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A True History of the Hula Hoop
When burlesque performer Catherine Barnier stumbls upon evidence that Brisbane schoolkids were hula hooping in the early 1950s, she smells a conspiracy ... Catherine's quest to unlock the truth takes her from Melbourne to Minneapolis, from Moscow to Milan and back to Melbourne again. Along the way she plays a dying swan in the rain, has her props suspiciously sabotaged and learns that for centuries the stage was a man's domain ...
- GenresNonfiction
298 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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June 18, 2020Not going to read this, but I will go to the movie.
I question that it was published by picador. Or by Picador. I think this was a deal that fell through, leaving the author to self-publish.
I question that it was published by picador. Or by Picador. I think this was a deal that fell through, leaving the author to self-publish.
August 24, 2010
Liked this and want to give it an extra half star...damn you goodreads!
I had a few Huh? moments with the structure - but there were other aspects that seemed really clever - the appearance of certain details in the renaissance story that then were told to the protagonist in the main, current time story, referring back metatextually to the way the author had used such facts with aplomb.
The research into the hula hoop was my favorite bit of it - and the conclusion was surprising. I enjoyed the clipped reportage style employed in that voice, and the narrative voice of central character Catherine. It's fairly obviously based on life experience, but with the extra possibliities of the fictional construct well exploited.
I was less sure though, of the success of (the dialogue in particular) the renaissance sections of the book - character was not differentiated enough, particularly for the males, and there was obvious period window-dressing that seemed a bit clunky. I was not really clear on what this thread of the book gave to the other sections, other than relief from the grind of circus life and a bit of color. I wanted more from it.
Still, a good rainy-day read, and a great insight into the life and supposedly enviable freedoms of being a travelling performer - it didn't make me want to run away and join the circus that's for sure.
Looking forward to seeing what this author does next...
I had a few Huh? moments with the structure - but there were other aspects that seemed really clever - the appearance of certain details in the renaissance story that then were told to the protagonist in the main, current time story, referring back metatextually to the way the author had used such facts with aplomb.
The research into the hula hoop was my favorite bit of it - and the conclusion was surprising. I enjoyed the clipped reportage style employed in that voice, and the narrative voice of central character Catherine. It's fairly obviously based on life experience, but with the extra possibliities of the fictional construct well exploited.
I was less sure though, of the success of (the dialogue in particular) the renaissance sections of the book - character was not differentiated enough, particularly for the males, and there was obvious period window-dressing that seemed a bit clunky. I was not really clear on what this thread of the book gave to the other sections, other than relief from the grind of circus life and a bit of color. I wanted more from it.
Still, a good rainy-day read, and a great insight into the life and supposedly enviable freedoms of being a travelling performer - it didn't make me want to run away and join the circus that's for sure.
Looking forward to seeing what this author does next...
December 24, 2018
A very light and easy read, I tried to make it last longer, didn’t want to finish it quickly especially after such a long wait!🤩⭕️
Maybe not the best intricate plot(some passages confused me), or characters depth (so many clowns that were hard to differentiate and remember), but I am too “hOOpy” to actually care and I would give this lovely hoopish book 5 trillion glittery stars!⭐️✨💫🌟⭐️
Loved the fun facts about the ‘general’ history of the hula hoop and modern-day-Catherine’s personal history (a cute autobiography?) and how somehow it blended with 16th-century-clowns’ story line. Quite clever!⭕️🤡🏰
I didn’t like some stuff, but the book gives some insight about the world of performances and performers, which highly intrigued me.⭕️✨
Using the term ‘hoopist’ rather than ‘hooper’ is something new.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and reflecting on my personal history of the hula hoop!.
— 😄⭕️
Maybe not the best intricate plot(some passages confused me), or characters depth (so many clowns that were hard to differentiate and remember), but I am too “hOOpy” to actually care and I would give this lovely hoopish book 5 trillion glittery stars!⭐️✨💫🌟⭐️
Loved the fun facts about the ‘general’ history of the hula hoop and modern-day-Catherine’s personal history (a cute autobiography?) and how somehow it blended with 16th-century-clowns’ story line. Quite clever!⭕️🤡🏰
I didn’t like some stuff, but the book gives some insight about the world of performances and performers, which highly intrigued me.⭕️✨
Using the term ‘hoopist’ rather than ‘hooper’ is something new.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and reflecting on my personal history of the hula hoop!.
