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The Ninth Circle
When Dan, 16, runs away from a terrible home life to join a circus, he has no idea what he’s getting himself into. Based on Dante’s Inferno, THE NINTH CIRCLE follows a young man’s coming-of-age as he travels with the circus through nine states. With the Ringmaster as his guide, Dan finds himself falling in love with the Bearded Lady but hated by almost everyone else, including the Strong Man, the Lion Tamers and The Sword Swallower. Meanwhile, he discovers that the performers have uncanny abilities and dark secrets, especially the person who’s looking to destroy the circus from within. Praise For T H E N I N T H C I R C L E Brendan Deneen's debut novel, THE NINTH CIRCLE, tells the story of a young runaway who finds himself drawn into the strange, often dangerous and certainly bizarre world of a fantastical circus. Imaginative, dark, and surreal, this is one coming of age tale that will haunt you long after you turn the last page. -Kristin Hannah, New York Times-bestselling author of FIREFLY LANE Surgically precise, irresistible, tragically cool, and jacked up with the smart-talk and surly attitudes of high school culture, Brendan Deneen's modern fantasy THE NINTH CIRCLE grabs the reader
with a grappling hook and doesn't let go until the final page. Echoes of Bradbury reverberate between the lines - the master would have loved this. Very creepy and highly recommended!" -Jay Bonansinga, New York Times Bestselling co-author of THE WALKING THE FALL OF THE GOVERNOR Ever want to run away to the circus? And what would that really be like? With the storytelling skills of a master, Brendan Deneen's THE NINTH CIRCLE summons the mythic yet very real tale of young Daniel, 16, and his escape from hell at home.to something magical and amazing. Filled with moments that will have readers imagining the circus of their dreams and nightmares, THE NINTH CIRCLE holds a big-top mirror up to 'Dante's Inferno'. As readers watch Daniel become involved with classic circus archetypes - a clown, the ringmaster, the acrobat and even, yes, the geek - we follow Daniel and this traveling troupe that, with each Canto, goes deeper into the dark secrets of this strange circus. As if channeling a modern era Nightmare Alley or even Tod Browning's Freaks, THE NINTH CIRCLE is compelling reading, both haunting and totally unforgettable.
-Matthew Costello, author of RAGE and VACATION A surreal and unsettling tour of hell through the eyes of a young man in the circus. THE NINTH CIRCLE is undeniably compelling, cant-look-away reading. Get this book now. -Nate Kenyon, award-winning author of DAY ONE and STORM OF LIGHT THE NINTH CIRCLE is a vibrant and assured coming of age tale, full of the fantastical, strange and grotesque. If cool, dark circuses and compelling characters are your thing, this is the book for you. -Megan Chance, award-winning author of Bone River Praise for S C A T T E R B R A I N “With innovative and original art and a griping story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, SCATTERBRAIN should soon find itself at the top of everyone’s reading list. Deneen and Kudranski have put together an impressive package. You’ll be kicking yourself for years if you miss this one.” - Robert Kirkman, New York Times-bestselling Creator of The Walking Dead “SCATTERBRAIN is an ambitious debut from two very talented creators. Recommended.” - Brian K. Vaughan, New York Times-bestselling Creator of The Last Man “Rarely has a book embraced the raw grime and grit of a hero gone mad.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2014
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319 people want to read
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July 2, 2014
Three and a half stars.
In The Ninth Circle by Brendan Deneen, 16 year old Dan feels forgotten and neglected by his family with the exception of his older brother who torments him constantly. One day he is reluctantly dragged to the circus and become entranced with its mystery. “It’s not lame. It’s awesome,” He exclaims. He runs away to the circus and is accepted and protected by the ringmaster. Yet he finds that the circus hold torments of its own. He is considered an outsider and most of the performers are hostile to him. As the circus travels from Massachusetts to Louisiana, he discovers that each circus resident has their own torments and are living in their own version of hell. It is Dan’s unacknowledged quest to discover how and if he fits in as he negotiates this strange coming-of-age journey he finds himself in.
The Ninth Circle can be overwhelmingly depressing at times and parts are quite violent. Yet it can also be eerily beautiful in its descriptions of the circus and its misfit crew. The author’s somewhat episodic book plays out in “Cantos” rather than chapters. As the circus travels through the nine states, Dan becomes involved with the circus people whose reactions to him range from amused affection to violent hostility. Each has a tale and each has an affliction, whether emotional or physical, that coincides with their actions of the past.
Now if this is starting to sound strangely familiar, it is probably because you have read The Inferno by Dante Alighieri. There are nine states which the circus travels through correlating to Dante’s nine circles of hell. Many of the names of the characters in Inferno show up in The Ninth Circle, such as Guido, Horace, and Beatrice. Many of the novel’s characters suffer similar fates as their Dante counterparts. For instance, in Dante’s classic, fortune tellers’ heads are reversed so they are eternally forced to walk in a way they cannot see where they are going. Deneen’s fortune teller does not experience such a physical torture but her more realistic psychological suffering has the same result. The Ninth Circle is Brendan Deneen's imaginative retelling of The Inferno set to the big top and peppered with the suffering of the damned. Dan is the visitor both hated and envied for his freedom to leave if he chooses and for the promise that he still holds in his young life. Dan experiences this circus inferno with both horror and bewilderment as he tries to understand. At the end, we do not really know what Dan has learned for he is still a child and, just like Dante’s visitor to Hell, he yet has the wisdom and experience to fit it all together.
