The Carnivale of Curiosities has a strong gothic novel feel. Set in 1880s London, this is a story with many themes. Aurelius Ashe is a magician, imbued with powers that go beyond illusion, yet also involve his subjects’ illusions. Together with a masterful carpenter, inventor of machinery and careful craftsman, Mr. Pretorius, Ashe is responsible for having done something far out of bounds in saving the life of Luce. At one point, this was very publicly known, but now that Luce is a young man, it has been many years since he was called Lazarus. Ashe owns a troupe made up of “curiosities” who travel the world. More than a freak show, each member has developed their talents to be both performing artists as well as being individuals who are different. Columbine, the Albino woman from Africa who is a gifted gymnastic and silks performer; Angelique a tiny woman who dances; Georgie, a body covered in hair and still a boy plays beautiful violin. There are people in the troupe who can read minds, who can make fire and create pictures with it; who can shape change and go about invisible in the world. Some of these gifts are supernatural/fantastical. Others are developed from inate talent.
Across London from the Athenaeum Theater where the Carnivale is playing every night is the Rose home, one of the grandest residences in London, where Milbrough Rose, now dead, established his family. He was highly successful in banking and less known very lucrative business. His son Odilon now heads the house. Florence, Odilon’s younger sister is married off to an elderly judge and his ward, a beautiful young woman named Charlotte, has leukemia. Odilon desperately wants to save her life. Charlotte came to the family when her mother, a former nursemaid to the children, passed away.
Odilon has done his homework, hiring individuals who could bring harm to Ashe because he wants something from him and he wants to ensure he gets it. Ashe knows the Roses and is ambivalent about helping. So begins the dance between two powerful men, each with complex personalities and of questionable morality. The various connections between and among the characters are revealed along the way. Violence is perpetrated. We are called upon to consider the condition of people in 1880s London with a twist as to who is really blessed in their lives and who is not. It asks the question, “What is possible and do we want what is possible?” There is a bit of the old cult favorite movie, “Freaks” in this; a bit of Jack the Ripper;, a bit of Mary Shelly/Frankenstein; and lots and lots of atmosphere. Overall I was really engaged with the story, the writing, the setting and the characters. I did not love the ending, but it leaves open possibilities that there is more to come, so I am okay with it. I can definitely recommend this to anyone attracted to this kind of story. Very well done.
They Called me Bookworm 