King Clown

by Mark Lages

Adam Stern is a sixty-four-year-old husband, father, and architect whose dad passes away and leaves Adam nothing but a shoe box containing four strange and seemingly worthless items. There is a brass button, a pocketknife, and a bird's feather. There is also a single page torn from a poetry book, and Adam reads the poem over and over. It gradually comes to life, and it shines a healing light of the absurd on Adam's world, transforming his entire outlook on life.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Contemporary

294 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2019

About the author

Quickly...I was born and raised in California, but now live in South Carolina with my wife and our animals. I am neither a liberal nor a conservative. In fact, I despise politics. I think of myself as an artist, and not as a journalist. I've been influenced by Milton Friedman, Frank Lloyd Wright, Hunter S Thompson, Douglas Adams, Salvador Dali, MC Escher, JS Bach, Keith Jarrett, Vincent Price, Tom Waits, and many others. I like to smoke cigars and drink lots of coffee. And I do love to write. Lock me in a room with a box of cigars, a coffee maker, and a computer, and I will do just fine. Click here to leap to my website for more info about me and my books.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wouldn't be a circus without the clowns. And this is, after all, a circus.

Adam Stern, former architect, now retired, has been forcibly detained in the hospital due to a nasty case of pneumonia. Luckily for him, he's got plenty of reminiscences, fantasies, speculations, and dreams to keep him company. And, from the vantage point of his hospital bed, he shares ALL OF IT with the reader.

Well, let's start with the good news . . .

What I liked:

I honestly didn't like Stern, but that's okay; I don't have to like characters - they just have to be interesting, and Stern was that in spades. I truly enjoyed his interactions with family members: his wife, son and daughter, and his sister. The family stuff is where the author really shines, and I wish there has been much more of this. I particularly loved the bit where Stern calls his wife and kids, and asks them about their memories of a trip to the Grand Canyon. Each family member recalls a small, minor incident that obviously meant a great deal to them personally . . . no one even mentions the majesty of the canyon. This was just so real, so true to life - it was lovely.

What I didn't like:

Stern had a comment about the physical appearance of EVERY female nurse or technician who entered his room, and his conjectured scenarios to go along with their looks - this one eats KFC and watches TV with her loser husband, were annoying. I get that Stern thinks he's a wee bit superior, but it was grating, nonetheless. Also grating were the frequent dreams. If Stern's dreams were meaningful, or revealing, I could understand featuring so many of them. But, I saw them as nothing more than the author's attempts to be funny. In the end, the dreams did me in.

Judging from the number of five-star reviews, Lages either has a lot of friends, or everyone else saw something in this book that I didn't. You'll have to decide for yourself, I suppose.

Maybe I'm more of an animal act than a clown.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the most fun I've ever had from a hospital bed.

Not me in a hospital bed, mind you, but the character in the book. He has a lot of time for self-reflection. He runs with a weird little poem his dead father had left him that refers to a King Clown that subtly but inexorably changes how he sees his life.

This isn't a story of grief. It's about perception. And for what it's worth, I'm sure a lot of people would get a lot of interesting insights out of it.

Send in the clowns!

[Fabian · Rating 4 out of 5]

These organized and coherent ramblings by a Boomer narrator is real AND surreal* both. It is about second chances; a mightily self-indulgent and blatantly critical views of moments in pop culture, of others' ideas and how they worked out, or didnt. The lesson of all Boomers (see, too: Lages' Arcadia) is money does not equal art. Or love. Or affection. The realism that's on display is reminiscent of Ian McEwan's Saturday, wherein national themes (Trump, war, politics, movies and TV, etc) bring out contemporary problems (because of privilege becoming momentarily curtailed), more exclusively: the root of the problem in Ethics of a Racist Culture. For good reason all WHITE characters have a pedigree with which the writer arms his story: everyone's got fabulous, wide-ranging, important jobs! America is still run by Caucasians & people who have been given precious second opportunities (different jobs, different city life experiences, rehab...)... and are still left discontented.

*Like a Scrooge on Christmas Eve, the protagonist is bed ridden and in lucid dreams and clinical reality describes the characters of his reality in the order they visit him.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story . . . About Clowns

If you asked me what this book was about, I'd have to say clowns, but it was so much more. I've read several books by this author and have truly enjoyed how he tells a story by telling lots of smaller stories. So fun to try and follow his train of thought. Always interesting and keeps you reading! I see clowns all the time now, but I'd have to say they don't scare me anymore.