Clearly readers of The Ninth Circle will gleam more from the book if they are familiar with Dante’s Inferno. Yet Deneen’s version holds up well on its own and a familiarity with Dante’s classic work is not totally essential to enjoy this fantasy horror novel. The author has a good grasp of the magical realism that permeates this strange circus world. Realism and fantasy mixes well in Deneen’s hands. The book also fits solidly in a sub-genre of carnival themed horror novels that includes Katherine Dunn’s Geek Love, Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Will Elliott’s The Pilo Family Circus.
While The Ninth Circle may seem a bit fragmented and relentlessly downbeat, it eventually shines forth with a strange and beautiful look at the human condition, which is another thing it has in common with its ancestral role model. I strongly recommend this book to those who like carnival themed dark fiction and those who revel in the dark side of life.
In The Ninth Circle by Brendan Deneen, 16 year old Dan feels forgotten and neglected by his family with the exception of his older brother who torments him constantly. One day he is reluctantly dragged to the circus and become entranced with its mystery. “It’s not lame. It’s awesome,” He exclaims. He runs away to the circus and is accepted and protected by the ringmaster. Yet he finds that the circus hold torments of its own. He is considered an outsider and most of the performers are hostile to him. As the circus travels from Massachusetts to Louisiana, he discovers that each circus resident has their own torments and are living in their own version of hell. It is Dan’s unacknowledged quest to discover how and if he fits in as he negotiates this strange coming-of-age journey he finds himself in.
The Ninth Circle can be overwhelmingly depressing at times and parts are quite violent. Yet it can also be eerily beautiful in its descriptions of the circus and its misfit crew. The author’s somewhat episodic book plays out in “Cantos” rather than chapters. As the circus travels through the nine states, Dan becomes involved with the circus people whose reactions to him range from amused affection to violent hostility. Each has a tale and each has an affliction, whether emotional or physical, that coincides with their actions of the past.
Now if this is starting to sound strangely familiar, it is probably because you have read The Inferno by Dante Alighieri. There are nine states which the circus travels through correlating to Dante’s nine circles of hell. Many of the names of the characters in Inferno show up in The Ninth Circle, such as Guido, Horace, and Beatrice. Many of the novel’s characters suffer similar fates as their Dante counterparts. For instance, in Dante’s classic, fortune tellers’ heads are reversed so they are eternally forced to walk in a way they cannot see where they are going. Deneen’s fortune teller does not experience such a physical torture but her more realistic psychological suffering has the same result. The Ninth Circle is Brendan Deneen's imaginative retelling of The Inferno set to the big top and peppered with the suffering of the damned. Dan is the visitor both hated and envied for his freedom to leave if he chooses and for the promise that he still holds in his young life. Dan experiences this circus inferno with both horror and bewilderment as he tries to understand. At the end, we do not really know what Dan has learned for he is still a child and, just like Dante’s visitor to Hell, he yet has the wisdom and experience to fit it all together.
Clearly readers of The Ninth Circle will gleam more from the book if they are familiar with Dante’s Inferno. Yet Deneen’s version holds up well on its own and a familiarity with Dante’s classic work is not totally essential to enjoy this fantasy horror novel. The author has a good grasp of the magical realism that permeates this strange circus world. Realism and fantasy mixes well in Deneen’s hands. The book also fits solidly in a sub-genre of carnival themed horror novels that includes Katherine Dunn’s Geek Love, Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Will Elliott’s The Pilo Family Circus.
While The Ninth Circle may seem a bit fragmented and relentlessly downbeat, it eventually shines forth with a strange and beautiful look at the human condition, which is another thing it has in common with its ancestral role model. I strongly recommend this book to those who like carnival themed dark fiction and those who revel in the dark side of life.
March 4, 2014
REVIEW ALSO ON: http://bibliomantics.com/2014/03/03/a...
Brendan Deneen's The Ninth Circle was inspired by the fabulous circus novel Geek Love by Katherine Dunn, as well as the Dante poem The Inferno. With the Ringleader taking on the role of Virgil, he leads teenager Daniel (who has been living a Hell on earth with his family) and shows him a more literal Hell, represented in the circus which travels through nine states reminiscent of the nine circles that Dante and Virgil travel through to get to purgatory. All while Dan learns about the sins and stories of those who inhabit the circus freak show. Very uplifting stuff.
The story ultimately follows Daniel -- this story's Dante -- who seems to go unnoticed by everyone around him except his sadistic older brother and the circus folk who take him in. Although with very few exceptions like his new love interest the Bearded Lady and the Ringmaster who leads him through the circus, the workers don't think he belongs, much as the dead are disturbed that the living Dante has entered their domain. Not only does he not belong because he's an outsider, but they're partially unwilling to allow him in because they don't want anyone to suffer as they suffer. See, told you it was uplifting.
