Circus

by Claire Battershill

A dazzling collection of award-winning stories with the emotional punch, sharp wit, and disarming charm of Rebecca Lee, Karen Russell, Neil Smith, and Jessica Grant.

Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Step right up and prepare to be dazzled by this delightful debut from Claire Battershill, winner of the CBC Literary Award, co-winner of the  Canadian Authors Association’s Emerging Writer Award, and finalist for the inaugural PEN International/New Voices Award. As they transport us from a crowded airport departure lounge to the stillness of the British Museum, and from the spectacle of the Winter Olympics to the modesty of a local Miniatureland, these radiant stories explore the often surprising things we’re willing to do for love and human connection. Fed up with his long history of failed blind dates, a shy English bureaucrat gives himself thirty-one days to find love on the Internet. A father buys his daughter a blue plastic tent to ready her for outdoor adventure, but neither is prepared when the tent becomes a neighbourhood sensation. The world of competitive sports provides the backdrop for a young man’s coming of age in “Two-Man A Love Story.” And in the award-winning title story, the granddaughter of a former circus performer (who played the role of a man-wrestling bear) finds herself grappling with the capriciousness of life and love.

At once witty, tender-hearted, and profound, these stories are filled with a memorable and all-too-human cast of characters on the cusp of enormous change – whether they’re ready or not. Written in spare yet startling language, Circus is a beautiful reminder that sometimes everyday life can be the greatest show on Earth.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Canada, Ebooks, Canadian Literature, Literary Fiction, Adult Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2014

Reviews

[Amber Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bright and dreamy collection of short stories by talented Canadian writer Claire Battershill. In some stories the circus is more literal and in others it's entirely figurative, but each story has a touch of otherworldly wonder and sparkle that a circus brings. Not a fluffy cotton-candy circus, shiny and animal-free and full of easy-to-win games, but, in Battershill's words, "an Edwardian photograph of cross-dressing midgets with shotguns, whose limbs are being devoured by tigers that are actually people... There are handlebar mustaches, and perhaps there are bearded ladies with real beards. No Ferris wheels, but Siamese twins joined at the head wearing only one jumpsuit. No fishing for little plastic ducks with prizes on their bottoms, but maybe, if you're lucky, a fat and monocles man on an elephant, selling tickets at the entrance to the fairground."

The stories range from charming and lingering ("Sensation", "Two-Man Luge: A Love Story") to layered and uncertain ("Circus", "It Tastes Wonderful") to straight-up funneled sadness ("Brothers", "Quite Everyday Looking"). The stories all seem part of the collection, though, with Canadian distinction and a hint of magic even when they're breaking your heart.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just one story from a book of short stories. I don’t think I realized that when I picked it up. Or, if I did, I’d forgotten by the time I picked it up to read (now)! Anyway, I can’t really do a summary because it was so short and it seemed a bit all over the place. It moved too quickly to really have any kind of plot or story. It seemed like it might have made for a nice outline of an actual novel, maybe. That’s what gave it the 3 stars (ok) from me. A nice outline for a novel. But, really, it was too short, nothing much happened (until the very end, but then it ended, so we didn’t really get to find out what that was all about!).

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous collection of 9 short stories, each one a unique exploration into human relationships and the different passions that bind them. The storytelling has a slow, graceful rhythm, highlighted with quirky characters and their obsessions, idiosyncrasies, and unusual talents. With an unpretentious, conversational style this writer weaves her sentences together with a seemingly effortless and magical proficiency, turning minor details into delightful observations. A perfectly crafted selection.

[Anica Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this collection of short stories. These stories were whimsical, which is a really hard feeling to attain. "Circus" was a perfect title. My favorites were:
"Sensation" - a father buys his teenage daughter a tent, which they pitch in the middle of their living room. The oddity of its location is what makes it the neighborhood sensation.
"The Collective Name for Ninjas" - a grandfather's intrigue with being a ninja and how he relates to his grandson.
"Quite Everyday Looking" - a couple's vacation ends horribly wrong, and yet we have no idea what happens.

[beentsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these stories, in particular the title story, "Circus", "Sensation", and "The Collective Name for Ninjas". I really, really wish that the story "Brothers" had continued on, I want so much to know how it all played out.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of short stories in turns hopefully, whimsical and hauntingly sad.

[Jen Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This girl can write!
Claire Battershill's short stories are excellent! Characters are well developed and your left at the end of each story with a smile on your face.

[Brittney Andrews (beabookworm) · Rating 1 out of 5]

One word: huh?

[celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i actually really appreciate this, and above all these five stories: each small thing for the image of recreating what we love & what we want, in tiny miniature, and then being told to look, not touch. sensation for the everyday miracle of being with the one you love, but also for needing to be reminded every once in a while just how much of a miracle that is. two-man luge: a love story for the physicality of longing for something you can't even say & the relief of being granted it at last--that tipping point. circus for the inescapable, inevitable reality of the self, and how we cannot change, even to accept what's good for us, what loves us--because it is the only permanent thing about a world seeming always on the verge of end, one thing exchanged for another, nothing lasting, nothing staying. and it tastes wonderful for the steady anxiety of living, the neverending pulse beat of being ultimately alone with yourself and your heart from even the lover you sleep with in the same bed, from even the city you share with the world, from even the moon that never leaves your sky.

i'd also like to thank this book for reigniting within me an interest in short stories. i haven't written one in years but now i remember the merit in having something to say, and saying it in less, not more, and how that can be perfectly, wonderfully, sadly enough.