— 😄⭕️
January 20, 2010
When my boyfriend bought this book home for me, I rolled my eyes on the inside thinking that I had I no idea why he would even think this book would suit me - The blurb didn't read at all like something I would like. But I read it because it was such a sweet gesture for him to bring me a present like that.
I really really liked it! What a great surprise to have such a well written and entertaining book fall into my lap. It made me laugh, and kept me wanting more of the characters stories, right through.
Nice One!
I really really liked it! What a great surprise to have such a well written and entertaining book fall into my lap. It made me laugh, and kept me wanting more of the characters stories, right through.
Nice One!
December 17, 2010
Really not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to bookcrossing for this bookray.
Thanks to bookcrossing for this bookray.
March 27, 2014
interesting and inspiring
August 31, 2023
Judith Lanigan has written a thought-provoking book centring on two circus performers, past and present, and the international history of the Hula Hoop.
Catherine is a present day Hula Hoop artist, working her way up from busking to the festival circuit in Australia and Europe. Rosita is a clown in a 16th century Italian troupe of wandering performers. Both women struggle to improve their skills, and make their own act, while avoiding the Lotharios who exist across time.
I'm researching for my online Masterclass in Street Performance, so I returned to this Classic book, by the woman who took he 'Dying Swan' hoop act across the world many times. Interviewing Judith, she said that Picador had made her rewrite this book in the Third Person, as they were unsure about printing narrative non-fiction at the time she published.
So glad that Judith used the First Person in her next book, 'Clownland', as the story is stronger for it. This book lacks the narrative arc of fiction, because it rings with the truth of nonfiction, of real life, which is often chaotic and not fitting in to the 'Hero's Journey' format, which many authors of fiction utilise.
Brave, interesting characters from a brave writer. Thank you, Judith.
I wanted to review a really good book for my 300th Goodreads review.
Catherine is a present day Hula Hoop artist, working her way up from busking to the festival circuit in Australia and Europe. Rosita is a clown in a 16th century Italian troupe of wandering performers. Both women struggle to improve their skills, and make their own act, while avoiding the Lotharios who exist across time.
I'm researching for my online Masterclass in Street Performance, so I returned to this Classic book, by the woman who took he 'Dying Swan' hoop act across the world many times. Interviewing Judith, she said that Picador had made her rewrite this book in the Third Person, as they were unsure about printing narrative non-fiction at the time she published.
So glad that Judith used the First Person in her next book, 'Clownland', as the story is stronger for it. This book lacks the narrative arc of fiction, because it rings with the truth of nonfiction, of real life, which is often chaotic and not fitting in to the 'Hero's Journey' format, which many authors of fiction utilise.
Brave, interesting characters from a brave writer. Thank you, Judith.
I wanted to review a really good book for my 300th Goodreads review.
December 17, 2017
This book was really gripping. I loved it. It was a random find from a book fest a few months back.
I really loved the whole thing with two parallel lives that were essentially the same story. The actual story and plot of the book itself was brilliant. Going through the lives of these two performers and reading about them experiencing their life and just a world so different to my own was both fascinating and entertaining.
The thing between chapters about when the hula hoop was first invented was extremely interesting. Especially how each of the facts were presented; in such a way that with each one it was like you were slowly unfurling the mystery and learning about it at the same time.
The character development and building and just every way in which this book was written was great. It is exactly the type of book I love and it pulled it off spectacularly. It's one of my new favourites.
I really loved the whole thing with two parallel lives that were essentially the same story. The actual story and plot of the book itself was brilliant. Going through the lives of these two performers and reading about them experiencing their life and just a world so different to my own was both fascinating and entertaining.