As with Dante's original poem, the novel opens with Daniel in the vestibule to Hell (in this case the entrance to the circus) before he runs away from home and is taken into Hell by the Ringmaster. Which is pretty rough considering the people who inhabit the circus are in a living Hell trapped in and tortured by their own pasts. This is especially interesting when you consider that circuses themselves are representative of the American past.
Since Daniel cannot travel literal circles of Hell, because there's only so much magical realism within the text, the Ringmaster takes him from state to state where he learns more about the pasts of the Acrobat, the Strong Man, the Fire Eater, the Clown, the Escape Artist, the Magician, the Bearded Lady, the Fat Lady and the Traitor, with chapters being referred to as "cantos" as in the original poem. Albeit not structured as poetry.
Also as with Dante's construction, each circle represents a different sin and each punishment for the sinful ones are a form of poetic justice. For example, in the original, fortune tellers have to walk with their heads turned around backward so they are unable to see what literally lies ahead of them as punishment for peeking unto the future. A similar fate befalls Daniel's Fortune Teller although not so literal. As Virgil explains, these punishments are chosen in life because of the sins committed. In much this same way, the members of the circus are being punished in the present by their past deeds and choices.
There's a circus member on the run for killing his brother and wife after their sex scandal because he was overcome by lust, the hoarder who was punished for his greed in holding onto goods, tricksters who are bit by snakes, those who prove to be false are stricken down with disease, in this case leprosy and in the very center of Hell (or the Big Top) Satan himself, who is represented by a mysterious figure who is set on destroying the circus from the inside. You don't even want to know how Satan punishes traitors.
In addition to the circles of Hell and the states focusing on sins, there are also some characters names which you may recognize throughout the text. Take for example the Acrobat named Homer who is super into philosophy and who is lamenting the loss of his friend Horace. In Circle One, Dante encounters the poets Homer and Horace who are trapped in Limbo with philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc for being filthy unbaptized pagans. THE HORROR!
There's also Cal the Fortune Teller's son Guido, named after Guido Bonatti, an astrologer who can be found in the Eighth Circle along with the punishments for fortune tellers. Read: the head backwards thing I discussed above.
Not to mention Mal the Animal Trainer who could be named after the Malebranch ("Evil Claws") thirteen demons led by Malacoda who use their farts as trumpets for comic relief purposes or possibly after Malebolge, which are a series of ditches in the Eighth Circle of Hell. One such ditch is a pool of excrement which flatterers are punished in since they spew so much shit. Poetic, huh? And for a guy who cleans up after animals, the excrement makes more sense. There's also his collection of beasts, including the bear named Ugolina after Count Ugolina, who drove Pisa to food shortages and riots and was punished by being locked away with his sons and starved to death. He can be found in Circle Nine chewing on the head of Archbishop Ruggieri degli Ubaldini. Yeah, you do not want to trust that bear.
SIDE NOTE: These are of course by no means comprehensive examples within the book because it's been a while since I cracked open Dante so there are probably a billion things I missed. Also, I'm not an expert on The Inferno by any means. Mostly because that class never fit into my college schedule.
The elements also come into play throughout the novel. Rain stands in for actually freezing rain, vicious dogs become representative of the three-headed guard dog Cerberus, a torrential downpour is the river Styx, the circus in Mobile is set on top of a huge cliff like the Malebolge, an ice-storm stands in for traitors being encased in ice, etc, etc.
Partially because of the subject matter (it's inspired by Hell and revolves around a freak show), Deneen is not afraid to be politically incorrect with the way his narrator refers to little people and the mentally disabled and he throws around some homophobic slurs that could be offensive to some. It's also steeped in violence -- particularly in the last circle -- which may also be a detriment to anyone who doesn't like graphic descriptions of disembowelment.
However, if you can get past that because you're looking for an intriguing retelling of The Inferno and have a soft spot for books set in a circus world then this is definitely for you.
Also, how could you say no to that gorgeous cover art? Come on!
Brendan Deneen's The Ninth Circle was inspired by the fabulous circus novel Geek Love by Katherine Dunn, as well as the Dante poem The Inferno. With the Ringleader taking on the role of Virgil, he leads teenager Daniel (who has been living a Hell on earth with his family) and shows him a more literal Hell, represented in the circus which travels through nine states reminiscent of the nine circles that Dante and Virgil travel through to get to purgatory. All while Dan learns about the sins and stories of those who inhabit the circus freak show. Very uplifting stuff.
The story ultimately follows Daniel -- this story's Dante -- who seems to go unnoticed by everyone around him except his sadistic older brother and the circus folk who take him in. Although with very few exceptions like his new love interest the Bearded Lady and the Ringmaster who leads him through the circus, the workers don't think he belongs, much as the dead are disturbed that the living Dante has entered their domain. Not only does he not belong because he's an outsider, but they're partially unwilling to allow him in because they don't want anyone to suffer as they suffer. See, told you it was uplifting.