[Velvet · Rating 4 out of 5]

King Clown is the story of Adam Stern, a middle-aged man dealing with pneumonia and his father's death. A recovering alcoholic, Adam, while hospitalized, has vivid dreams in which past and present collide in some interesting and amusing ways.

When our protagonist's father dies, he leaves Adam a box with a handful of strange, and unrelated items, including a poem that references a "King Clown." With no idea who or what this king clown is or its relation to him, Adam spends his time in the hospital attempting to figure out why this poem was left for him.

This is my second Mark Lages book and his writing style is consistent throughout. He writes conversationally and the book is riddled with personal stories designed to further character development, which he does well.

If you're looking for a thrill ride, this isn't your book. But if you want a slow burn with interesting, fun and sometimes heart wrenching background stories, King Clown might be for you. I find myself reflecting on his books and realizing I enjoyed them, but sometimes become restless while reading. I think I'd rather sit down and chat with Lages face-to-face to hear his many wonderful stories.

Many thanks to the author for the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tami Bussing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Lages yet again brings characters and events to life we all can relate to. He weaves stories, history, poetry and philosophy with incredible insight. From rare wit and wisdom, you're led from a man's life event through his introspections and finally to his epiphany. It's a treasure trove of memorabilia and relevant to today's social and political environment.

[Lennie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazingly entertaining for a story about an elderly man in a hospital bed. :) And I very much loved it. it was such a nice easy read to curl up with in bed and read a chapter or two before bed. (Which I had to since I've become such a slow reader. I miss being a teen and being about to read all weekend.)

I really like our main character, Adam, and watching his interactions with his family members and the hospital staff. His dreams were really great too. "King Clown" is a perfect mix of humor and thoughtfulness, and I loved it. The part where he calls his family members to ask about their vacation to the Grand Canyon was probably my favorite. I also liked where he'd watch tv or daydream about the nurses, imagining what their lives were like. Also a big plus for having Adam want to be an author. :)

Highly Recommended for fans of contemporary fiction and fans of Mark Lages's other works. (I really like "Scowl" :)

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Lages has become one of my all time favorite authors. Every time I read one of his books I am left pondering my own life and beliefs. King Clown had me closing the book with a smile saying to myself, "Yeah I get it that is how I feel about my life right now".

This Book is about recently retired 64 year old architect Adam Stern. His father has passed away leaving him a box with some strange items. There is a brass button, a pocketknife, a bird's feather, and a torn page from a book of poetry. The poem is titled King Clown and it's about all the different types of clowns that exist. There is the clown that juggles, the clown that squirts water at the audience, the clown that slips on the big banana peel and then there is the King Clown who sees all the clowns maybe is all the clowns.

Adam keeps reading the poem hoping he can figure out his father's reason for leaving this bit of poetry to him. His father wasn't much of a reader let alone a fan of poetry so it is all very perplexing to Adam.

The majority of the book takes place over four days that Adam is in the hospital recuperating from pneumonia. During some hours with high fevers he has some vivid dreams which at times gives insight into what makes Adam tick and maybe the message about life his father is trying to give him.

As with many of the author's novels his protagonist is prone to telling his readers different stories about various moments that have helped make him the man he is today for better or worse. Adam is a very opinionated person and I didn't always agree with his thought process or his conclusions from those thoughts. However, I appreciated where his views were coming from and I can't say I was bored at any point having to evaluate my own opinions on a variety of topics from war to raising kids to living with an alcoholic. There were many more topics but these have stayed with me after finishing this unique book.

As always, I highly recommend this latest book by Mark Lages. It may seem he goes off topic trying to find out more about the meaning of this legacy poem but rest assure all the stories, all the jokes, and all the self reflection leads to what I believe is a solid life lesson for everyone.

I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Lages has one of the biggest imaginations I have ever come across before. I have read nearly every book he ever wrote and each one is original and different. King Clown is a family story told by the father Adam Stern. When his father dies, Adam receives as part of his father's legacy....a brass button, a pocket knife, a bird's feather and a poem titled "The Parade". The poem's theme is about clowns and that is where Adam Stern's story begins. One of the talents of this author is his ability to make the reader laugh, cry and feel as if the character is actually a friend whom you care about. Adams recollections of his life are a delight to read..

