It is disturbing but intriguing. You will not be able to put it down. Be careful not to read it before you go to sleep because you will have some serious funky dreams. I DID!

This book is truly something else. Katherine Dunn did a wonderful job of switching up the horror genre with this rather subtle horro that gets more and more disgusting as the plot progresses, all the while tempering it so you're not shocked out of the water.It's been a long time since I've been as disgusted by a book, and intrigued at the same time. This will be one of my favourites for years to come.

Pages change colors and materials, and are not the best quality, but okay overall.

Quoi dire de ce roman ? Etrange. Dérangeant. Dégoutant. Et pourtant, prenant et...fascinant. C'est peut-etre le meilleur terme que je puisse trouver. Fascinant!On est là à se demander "mais où va aller cette hisoire ?" Mais surtout "jusqu'où ?". Parce que oui, elle va loin cette histoire. Ohhh qu'est-ce que ça va loin? Certains ne le supporteront peut-etre pas. C'est certain.Mefiez-vous de la quatrième de couverture de cette édition anglaise, qui parle d'histoire d'amour. Ben... c'est que... si ça est de l'amour, c'est une amour (des amours) maladif, malsain, incestueux...

A great read although disturbing at times you just can't help loving the story and freaky characters.A must read for anyone who likes something a little different.

The book starts with a couple who meet at his circus, she works as a geek, that is, she bites the heads off live chickens while wearing a white dress and singing Schubert. They are not doing too well due to freak staffing shortages, so, by drug and radiation manipulation during her pregnancies, they try to create their own family freak show, resulting in a boy with flippers for hands and feet, Siamese twin girls, a bald albino dwarf girl and a boy with strange powers; and six jars of strange and deformed Human foetuses. Then it all starts to get a bit weird.The book is narrated by Olly, the dwarf girl. I don't want to give anything away, but this book is spiritual, ethical, philosophical, and it examines some deep aspects of inter-family behaviour. It's a fascinating read and I would thoroughly recommend it.