As with Dante's original poem, the novel opens with Daniel in the vestibule to Hell (in this case the entrance to the circus) before he runs away from home and is taken into Hell by the Ringmaster. Which is pretty rough considering the people who inhabit the circus are in a living Hell trapped in and tortured by their own pasts. This is especially interesting when you consider that circuses themselves are representative of the American past.
Since Daniel cannot travel literal circles of Hell, because there's only so much magical realism within the text, the Ringmaster takes him from state to state where he learns more about the pasts of the Acrobat, the Strong Man, the Fire Eater, the Clown, the Escape Artist, the Magician, the Bearded Lady, the Fat Lady and the Traitor, with chapters being referred to as "cantos" as in the original poem. Albeit not structured as poetry.
Also as with Dante's construction, each circle represents a different sin and each punishment for the sinful ones are a form of poetic justice. For example, in the original, fortune tellers have to walk with their heads turned around backward so they are unable to see what literally lies ahead of them as punishment for peeking unto the future. A similar fate befalls Daniel's Fortune Teller although not so literal. As Virgil explains, these punishments are chosen in life because of the sins committed. In much this same way, the members of the circus are being punished in the present by their past deeds and choices.
There's a circus member on the run for killing his brother and wife after their sex scandal because he was overcome by lust, the hoarder who was punished for his greed in holding onto goods, tricksters who are bit by snakes, those who prove to be false are stricken down with disease, in this case leprosy and in the very center of Hell (or the Big Top) Satan himself, who is represented by a mysterious figure who is set on destroying the circus from the inside. You don't even want to know how Satan punishes traitors.
In addition to the circles of Hell and the states focusing on sins, there are also some characters names which you may recognize throughout the text. Take for example the Acrobat named Homer who is super into philosophy and who is lamenting the loss of his friend Horace. In Circle One, Dante encounters the poets Homer and Horace who are trapped in Limbo with philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc for being filthy unbaptized pagans. THE HORROR!
There's also Cal the Fortune Teller's son Guido, named after Guido Bonatti, an astrologer who can be found in the Eighth Circle along with the punishments for fortune tellers. Read: the head backwards thing I discussed above.
Not to mention Mal the Animal Trainer who could be named after the Malebranch ("Evil Claws") thirteen demons led by Malacoda who use their farts as trumpets for comic relief purposes or possibly after Malebolge, which are a series of ditches in the Eighth Circle of Hell. One such ditch is a pool of excrement which flatterers are punished in since they spew so much shit. Poetic, huh? And for a guy who cleans up after animals, the excrement makes more sense. There's also his collection of beasts, including the bear named Ugolina after Count Ugolina, who drove Pisa to food shortages and riots and was punished by being locked away with his sons and starved to death. He can be found in Circle Nine chewing on the head of Archbishop Ruggieri degli Ubaldini. Yeah, you do not want to trust that bear.
SIDE NOTE: These are of course by no means comprehensive examples within the book because it's been a while since I cracked open Dante so there are probably a billion things I missed. Also, I'm not an expert on The Inferno by any means. Mostly because that class never fit into my college schedule.
The elements also come into play throughout the novel. Rain stands in for actually freezing rain, vicious dogs become representative of the three-headed guard dog Cerberus, a torrential downpour is the river Styx, the circus in Mobile is set on top of a huge cliff like the Malebolge, an ice-storm stands in for traitors being encased in ice, etc, etc.
Partially because of the subject matter (it's inspired by Hell and revolves around a freak show), Deneen is not afraid to be politically incorrect with the way his narrator refers to little people and the mentally disabled and he throws around some homophobic slurs that could be offensive to some. It's also steeped in violence -- particularly in the last circle -- which may also be a detriment to anyone who doesn't like graphic descriptions of disembowelment.
However, if you can get past that because you're looking for an intriguing retelling of The Inferno and have a soft spot for books set in a circus world then this is definitely for you.
Also, how could you say no to that gorgeous cover art? Come on!
August 3, 2016
This is truly a coming of age tale. I couldn't relate to it. I tried really hard to get "into" this read, but I just couldn't.
I was always wondering what the big deal was with sending the boy home as his presence created turmoil that could have easily been avoided.
The boy's attraction to the bearded lady weirded me out and the conversation she had with him about her exe's seemed inappropriate for such an immature boy.
Although we get back-story for the clownies, there just wasn't enough "heart" or meaty parts for me to get lost in this read.
A dark tale of an overlooked boy seeking something new and getting more than he expected.
I was always wondering what the big deal was with sending the boy home as his presence created turmoil that could have easily been avoided.
The boy's attraction to the bearded lady weirded me out and the conversation she had with him about her exe's seemed inappropriate for such an immature boy.
Although we get back-story for the clownies, there just wasn't enough "heart" or meaty parts for me to get lost in this read.
A dark tale of an overlooked boy seeking something new and getting more than he expected.