[Aysha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciate the work that went into this book— the careful fashioning of motifs and metaphors, the unity of effect that each story achieves, the diversely flawed cast of characters. It is primarily a book about human relationships, and the extraordinary nature of our daily lives. I feel I could have enjoyed this more if I were better able to suspend my disbelief. The main characters are all really quirky and intense in a way that I feel a more whimsically-minded person would be able to relate to. It's an enjoyable read, though, and all the stories manage to capture a certain emotion and bring you something to think about. My favourite one: Each Small Thing.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway in 2015 (?) and just discovered it buried deep in my bookshelf-oops!

The book was signed and stamped by the author, and came with a hand printed bookmark as well.

Circus is a complication of nine short stories. Some whimsical, and some heartbreaking. I really enjoyed them all!

[Benjamin Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of short stories. They were quite quirky, and many of them seemed to end just as they were getting going. But overall, they were enjoyable, and different from what I was expecting. Each story was quite different from the others in the book, which isn't always the case. A very good collection.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two stories were very interesting. Whimsical is the word most fitting to the way the short stories are told. I especially loved the story of teh blue tent in the living room. After that, though, my interest was lost.

[Megs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every story in this book 😍 it is so well written and the kind of whimsical storytelling that takes you away for a while. I got it from the library but now I need my own copy for my book case. Such beautiful storytelling!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s tricky to rate a collection of short stories. Some of these were great and stuck with me for days after(Sensation, the Collective Name for Ninjas, Circus), and some were interesting but I didn’t quite get, or I felt like it stopped short of something brilliant (Brothers, Quite Everyday Looking).
Overall an enjoyable read.

[Sakib Haque · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of short stories. Each story is unique, the end is there but the feeling each story left lingers as you move to another one.

[Jill S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book about the circus.

I loved this short story collection. Each premise feels new and somehow familiar, whimsical and wondrous and sad and hopeful. What a beautiful collection of beautiful writing. I’m glad I came across this gem.

[Caryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOUGHT FROM KOBO

Probably the shortest story I’ve ever read! What there was was quirky but funny. I just wish there had been more.

[Corinne Leigh Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging stories with complex, fascinating characters. Beautifully written with humour and great insight. Brilliant. I couldn't put it down.

[Gurnoor]

for school

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Debbie Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this novel comprised of short stories that focus on what we're willing to do for love and human connection.

[🍒 · Rating 3 out of 5]

i loved these short stories more than i thought i would

[Daiya Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

For school, these stories were so random man, but i've never been so caught off guard like i was for the last one

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensation was by far my favourite

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It tastes wonderful fucked me up ngl

[Roselyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

The cover is what initially attracted me to this book, which is something I would not have normally gone for. However, I did enjoy reading it, and am glad it caught my eye.

Short stories should be fun, at least in my opinion, and these, even when dealing with heavy subject matter, still provide an enjoyable reading experience. Each story in this collection is told in a different way, a way best suited to the story, and the thrill of not knowing what you’ll encounter when you turn the page keeps you reading. My favourite has to be “Each Small Thing”, but there weren’t any that I disliked.

From quiet meditations on everyday life to quirky, off-beat tales, from happiness to sadness to melancholy contemplation, this short volume covers a vast array of subjects. Each story ends at the exact right time; explaining enough for you to be able to enter the character’s world, while leaving enough unresolved to keep the stories cycling through your mind long after the last page is turned.

Batershill is excellent at capturing a character’s personality so completely that from the first page of the story you feel a certain intimacy with them. From teenage girls, to middle aged parents to retired men, you are awarded a window into each characters mind.

So, if you love short stories, you have to give this one a try.

[Rachel]

In terms of literary merit, this book was well written. The characterizations were detailed. The author tells a good story, expands well upon a certain theme without being heavy handed or overtly presentational.

In terms of personal enjoyment, the characters and stories felt a little flat. I wasn't invested enough in any of the characters, even though they were short stories and there wasn't enough action in the plot to keep my interest otherwise.

I can appreciate the work and the talent, however just not quite my cup of tea.

[Zach Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

Circus is a fantastic collection of short stories. Battershill write in beautiful, flowing, easy to read prose that draws the reader in and won't let go until it is finished with them.

Battershill mixes different genres and styles throughout the collection. This is highly entertaining to read and keeps you engaged and wondering what the next story will bring.

Her characters are believable, fun, and vivid. Her stories and imagination are wonderful and we'll executed. A must read for everyone, even if you think you don't like the short story 'genre,' because you will like this.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Susan in the title story, who practices her tightrope walking a couple of inches above a carpeted floor, Claire Battershill's debut collection is no high wire act to take the breath away; it does however demonstrate just as much skill, poise and balance. It's a quiet kind of daring but, for the attentive reader, all the more compelling for that. A thoroughly enjoyable - and rewarding - collection.