Freaks: Myths and Images of the Secret Self

by Leslie A. Fiedler

From two-headed men and dwarfs to Siamese twins, the phenomenon of the freak has fascinated people for centuries. In this classic study of the very nature of that fascination, the renowned literary and cultural critic Fiedler offers an in-depth examination of man's views of the freak from classical times to present. 150 photos and line drawings.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Literary Criticism, Sociology, Folklore, Disability Studies

367 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Leslie Aaron Fiedler was an American literary critic, known for his interest in mythography and his championing of genre fiction. His work also involves application of psychological theories to American literature. He was in practical terms one of the early postmodernist critics working across literature in general, from around 1970. His most cited work is Love and Death in the American Novel (1960).

Reviews

[Lelena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dopo quasi un mese di lettura arrivo finalmente alla parola fine. Interminabile e ripetitivo. Mi è venuto a noia molto presto soprattutto per lo stile pedante e poco analitico. Sono presentati senza distinzione alcuna fatti, opinioni, miti, chiacchiere, leggende... si passa in un continuum dai gemelli Chang ed Eng (di cui vi consiglio di leggere l'omonimo romanzo di Darin Strauss Chang and Eng ) a Charles Manson, da Caterina di Russia ai Rolling Stones. Anche no.
Tanti aneddoti sono interessanti ma presentati in maniera talmente affastellata da perdere il senso dell'orientamento di quello che si sta leggendo.
L'effetto post lettura è quello di essere passati nella centifruga di una lavatrice.

[Nostalgiaplatz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non conoscevo Leslie Fiedler. Nel corso della lettura mi sono informata su di lui, apprendendo che era un critico letterario; aveva una laurea in lettere, ma non era uno storico, un sociologo o un antropologo. Trovo che la cosa si percepisca, durante la lettura; era inoltre appassionato di mitografia, altra cosa che si percepisce, visto i numerosi paragoni che compie tra ‘freak’ quali nani, giganti ed ermafroditi, e figure mitologiche.
Gli argomenti interessanti non mancano, né gli aneddoti storici, ma troppo spesso ho avuto l'impressione che tante informazioni fossero ammassate in modo confuso, che troppo spesso sfumasse il confine tra fatti storici accertati e “leggenda metropolitana”, che Fiedler desse voce alla propria personale opinione/interpretazione più che all’analisi oggettiva.
Più di una volta ho perso il filo, o l’attenzione è bruscamente calata, specie nella seconda parte del saggio, dove viene presa in esame la figura del freak in epoca moderna e il suo ruolo nella cultura giovanile ribelle degli anni 60/70: non più inteso solo come “mostro fisico”, ma anche come soggetto che rifiuta le regole della società.
Così il libro passa dai nani tenuti nelle corti rinascimentali per il sollazzo dei nobili, ai ‘side show’ o baracconi che dir si voglia, ai contestatori, ai tossici e a David Bowie, e a fine lettura si risente un po’ dell’effetto minestrone. Mi rendo conto di non aver alcun titolo per muovere critiche, ma credo che potesse esistere un modo più riuscito per per trattare la storia dei freak e il perché dell’attrazione-repulsione che suscitano nei “normali”. Quale non saprei, ma non sono una storica, né una sociologa. Manco Fiedler lo era, se è per questo: sarei curiosa, piuttosto, di conoscerlo come saggista nel suo campo, o come romanziere.

PS: segnalo un errore; viene citata Lucia Zarate, nana ateleiotica ottocentesca, sottolineando che ebbe il recordo di più leggero essere umano adulto, con un peso di 21 kg a diciassette anni.
No: i chili erano solo 2,1, e arrivò a pesarne al massimo poco più di sei. D'altra parte era alta 60 cm!

[Mia]

Fiedler is unapologetic in his discussion of this topic, yet where many have labelled his descriptions insensitive or not PC, I found him honest, and unwilling to hide behind terms that scholars (who similarly not in the position of the people he discusses) insist he use. An in-depth and inquisitive look at the topic, that openly acknowledges the fascination so many people have with the 'Freak' as a subject. Not without its flaws, but an interesting backdrop to more recent discussion by scholars such as Rosemarie Garland-Thomson and David Mitchell.

[Jo Besser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that I was getting into the nitty gritty of side show people, however it was more than that.

The reader was given historical and sociological examples of the different freaks. While explaining that the freaks were still people who wanted to be "normal," as in half a significant other as well as be treated as a person.

The second part I thought was the most interesting. It dove more into the historical and societal aspects of being a "freak." The author also wrote about what it was like to be considered a "freak" at different times. I thought it was interesting that Fiedler even tied in different Marvel heroes.

At times I felt confused about what I was reading. There were quite a few references that I did not understand, as well as a few that I did. Either way I'm glad that I finally took the time to read this book.