The thing between chapters about when the hula hoop was first invented was extremely interesting. Especially how each of the facts were presented; in such a way that with each one it was like you were slowly unfurling the mystery and learning about it at the same time.
The character development and building and just every way in which this book was written was great. It is exactly the type of book I love and it pulled it off spectacularly. It's one of my new favourites.
March 9, 2019
I liked the way the author has two parallel stories from two different times in history (past & present) and how these two connected, and the little 'did you know' facts along the way.
April 26, 2022
First Reading Review (2018)
This? This is pretty awful. Pitiful. I thought it would be an interesting book about the hula hoop but no, it’s boring and uninteresting. Bland. It moves too fast, zooming through scenes till it's a blur. The characters are hardly explored, even the main character. There is not enough dialogue, it hardly makes use of it. What can I explain about this book when it’s just so dull and lifeless? I wanted to stop reading at points. Such a drag. Maybe I would have something to say if it wasn’t so tiresome.
Second Reading Review (14.11.21)
My feelings have not changed much, though I do have more thoughts on this now. The modern sections are better to read than the ‘clown’ sections (was going to call it the ‘old section’ but it's about clowns going through Europe), mostly because I can actually keep track of who’s who. I don’t know who any of the clowns are except for the two women because they are women in a group of men. I don’t even think one of them does anything. The clown section is just so pointless really, you could skip them and have the same experience. There are no mentions of hula hooping nor any relevance to what’s going on in the modern section, only barely at the end because Catherine reads about it, I guess. The modern section can be rather pointless too, there’s a vague line about how Catherine has glandular fever but doesn’t know it yet. It’s never brought up again and she doesn’t get sick. There’s really no point to it. The only interesting part in the whole thing is when Catherine is almost held captive by some weird rando who she trusts right away even though he’s super fucking sketchy but that’s gotten rid of really quick. That and the actual informational sections were neat.
Rating: 2/10
This? This is pretty awful. Pitiful. I thought it would be an interesting book about the hula hoop but no, it’s boring and uninteresting. Bland. It moves too fast, zooming through scenes till it's a blur. The characters are hardly explored, even the main character. There is not enough dialogue, it hardly makes use of it. What can I explain about this book when it’s just so dull and lifeless? I wanted to stop reading at points. Such a drag. Maybe I would have something to say if it wasn’t so tiresome.
Second Reading Review (14.11.21)
My feelings have not changed much, though I do have more thoughts on this now. The modern sections are better to read than the ‘clown’ sections (was going to call it the ‘old section’ but it's about clowns going through Europe), mostly because I can actually keep track of who’s who. I don’t know who any of the clowns are except for the two women because they are women in a group of men. I don’t even think one of them does anything. The clown section is just so pointless really, you could skip them and have the same experience. There are no mentions of hula hooping nor any relevance to what’s going on in the modern section, only barely at the end because Catherine reads about it, I guess. The modern section can be rather pointless too, there’s a vague line about how Catherine has glandular fever but doesn’t know it yet. It’s never brought up again and she doesn’t get sick. There’s really no point to it. The only interesting part in the whole thing is when Catherine is almost held captive by some weird rando who she trusts right away even though he’s super fucking sketchy but that’s gotten rid of really quick. That and the actual informational sections were neat.
Rating: 2/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2014
I bought this in a remainder bookshop so maybe didn't expect much from it. By chance it opens in Fremantle where I live but in all other respects the main character Catherine Barnier is unlike me, a globe trotting free spirit spontaneous and intuitive though this is partly channelled into dedicated practise and mastery of the hula hoop. The parallel story is well done and the history of the hula hoop interspersed provides a neat transition from one age to another, very autobiographical but that is a window to a life unlike your own. I enjoyed living there for a while, a mark of good fiction.
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February 26, 2013The plot didn't match the blurb at all. Each of the events described occurred but the blurb led me to believe the book would be an historical mystery hunt, which it was not. It was moderately enjoyable but I really wanted to read the story as outlined in the blurb (which this book could have been with a rewrite).
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews