Death of a Circus tells the story of the Bringlebright Circus, a small fictional troupe traveling the United States in the early twentieth century, an era when circuses are falling out of favor and only the largest shows are enduring. Initially, the book follows Lor Cole, a young African American man from Connecticut who dreams of leaving behind his provincial past and making a name for himself as a high-wire walker. Upon joining Bringlebright, however, Lor quickly learns that the characters who join him under the big top have their own stories to tell.
Closest to Lor is Cirella Flannery, a startlingly devious fire-eater who has struggled for survival since her spirited days in a juvenile detention facility. Ranju, Bringlebright's reclusive chief animal trainer, hides a history of magic and trickery that may be his undoing. Stalwart, Ranju's protégé, finds solace in his journal even as he grapples with a mysterious connection to Lor. Presiding over the show is Mr. Barnacle, the ringmaster, a charlatan who constantly concocts new stratagems to keep Bringlebright afloat. Together, these performers create a colorful ensemble that illuminates the twin sides of the show: one rapturously razzle-dazzle, the other rough-and-tumble.
Praise for Death of a Circus
“Puts a fresh spin on the timeworn myths of the big top. Chandra Prasad's Death of a Circus is narrated with Dickensian verve, a keen eye for historical detail, and lots of heart.”
- Tom Perrotta, author of Little Children
“Prasad's narrative dives under the roar of the crowd and the trumpeting of elephants to take you into a world of desperation, high-wire hijinks, romance and murder. Compulsively readable and historically detailed, her lyrical prose creates a powerful mood that sticks with you long after the big top comes down.”
- Arthur Rosenfeld, author of A Cure For Gravity
“A page-turner, a dark fairy tale rich in its portrayal of its characters, and filled with vivid detail that limns the exotic world of circus performers in another era.”
- Marian Thurm, author of What's Come Over You
“Prasad has written a well-crafted, fascinating adventure story that spans across early twentieth century America. Rich in detail and character.”
- Michael Eisner, author of The Crusader
“Death of a Circus gives us not only the roar, the glitter, and the chills and thrills of an early twentieth century circus, but also a vivid understanding of the tawdry, dangerous, filthy, and human inner workings of the big top. This is the story of one black drifter who literally rises to the top of the circus world as the greatest, most inventive tightrope walker on earth. Fittingly, the language of Death of a Circus is acrobatic, sinewy, and daring.”
- Polly Whitney, author of This Is Graceanne's Book
“Death of a Circus is a compelling story of people on the edges of society—circus workers, thieves, prostitutes, and impoverished hobos—which grapples with the heart of American identity through its exploration of social mobility, the formation of celebrity, U.S. race relations, and sexuality.”
-Janet M. Davis, author of The Circus Age: Culture and Society Under the American Big Top
“Prasad walks a fine line between realism and fantasy in her construction of circus life. But she walks this line gracefully, with nary a misstep. Her vivid characters live not just in the center ring spotlight, but also in the shadows of the circus backyard. They've come from wildly varied pasts, and carry with them unique fears, phobias, and fascinations. The result is a volatile mix under the big top, and a story loaded with color, compassion, joy, and heartbreak.”
-James Foster, former editor of The White Tops, official magazine of the Circus Fans Association of America
“Chandra Prasad is a writer of merit and daring, weaving language and story together in a manner that is uniquely modern, even as it echoes early twentieth century traditions.”
-Don Massey, author of A Matter of Degree: The Hartford Circus Fire & The Mystery of Little Miss 1565