[Edward Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid compendium documenting dwarves, hermaphrodites, kinky sex, and outright transgressive types throughout American literature and culture. My main complaint is that Fiedler doesn't really offer a solid trajectory from the 19th century to the 1970s. I mean, the dude was quite capable of observing that dwarves had fallen out of "freakish" favor by the time this book was published and he is also completely accurate about right-wing hack Heinlein unwittingly unleashing a strange "freak-friendly" hodgepodge (I speak, of course, of STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND) that appealed to the likes of Manson. And he is perhaps a little too obsessed with hermaphrodites. Even so, he was a smart critic and this is a very good volume with both obvious and esoteric examples.

[Bren · Rating 2 out of 5]

basically useless. anything worthwhile documented in the accompanying photographs can probably be found alongside a much less condescending and offensive text somewhere else

[Becka · Rating 2 out of 5]

You would think that this guy might have consulted actual freak show performers at some point while writing a book about them. I really disliked the casual arrogance of making so many general statements about minorities without referencing anything. I know this book was published in 1978, but I don't think that excuses the sheer amount of Othering and exploitation that's going on here. If anyone wants to read about the freak show community, go elsewhere - Sideshow USA by Rachel Adams looks promising.

[Belzebù · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un saggio che inevitabilmente inizia ad avere qualche anno sulle spalle (i termini scelti da Fiedler oggi hanno un peso diverso e anche alcuni argomenti, anche solo accennati, sono stati ampiamente sviscerati dal 1978), eppure attraverso la lente dei freaks mette deliberatamente a nudo la società moderna tratteggiandone un ritratto beffardo e accurato che rimane ancora drammaticamente attuale.

[Alessia’s Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️ un saggio imperdibile!

[Carlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saggio sulla figura del freak e il suo impatto sulla società e la cultura di varie epoche come mostro repellente e/o oggetto di desiderio.
Molto ben strutturato, l'analisi parte introducendo le varie tipologie di freak, dai nani ai giganti, passando per i gemelli siamesi e gli intersessuali.
Bellissima anche la parte sul cinema e la letteratura, e sulla riscoperta del film Freaks (1932).
Nonostante sia un testo del '78, molti concetti sono decisamente attuali (vedasi politically correct e normalizzazione dei corpi).

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sono sempre stata affascinata dal mondo e dalla storia dei freaks e dei freak show, tanto da farci la tesi di laurea per la specialistica. Questo libro offre una buona infarinatura di quelli che sono stati i più famosi freaks della storia, le loro storie, le origini di alcuni mini a loro legati. Descrive ciò che è realtà e ciò che invece è stato inventato, alimentando la curiosità per questo mondo.

[Bradley Fung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic, it not only covers some of the most famous freaks tropes of the sideshow, but also details their historical significance by providing context on their culural significance throughout history. In addition to presenting them as relative to historical events and figures, Fielder also finds connections between freaks and cultural works including myths, plays and movies. A really well executed work bringing these figures to life with a lot of dignity and respect for the time.

[Michael Kerjman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also a comprehensive work approaching issue of genetic deformities from various jakstopoints, it didn't ingrasp a reader for rather dry descriptions and some repeetidness.
A good source of information.

[Rob Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.5 stars]

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insomma, usato come fonte per la tesi, ma spesso banale, non approfondisce. Racconta aneddoti interessanti però

[Victoria Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Fiedler is both brilliant in his observations and occasionally offensive in his voice. While I might dispute some of his arguments, this book has been around for a while already, and I have to respect the foundations that this text laid for future studies intersecting Freak Shows and literature with disability studies. Fiedler sets up some persuasive ideas throughout his text. I found the history laid out in the introduction to be particularly intriguing, as well as the chapters on dwarfs, which played an important role in my undergraduate honors thesis research.
Overall, I would recommend this text for those interested in learning more about freak shows throughout literature and history, though I hesitate to recommend it to those who are sensitive to non-PC criticism.

[Holly Lindquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

First published in the 60s when the word "freak" had attained a different meaning, this book covers an important subject. It may not be even close to politically-correct by our standards, but any discomfort we feel as readers should not keep us from discovering these people's amazing lives. How our culture treats outsiders, whether their differences are physical or otherwise, tells us a great deal about our own humanity. I refuse to look away from people who have accomplished so much with almost unimaginable challenges, simply because I have minor disagreements with the author's impersonal tone. If you'd like to read more about the individual stories of these people, something with a less scientific and more compassionate slant, then try Frederick Drimmer's Very Special People.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what cultural studies used to look like. It's a Goddamn shame it's out of print.

[Giuseppe D'Antonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teratologico.

[Arnpoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting read because it covers a lot of cultural aspects missed by most of the more sensational books in the market.

[Ornella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Bellissima lettura