Want to read
November 7, 2014Adding this because American Horror Story:Freak Show is #1 on my list right now, and apparently MTV says that this has sword swallowers, lion tamers and bearded ladies among other ''anomalies'' or ''aberrations''. Huh, we'll see...
August 28, 2014
This dark novel follows Dan, a 16-year-old runaway. With an alcoholic dad, a mom who barely acknowledges him as her child, and an abusive older brother, who can blame him for running away?
Dan finds refuge with the circus, specifically with the Ringmaster, who takes him on as an assistant. Dan looks up to his new mentor, this father figure in his new life. But not all the freaks with the circus want him there, and they make it obvious.
Though he is sixteen, Dan has lived a sheltered life and often seems younger than his actual age. Until, it seems, it comes to women. His attraction is apparent, his inexperience and naiveté obvious.
I like the dark feel of this book, with its references to sin and delving deeper into the nature of sin, which is based on Dante's Inferno. Also intriguing are the supernatural elements.
The characters are three dimensional, and we get a good feel for each of them, even though the narration is from Dan's point of view. After Dan begins to get ensconced in the day-to-day activities of the circus, each chapter is almost its own story within the novel, focusing on Dan's encounter with one circus freak, revealing more about that character and how Dan feels toward him or her.
Though the author didn't pinpoint the time period, the novel isn't set in modern day, where every man, woman, and child has a cell phone, which is a good thing because that would have changed the entire mood of the novel.
Overall, I like this debut prose novel from Brendan Deneen, but there are questions I still have and characters I want to get to know better. I think fans of classic horror or dark fantasy will enjoy the novel as much as I did.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This review originally posted to Twisted Book Junkie.
Dan finds refuge with the circus, specifically with the Ringmaster, who takes him on as an assistant. Dan looks up to his new mentor, this father figure in his new life. But not all the freaks with the circus want him there, and they make it obvious.
Though he is sixteen, Dan has lived a sheltered life and often seems younger than his actual age. Until, it seems, it comes to women. His attraction is apparent, his inexperience and naiveté obvious.
I like the dark feel of this book, with its references to sin and delving deeper into the nature of sin, which is based on Dante's Inferno. Also intriguing are the supernatural elements.
The characters are three dimensional, and we get a good feel for each of them, even though the narration is from Dan's point of view. After Dan begins to get ensconced in the day-to-day activities of the circus, each chapter is almost its own story within the novel, focusing on Dan's encounter with one circus freak, revealing more about that character and how Dan feels toward him or her.
Though the author didn't pinpoint the time period, the novel isn't set in modern day, where every man, woman, and child has a cell phone, which is a good thing because that would have changed the entire mood of the novel.
Overall, I like this debut prose novel from Brendan Deneen, but there are questions I still have and characters I want to get to know better. I think fans of classic horror or dark fantasy will enjoy the novel as much as I did.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This review originally posted to Twisted Book Junkie.
March 27, 2014
Do you enjoy dark reads? Guts,Gore,and Death in you books? Then pick up the Ninth Circle. This book is dark really dark. The opening chapters give us a glimpse into Daniel's life before he runs away to the circus. It's not a good life. His dad is an alcoholic, his mom is having an affair and can hardly stand him it seems. His brother is an abusive jerk. Clearly it's not a life he loves. For his sixteenth birthday his parents take him to the circus. He falls in love with the life and glitter. The rest of the story follows Daniel as he spends time with the preformers. The book is depressing and funny and gross. Clearly it's right up my alley. Each performer has their own life that they ran away from. The highlight for me was Daniel's time with the Magician.
There seemed to be a few characters that had supernatural abilities. This isn't really explained in the book. It's disconcerting because it's so real. The ending was a trip. Holy cow. I enjoyed this book immensely and won't hesitate to read another novel by this author.
There seemed to be a few characters that had supernatural abilities. This isn't really explained in the book. It's disconcerting because it's so real. The ending was a trip. Holy cow. I enjoyed this book immensely and won't hesitate to read another novel by this author.
Read
March 17, 2014I just couldn't get into this. I made it 25% before I put it down. The circus characters are not pleasant to interact with, and it reads like that will be the story, our main character meeting different weird circus people. With the intro building empathy for the main character by having school kids bully him, his older brother stabbing him without his parents caring, and his mom not hiding that she's having an affair, I'm not surprised to hear that the end gets really gross and more sadistic.
August 5, 2015
Three and a half stars is what I rate this book. Basically, it is a retelling of "The Inferno" set in a traveling circus. The nine circles are represented by the nine states the circus travels through, starting in Boston, Massachusetts where Daniel, the young runaway joins and is mentored/guided by the Ringmaster and completing its journey in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Daniel initially runs away because his domestic home life is a kind of hell dominated by his cruel brother and emotionally distant father. Even though he is under the Ringmaster's protection, Daniel is initially greeted with violence and hostility by many of the performers. To that end there is quite a bit of violence perpetrated against Daniel.
In each state, Daniel is given opportunities to learn about different performers. Each of these individuals is in the process of experiencing or running away from their own particular brands of hell. Each story unfolds and as Daniel becomes a witness and participant to each performers story, he slowly becomes more accepted by the troupe.