[Diane Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Stern is a 64 year- old male who spends time in a hospital suffering from pneumonia. While there, through a series of dreams, questions and stream of consciousness, he ponders the meaning of life. His father left him a strange poem about clowns. As he contemplates religion, politics, marriage, children, careers, alcoholism.....all are compared to clowns. But who is King Clown? Read Mark’s well written and thought provoking book to find out.

[J. Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel by Mr Lages that I've read, and while I liked the first one, I liked this one even more. This is a well written - and tightly written [note to author: well done, sir] - novel. I will be reading more of Lages' books for sure. Recommended.

[gwendalyn _books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Lages, book the, Kin Clown an I immensely enjoyable read!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how Mr. Lages manages to always come up with something new and different for his readers, but with King Clown, he does it again. I truly enjoyed this book. Thought provoking, clever, and honk, honk, funny. An easy five star rating for me.

[Dana Gherasoiu · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most infuriating read ever. I found myself thrown into a whirlpool of short stories all assuming the mantle of a judgemental mid age recovering alcoholic, having the annoying effect in the end of making me lose interest in the main story line. One gives up understanding Adam Stern or having empathy for such a person who assumes that his cynical life views are shared by everyone. You are being told what your life view should be like allowing you no chance to weave your own take or perspectives into it. There are no questions he asks of you to help him answer other than what his father's intentions were by leaving him a box full of discarded items. There are no answers he is allowing you to help write but a handful of assumed statements peppered with sarcasm and brash language. You can't possibly be anything else but another clown in a world full of clowns where he is king. Yikes! Keep me out of this one. I would rather be an outcast.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Clown is a novel by Mark Lages. It is the story of a man named Adam Stern, who is 64 years old, is a husband, and father of two adult children: a son and a daughter. Adam and his wife, Deanne, who were high school sweethearts who got married when they were 20 years old, while attending college, have recently moved to South Carolina from Southern California, after they have both retired from their careers as architects. Adam has been a smoker since he was 12 years old, and he is an alcoholic.

Adam's father passed away 3 years before the start of this story, and left Adam a shoebox that contained: an envelope with his name written on it, which has a poem called "The Parade" inside of it, that had been ripped out of a poetry book; a seagull feather; a tarnished brass button from a military coat; and a pocketknife from the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle. Although these items seem worthless, Adam feels that there must be some reason that his father would pick these specific items to leave to him. His father had worked as a carpenter, and made enough money for the family to get by. When he died in a convalescent home, he had no savings and owned nothing of monetary value. In fact, he was barely getting by on his Social Security checks because he had no other money.

In this book, Adam tells us the story of his life. He begins the book by telling us about a time when he took his children to the circus when they were young. His wife didn't go with them because she hates clowns. Adam spends a lot of time talking about the circus clowns, and then becomes very focused on the "clowns" that he knows and has met throughout his life. Adam spends the rest of the book telling us about the "clowns" in our world, (one example being politicians), and explaining to us why he believes that these people are clowns.

Adam tells us many stories of the stupid things he did while he was drinking, and describes the many problems that his alcoholism has caused him and his family such as the strain that it put on his marriage to Deanne, the blackouts he has had, the DUI arrest, and the large amount of money that he had spent to go to Rehab. Adam has not had a drop of alcohol since he was in his early 50's.

Shortly after the book begins Adam describes getting sick with a high fever and a terrible cough, and that his wife insists that he see a doctor right away, and then takes him to the doctor's office, after which Adam is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. At the hospital, Adam is administered IV antibiotics and given breathing treatments every four hours. Adam is very ill and frequently falls asleep during the day, and then has some pretty crazy dreams. He describes his entire hospital stay, which includes his experiences with the hospital staff including the techs, nurses, and his doctor.

King Clown is a very thought provoking and insightful book. This is the second novel that I have read that has been written by Mark Lages, and I really enjoy his writing. This is a very good book that I am glad that I had the chance to read, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story!

[Pretty Peony Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Clown by Mark Lages is a literary fiction written in the form of a memoir. It is about a man named Adam Stern who has pneumonia and who ends up staying in the hospital for a few days. His time in the hospital is when we get to learn almost everything about who he is, from his childhood, to how he met his wife, to learning about his children, his friends, and so forth.

Reading this book was like listening to a stranger tell you his life, a stranger with humor and an unusual outlook on life. A lot of things/topics/situations Adam touched on were thought provoking. At times, I found myself putting the book down to ponder.

What I enjoyed about this book:

1. Mostly the humor. Adam seems really laid back. His experience in the hospital was spot on (except, I’ve always liked hospital food). He has a way with his imagination. The ins and outs of sleeping and waking, and not knowing if he was dreaming or awake was interesting. His dreams really cracked me up.
2. Loved how Adam talked about his children and siblings, especially his sister. She reminded me of someone in my family.
3. The joke near the end had me in tears…about the trash truck. I tried to tell my husband about it but started laughing so hard, it took forever.

What I didn’t enjoy so much:

1. Parts dragged on and on, mostly at the beginning. I think that’s why it took me longer than normal to finish.
2. There was a moment in there where I felt the author was coming out, trying to throw his spiritual beliefs at me. I get it. Adam isn’t young. He’s probably scared about the afterlife or the lack of an afterlife, but it felt less of the character feeling his fears and more of the author proving that believers are odd people. I think that could have been worked out a little differently.
3. The title. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to make fun of Adam or someone else. References were made to both, so I guess I’m still a little unsure there.

Overall, I enjoyed it. The style of this book reminded me of Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, and I loved that book. This is a great read if you’d like something calm and humorous with very low rising actions (is that even possible?), no climax (unless leaving the hospital was the climax), and no resolution…yeah, pretty much the style of Slaughterhouse Five.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam David Stern’s (64, husband/father, son, alcoholic, architect) dad had passed away.
He left Adam a shoebox that contained: a brass button, a pocketknife, a bird's feather, & a single torn page that had a poem titled The Parade on it.
As a kid, out Stern family loved to frequent the circus & admire the clown.
1, in particular, stood out in the poem, who is the King Clown?

Later on, in life, Deanne Stern (64, wife/mother, architect) price & associates architect) & Adam moved from Orange County, CA. to Cato Aiken, SC.
It wasn’t long & Julia Stern & Douglas Stern were brought into the world.
She became an architect.

Laguna Beach, CA. Andrew her BF was CEO of his own construction co.
Douglas had become quite the artist/painter, drawer.
Adam had been released from the hospital because of his prior pneumonia.
Rebecca was his GF. She was employed at a clothing store.

Swill Adam ever figure out why his dad left him the shoe box?

Warning: This book contains adult content, & minimal expletive language, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written family fictional ordeal book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great family ordeal movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Author House; author; hardcover book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is definitely a circus, and as author Mark Lages says: "It wouldn't be a circus without the clowns.". His book "King Clown" is the story of Adam Stern, an architect in his mid-sixties who is recovering from pneumonia and reflecting upon the strange legacy left to him by his late father: four odd items in a shoe box. The contents would appear to be a random collection--an old brass button from a military uniform, a feather from a seagull, a pocketknife from the 1962 World's Fair, and a copy of a quirky poem called "The Parade". The poem tells of clowns. all kinds of clowns, preceded by a marching band and rolling through a town in a hectic comic tumble, all leading up to the appearance of "King Clown. Adam finds the poem interesting, but puzzling--what message was his father trying to send? By the time you have reached the age of sixty, you have met many clowns, and you yourself have been a clown too many times (I should know). As Adam reflects upon his life and tries to discern the meaning of the shoe box and its contents, enlightenment begins to trickle through. Author Mark Lages has a unique storytelling presence, and his writing is a breath of fresh air to puff you out of your comfort reading zone. As I sit here writing this review in my oversized suspender pants and great big floppy shoes, I realize that Mark Lages has perfectly captured the essence of my favorite self-quote: "If you laugh, you'll live." Yep--that's what it's really all about.

Book Copy Gratis Author

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting images of our conversations in ourselves and with others. Book is written in first person narrative about a pre-retirement aged architect, Adam Stern after his father's death and the articles left in shoeboxes as their inheritance. His brother Jeffery, and sister Adele, refuse to believe it is relevant to their lives and discard the contents of random objects. Adam 's box contains a metal military type button, a feather, and a poem torn from a book his father saved. King Clown, what is it's meaning and what does it really mean. Are we afraid of clowns because they parody most ranges of expression in an exaggerated fashion that brings shivers of truth to us unconsciously. Pneumonia and hospital confines bring time to question the true meaning of "clown" in the roles we play ourselves. Are we being true to ourselves, taking east outs, mumbling meaningless phrases as we run along our lives. Adam and his wife Deanne are partners but are they also juggernauts in their lives as married couple.Wonderful questions asked, answers depend upon reader's personal views, and society norms are really what we expect? Enjoyed his constant searching and discovery of King Clown we will all meet in the end.

[Michelle Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author Mark Lages is a great author. When I read his books, I begin comparing the characters to my own life situation. This review is for “King Clown” the main character is Adam Stern. He begins this book with his own birth and how he has gotten to where he is today. At times I found myself not liking Adam, but he was honest about his demons. Adam’s father has passed away leaving him a box with four items a brass button, a pocketknife, a bird's feather and a poem titled King Clown. The poem is about all the different types of clowns that exist. There is the clown that juggles, the clown that squirts water at the audience, the clown that slips on the big banana peel and then there is the King Clown. The poem has stumped Adam to its meaning. Why did his father choose this poem to leave him after his death? As Adam reflects upon his life and he ends up in the hospital with pneumonia. During his high fevers he begins to reflect on his life choices. This book will have you thinking over your own life. You will laugh and cry at times. I recommend this book and this author never disappoints.

[wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Lages has done it again. He has managed to capture the characteristics of each and every one of us in the pages of his book.
King Clown is about people and these people are referred to as “clowns “. We are clowns. You are one as am I. So if you were to read the poem that was left to Adam with this understanding, it now makes a whole lot of sense. Whereas if you read it not knowing this little tidbit, it is a tad confusing.
This story told by Adam. He ends up in the hospital and begins to reflect on his life. You will laugh and cry. You will be angry as well as frustrated at the same things that he is. Like how men are bozos and need their egos stroked. They eat sardines and pigs feet and wonder why you won’t kiss them?
He wonders why if meditation was so great for for the disease of alcoholism, why wouldn’t it be equally effective for pneumonia?
But my favorite line in the book, and I have many bookmarked, is “ It is easier getting a job as a parent than it is to get a job working the cash register at a convenience store “.

[Andrew Langert · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can always count on Mark Lages for an interesting read. The topics he covers are very real. His insights and opinions, though I don’t always agree with them, are well thought out and articulated.
This is is a story about Adam Stern, a man in his sixties, a man who seems a lot like a real person named Mark Lages. Adam ends up in the hospital for four days with pneumonia, so the much of the “action” that takes place in real time is at the hospital. But much of this book involves Adam reflecting on the past, on people and events that shaped his life and his outlook on life.
The author is a great storyteller and always uses humor effectively. But this book is darker and more cynical is spots that other works by the author. Finding happiness in life is difficult and you often getting the feeling that the author is saying that seeking happiness is a futile effort.
There is a message in here that the reader is supposed to take away. I think it is to learn to accept who we are and to learn to laugh, not to be obsessed with material things or status.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

“King Clown” is a very relatable story for those of us in our prime years. But it is also a book that anyone can relate to and learn from. There are funny vignettes that will make you laugh and some that will bring you to tears. It is also a book of remembrances. I remember watching some of the TV shows the main character cites as well as some personally experiences being in hospital. This is a story of a man – the good, the bad, and the ugly. But most of all it is about clowns. Until I read this story I didn’t know how many flavors clowns came in. Not only can you find them in the circus but they are all around us. You probably know a few - the “know-it- all’s”, the ones who can explain everything, objectors, cynics, ne’er-do-wells and of course the followers of these clowns. Sound familiar? Check your local news for some good examples. This might be confusing so I strongly suggest you read “King Clown.” It might change your perspective on a few important things. And that is a good thing! This is also a book to savor, enjoy and share with those clowns you love.

[Lisa DeWaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Clown by Mark Lages is the story of 64 year old Adam Stern who has been hospitalized for pneumonia. Prior to his hospitalization, his father had passed away and left him a small box of "treasures" which includes a poem that was torn from a book. These things are Adam's mind while he is in the hospital and he begins to have dreams and memories of his different experiences with different clowns he has met throughout his life. It starts with him bringing his boys to the circus and describing the circus clowns and goes in other directions describing even some political clowns. It is a very thoughtful story with a lot of humor and warm hearted memories from Adam's life as he slowly begins to unravel the secrets of the box. It's a fun, well-written story that was an easy read for me and kept my attention. I love all of the books I've been luck enough to read by this author and this one is no exception. I would recommend it.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to give King Clown four stars instead of five because I didn't enjoy the beginning of it all that much, and it didn't make as much sense to me as Lages's other books have.
I started it a maybe mid-February and read around a quarter of it, but I just wasn't that interested in it. I think it was less relatable than Lages's other stories were, and didn't have as many interesting tidbits in it. Also, the way that it jumped between different times and thoughts in the character's life was much harder to follow than it has been in previous books. I think I got the gist of it, but I felt that it was a bit too repetitive with the things like "Has the doctor been in yet? Have you eaten? I'll be back in ten minutes. I don't know if I've slept or not", etc. type stuff. The mundane things, I suppose. A bit of the mundane is nice to have in books, particularly ones with complex plots or ideas, because it makes them more relatable, but even the mundane varies a bit.
So those were my initial thoughts on the book. I stopped reading it for a few of weeks where I got busy again, but once I started it up again, all of the COVID-19 freaking-out had really gotten underway in my area. With this context in mind, I did find the rest of the book more enjoyable because it was more relevant to what I see going on in the world right now, but it's still far from my favorite book from Lages, and I still stand by my original thoughts on it.
Coming out of the book, though, my main question / complaint is how the blurb from the back of the book relates to the book itself? I completely understand the relevance of the poem to the story, but what about the other three items that were in the box? I would've liked to see more about them, but I do also think it's worth noting that this thought only crossed my mind when the book itself mentioned the summary blurb.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny and original - following this author is like having and eccentric friend who comes into your living room and entertains you. I enjoyed going on the journey of discovery, introspection, and healing with this character. I loved the family relationships and how each person grabs a memory and presents it in their own way. The idea of the poem and five objects in a shoebox defining the story and taking the reader on a quest is genius. You don't know where you are going but you are so happy to be invited on the ride. This author somehow makes you laugh and invokes deep thought at the same time. If you read 5 times you will have five different reactions the story - a good read.

[Austin Allred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book free for an honest review.

Adam Stern’s dad dies and leaves him a shoebox with a pocketknife, a feather, a button, and a page from a poem book.
The poem is about King Clown.
Adam tries and figures out what message his dad tried to leave.
Adam gets pneumonia, for a majority of the book he is in the hospital talking about his life and trying to figure out what his dad’s message is. The author does a great job writing when he is in his fever and delirious. Makes you feel delirious right with Adam. Adam finally starts realizing what his dad meant by leaving him these items.
Mark Lages is an awesome writer. His books are really quick reads, and very entertaining.
If you want an entertaining book, this is the one to pick up.

[Karen Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book after getting into reading it, truly I did. I have to say it did take me a little while to finish it completely. It is interesting, funny and witty. An insight into our lives and others around us is to be seen. Give it a chance and maybe you will like it, it is not for everyone. I am a thinking kind of person and it suited me... It is not that it does not deserve five stars, but it was just not the fast pace book, can't wait to turn the page, but at the same time not sure if you want to turn the page... So just read it and give it an honest go. I appreciate the authors writing and his bravery to write a book that is a little out of the norm. Look forward to reading more and see where it all leads.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adam Stern, a 64 year old husband and father, has been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. During his convalescence he has many weird dreams that seem real to him. Having had a high fever for several days, it seems he imagines many of his dreams to be real.
Adam also is into clowns and what they have to do with life.
As a former alcoholic, Adam has tried very hard to manage his life. Still smokes a lot and enjoys his coffee.
When his father died he was left a shoe box with a feather, brass button, pocket knife and a bird's feather along with a poem about clowns. So who is the King Clown?

Received this book from the author, Mark Lages. It was a favorable read, but a lot of ramblings about his life.

[Lisa Cobb Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Pages consistently writes unique stories, and his novel, King Clown, is no exception. As the protagonist, Adam Stern, lies in a hospital bed, he contemplates life using his imagination and memories. Phone calls from family members and television shows also contribute to his musings, as does the contents of a shoebox he inherited from his father. A poem in that shoebox inspires the narrator to consider how the world resembles a circus. Readers feel as though they are sitting besides Adam's hospital bed listening to Adam's thoughts and philosophy, and, perhaps, gaining some insight into their own time on planet Earth.