By the end of the story, Daniel has garnered a level of respect and care from many members of the troupe. It is all put to the test because unknown by the Ringmaster, a traitor has been operating in their midst attempting to take down the circus. At each of the nine stops, misfortune dogs the show until in New Orleans, it all comes undone in two nights of violence and terror. The descriptions here are not for the squeamish as animals turn on performers and it is very graphically written.
In the end, Daniel will be returned to his life. We won't know what he has learned from his experiences or how he will apply it to his life but we do know that he has experienced a level of darkness and a getting of wisdom. The circus is always a great backdrop to a story because it seems to evoke in readers the joy of childhood; the mystery of travelers who come to a place for a brief time, impact the people they touch and then disappear just as mysteriously; and the darkness of the carnie life as it is populated by outsiders and people who need or want to live outside the long arm of the law.
This is not a long book - 212 pages on an e-reader. The chapters are labeled as Cantos just like "The Inferno." For those that have read "The Inferno" there will be the added layer of comparing the two but its certainly not a prerequisite for enjoying the story which stands alone quite well without it. A wonderful experience. Recommend it!!
Daniel initially runs away because his domestic home life is a kind of hell dominated by his cruel brother and emotionally distant father. Even though he is under the Ringmaster's protection, Daniel is initially greeted with violence and hostility by many of the performers. To that end there is quite a bit of violence perpetrated against Daniel.
In each state, Daniel is given opportunities to learn about different performers. Each of these individuals is in the process of experiencing or running away from their own particular brands of hell. Each story unfolds and as Daniel becomes a witness and participant to each performers story, he slowly becomes more accepted by the troupe.
By the end of the story, Daniel has garnered a level of respect and care from many members of the troupe. It is all put to the test because unknown by the Ringmaster, a traitor has been operating in their midst attempting to take down the circus. At each of the nine stops, misfortune dogs the show until in New Orleans, it all comes undone in two nights of violence and terror. The descriptions here are not for the squeamish as animals turn on performers and it is very graphically written.
In the end, Daniel will be returned to his life. We won't know what he has learned from his experiences or how he will apply it to his life but we do know that he has experienced a level of darkness and a getting of wisdom. The circus is always a great backdrop to a story because it seems to evoke in readers the joy of childhood; the mystery of travelers who come to a place for a brief time, impact the people they touch and then disappear just as mysteriously; and the darkness of the carnie life as it is populated by outsiders and people who need or want to live outside the long arm of the law.
This is not a long book - 212 pages on an e-reader. The chapters are labeled as Cantos just like "The Inferno." For those that have read "The Inferno" there will be the added layer of comparing the two but its certainly not a prerequisite for enjoying the story which stands alone quite well without it. A wonderful experience. Recommend it!!
December 22, 2015
The Ninth Circle is a very bizarre story about a boy who runs away with the circus. Dan's life at home is hell and he wants to escape his sadistic brother, alcoholic and abusive father and his beaten down mother who allows his punishment to continue.
Even his school life is pain. when he's not succeeding at be invisible, he's beaten down by those who finally notice him. He's a bit emotionally stunted for a 16 year old and seems to act much younger but then again with his life, who could expect otherwise.
We get to meet the members of the circus - especially the members of the freak show - through Dan's eyes as he travels with them acting as the assistant for his mentor, the Ringmaster.
Everyone wants to share their tale of their F'd up life with this kid. Either that or beat him up and eject him because the stowaway kid will be bad news for the circus folk.
I'm not really sure of the purpose of the tale except to maybe teach us that there's always someone worse off than us and that you can't assume what's going on inside someone's head. Either way, its a strange sorted tale of the circus and certain sides of life.
The tale is full of tragedy, loss, sadness and occasionally overtures of friendship.
I'm still trying to figure out the meaning of the Magician in the tale. Was he symbolic? Real? The Devil? You tell me. Maybe the figures in the story are avatars of the major arcana of the tarot. In a way they did seem to reflect the meaning of those cards.
It was well written but a bit odd for me personally.
Even his school life is pain. when he's not succeeding at be invisible, he's beaten down by those who finally notice him. He's a bit emotionally stunted for a 16 year old and seems to act much younger but then again with his life, who could expect otherwise.
We get to meet the members of the circus - especially the members of the freak show - through Dan's eyes as he travels with them acting as the assistant for his mentor, the Ringmaster.
Everyone wants to share their tale of their F'd up life with this kid. Either that or beat him up and eject him because the stowaway kid will be bad news for the circus folk.
I'm not really sure of the purpose of the tale except to maybe teach us that there's always someone worse off than us and that you can't assume what's going on inside someone's head. Either way, its a strange sorted tale of the circus and certain sides of life.
The tale is full of tragedy, loss, sadness and occasionally overtures of friendship.
I'm still trying to figure out the meaning of the Magician in the tale. Was he symbolic? Real? The Devil? You tell me. Maybe the figures in the story are avatars of the major arcana of the tarot. In a way they did seem to reflect the meaning of those cards.
It was well written but a bit odd for me personally.
March 5, 2014
This is a tale of Daniel who is bullied by an older brother, ignored by the drunkard father and cheating mother and basically just feels the odd man out. When out of the blue his parents surprise him with tickets to the circus for his 16th birthday a life changing decision is made. Daniel decides to run away from home and travel with the circus, taken under wing by the mysterious Ringmaster his misadventures begin.
The circus is full of surprises there are the freaks, the Geek, the clowns and all the others that make up a circus; each with their own unique talent. The lion tamer who has a way with the animals, the magician who can perform the inexplicable, and Micky the retarded man who is the uncanny talent scout for this troupe of misfits, as I said all unique. And oh, there is the bearded lady Alicia that Daniel finds himself strangely attracted to. But, it’s not all fun and games; so much is brewing below the surface. Someone is set on destroying the circus, whilst others are set on doing Daniel in.
The book is broken down into 9 cantos rather than chapters. With each canto we find ourselves delving deeper into the dark side of the circus life. As we take this journey with Daniel we begin to see him grow and glimpse the man he will become through trial and tribulation. This is a hauntingly told story, one to ponder long after you finish.
The circus is full of surprises there are the freaks, the Geek, the clowns and all the others that make up a circus; each with their own unique talent. The lion tamer who has a way with the animals, the magician who can perform the inexplicable, and Micky the retarded man who is the uncanny talent scout for this troupe of misfits, as I said all unique. And oh, there is the bearded lady Alicia that Daniel finds himself strangely attracted to. But, it’s not all fun and games; so much is brewing below the surface. Someone is set on destroying the circus, whilst others are set on doing Daniel in.
The book is broken down into 9 cantos rather than chapters. With each canto we find ourselves delving deeper into the dark side of the circus life. As we take this journey with Daniel we begin to see him grow and glimpse the man he will become through trial and tribulation. This is a hauntingly told story, one to ponder long after you finish.
January 11, 2015
I chose to read this particular book based on the fact that it was a retelling of Dante's Inferno and from what I remember of reading it back in high school, I thought it would be a rather interesting read. Maybe if I had just read Inferno, I might have been able to put more of the story together and been more pleased or even interested in the story. I caught the references to many of the sub characters back stories and felt pleased when I remembered a certain portion of the original, but that was part of the problem. This story didn't stand truly on it's own and it was weighed down by its inspiration in such a way that kept the book from ever really taking off on its own merit.
I enjoy a challenging read and I revel in a story that can keep me guessing, but that's all this was; A coming of age story set in Purgatory where every person is a new retelling of Dante in modern English. There were portions that I thought were inspired, but really, only the first chapter, or Cantos if you will, really caught my attention.
If you know Dante's work well or have read it recently, this book may have much more to offer you than a casual reader will find, but lets be honest, if you are taking the time to read Dante, then you probably aren't in the same literary group of people who are going to be looking for the fat or bearded lady or the tattooed man's version.
I enjoy a challenging read and I revel in a story that can keep me guessing, but that's all this was; A coming of age story set in Purgatory where every person is a new retelling of Dante in modern English. There were portions that I thought were inspired, but really, only the first chapter, or Cantos if you will, really caught my attention.
If you know Dante's work well or have read it recently, this book may have much more to offer you than a casual reader will find, but lets be honest, if you are taking the time to read Dante, then you probably aren't in the same literary group of people who are going to be looking for the fat or bearded lady or the tattooed man's version.
November 2, 2021
The Ninth Circle is a really weird book and that's a good thing. From the description, I expected it to have more of a supernatural slant. There are moments where you feel that the supernatural aspect is starting to take hold and then it becomes more based in reality again.
The weirdness of it comes from the circus of freaks and their own back stories, but also how the main character interacts with them and the results that happen because of it.
There are some slow moments, but there are very few books that don't have those moments. It either comes from characterization or the writer feels he needs to inject his own personal views or beliefs within the book, but, happily, Mr. Deneen does not devolve into that arena.
The book is also well edited. I can't tell you how many books I've read where I'm cruising along and then comes across a 'the' or 'it' where it doesn't belong. Totally ruins the flow. Never came across it within this book and, for that, I am grateful.
Overall, it was an entertaining story and would recommend it for readers who enjoy strange fiction.
The weirdness of it comes from the circus of freaks and their own back stories, but also how the main character interacts with them and the results that happen because of it.
There are some slow moments, but there are very few books that don't have those moments. It either comes from characterization or the writer feels he needs to inject his own personal views or beliefs within the book, but, happily, Mr. Deneen does not devolve into that arena.
The book is also well edited. I can't tell you how many books I've read where I'm cruising along and then comes across a 'the' or 'it' where it doesn't belong. Totally ruins the flow. Never came across it within this book and, for that, I am grateful.
Overall, it was an entertaining story and would recommend it for readers who enjoy strange fiction.
December 5, 2015
Gritty, compelling, and totally engrossing, this dark tale of a 16-year-old who runs off to the circus digs down into an offbeat and dangerous cast of characters in a fabled coming-of-age story. Not your typical fare for young adult novels, which is one of the reasons that I liked it. Daniel leaves behind a dysfunctional family life, and runs to a situation that is arguably no better than the one he left behind. With the exception of the Ringmaster who treats Daniel with kindness and provides him with protection from the others, Daniel is drawn deeper and deeper into the bizarre and macabre world of the circus and its misfit characters. Although we fear for Daniel, we can only hope his journey leaves him stronger. I had trouble putting this book down, and kept sneaking in chapters between doing other things during my vacation. Though I don't read much horror anymore, it reminded me how much I used to enjoy it, and how the best horror skates on the knife's edge of normal.
June 8, 2016
I would have given this book three stars but the ending brought the whole thing down. After a promising beginning and middle, the conclusion felt rushed and thrown together. Nothing about the true nature of the circus was explained--maybe that's what the author intended, but it's not very satisfying. To be fair, I haven't read Dante in years so I may have forgotten the more salient points and may have missed the author's overall meaning, but I was very let down by the way everything ended.
This book is an easy read, though, if you're looking for something to kill a few hours, it's reasonably entertaining; just don't get too invested or expect too big a payoff.
This book is an easy read, though, if you're looking for something to kill a few hours, it's reasonably entertaining; just don't get too invested or expect too big a payoff.
July 30, 2015
This book left me torn.
Each chapter was interesting enough to keep me reading onto the next... But there didn't seem to be much of a storyline or direction for the book.
Something happened in one chapter that you never heard about ever again.
And the ending seemed like such a random event.
Why did the "bad guy" do what he did?? Why did most of the circus hate the lead character? Why did the swordsman go crazy and want someone to kill him??
The ideas were good, but nothing was ever explained or acknowledged...
Each chapter was interesting enough to keep me reading onto the next... But there didn't seem to be much of a storyline or direction for the book.
Something happened in one chapter that you never heard about ever again.
And the ending seemed like such a random event.
Why did the "bad guy" do what he did?? Why did most of the circus hate the lead character? Why did the swordsman go crazy and want someone to kill him??
The ideas were good, but nothing was ever explained or acknowledged...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2015
I really enjoy coming-of-age stories, especially when sewn with a dark thread. And this book has exactly that. I'd love to read a sequel in which we see the protag ten years later as there are a few unanswered questions I had as a reader. That's really my only gripe. Otherwise the story is well-written and paced with a bunch of interesting characters who seem to overlap in ways you'd never expect. Good story!
May 3, 2014
Good debut novel by an author who has done mostly comic book and graphic novel stuff up to this point (all of which are very good).
I didn't love this novel, but I enjoyed it. There were definitely some times where I was really into it and others not as much, but that's most books really.
Hoping this author keeps up the good work. I'd be interested in seeing what he puts out there next
I didn't love this novel, but I enjoyed it. There were definitely some times where I was really into it and others not as much, but that's most books really.
Hoping this author keeps up the good work. I'd be interested in seeing what he puts out there next
December 14, 2014
Bought this book awhile ago as an Amazon daily deal fro $0.99. The premise seemed interesting enough. Finally read it. It was awesome. Not a super happy "I ran away with the circus" kind of book...more of a darker tale. Very well written, the characters are outstanding, and the end left you a little bit hanging. A sequel, perhaps?? I would like that. :)
January 7, 2015
Didn't read Dante's inferno (not that I remember, anyway), so the comparisons of this book to that were not a factor. Very strange book. Several times I almost put it down and didn't finish, but something kept me going to the end...guess a morbid fascination to find out what would happen. Certainly not one of my favorites, but I always like to read some "different" things.
December 15, 2015
Obvious that this was a first novel for the author - often felt like he was trying too hard with his descriptors. Concept was intriguing, but parts of the book felt disjointed and parts of the storyline went unexplained or were abandoned. Also found several typos, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. Wouldn't recommend.
August 6, 2016
Solid read. Not for the faint of heart... gets a little dark and gory towards the end.
Full review to come.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to come.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2014
not worth it
December 1, 2014
Good easy, fast read!
December 17, 2014
A bit dull for my liking sadly. Would not recommend
December 28, 2014
Puzzling
Ended so abruptly, with unfinished plot lines hanging,, as if the author's deadlines were suddenly moved to the next day.
Ended so abruptly, with unfinished plot lines hanging,, as if the author's deadlines were suddenly moved to the next day.
July 13, 2015
People familiar with Dante's Inferno will get much more out of this book than those who are not. It is an oddly dark read otherwise.
January 21, 2016
This book kept my attention the entire book, however not much happens. Very enjoyable, but when the book ended I was disappointed more didn't happen. I wanted 'something' to happen.
September 15, 2019
My review here: https://beingfictional.wordpress.com/...
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September 3, 2016Review coming soon...
September 20, 2018
I highly suggest reading the Wikipedia page about Dante’s inferno while you follow along
It helps the book make way more sense
It helps the book make way more sense
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