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The Catch Trap
Tommy Zane hates lions, a major obstacle in a family of lion tamers. But Tommy's dreams--and talent--fly higher, up in the rigging with the trapeze. When rising star Mario Santelli offers him flying lessons, it looks like the start of wonderful new life, and to Tommy's surprise, his relationship with Mario deepens even as his skill soars in the rigging. But life in the 1940s forces them to keep their love a secret, and the stress pushes both Tommy and Mario to a precipice. And as Mario flies higher and higher, Tommy begins to wonder if it will always be his role to catch Mario as he falls.
A tremendously moving tale, a rich family saga, a wise and compassionate portrait of a special love in a cruel world.
A tremendously moving tale, a rich family saga, a wise and compassionate portrait of a special love in a cruel world.
638 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1979
66 people are currently reading
2592 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
634 books4,841 followersMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
December 26, 2014
I read this book every year.
It is like a vacation for me, I take time, set it aside and go visit Tommy and Matt for a few weeks. Every year it is different, every year it is the same. Every year I cry, every year I fall in love. There is so much magic in this book it s impossible to explain with just words, which is ironic since the magic was made with words but I digress.
A tale of two trapeze artists told in the backdrop of Post World War II, this book spans years and years of Tommy and Matt and their evolution from two guys fooling around to soul mates. To me at least, it is THE gay love story of the 20th century and widely unknown to most people.
Marion Zimmer Bradley of course is famous for a whole other type of book, but she had a passion for gay men and the circus. In the print book forward she explains the differences of the real and the fictional circus which only shows how much she loves the subject. You can feel the dirt on your face, hear the crowd gasp, taste the crappy concession food...and yes, you fall in love with the boys.
This is a long read, not a little skim you can dance over in a few days. This book insists on your full attention and if you cannot give it or do not have the attention span to give, do not read this book. I am reading it on my Kindle Fire this year and I feel like I am cheating a little on my big old hardback copy, but the ability to open up and BE there with Tommy and Matt in a blink of an eye...invaluable. If my Kindle stopped doing everything else but display this book, I would still think it was a good investment.
This isn't a love story where two perfect people fall in love. This is a life story about two people struggling to find the best part of themselves in someone else. So if you are one of those judgmental readers who gets all pissy when someone is an asshole, or as I put it a real person, then avoid the book. These people are real, not chess pieces for your own private imagination. Matt is an asshole and Tommy is famously weak. They are caught in a spiral of passion that threatens to destroy everything they are and at times, that means good people do bad things.
But if you like fantastic writing, incredible characters and a setting that you will look back and go, i want to see that again...this my friend is your book. Now on the Kindle, it has NEVER been easier to discover the wonder of Catch Trap.
I'll be over setting up the rigging for the three o'clock show, wave and I'll buy you a hot dog before it starts.
It is like a vacation for me, I take time, set it aside and go visit Tommy and Matt for a few weeks. Every year it is different, every year it is the same. Every year I cry, every year I fall in love. There is so much magic in this book it s impossible to explain with just words, which is ironic since the magic was made with words but I digress.
A tale of two trapeze artists told in the backdrop of Post World War II, this book spans years and years of Tommy and Matt and their evolution from two guys fooling around to soul mates. To me at least, it is THE gay love story of the 20th century and widely unknown to most people.
Marion Zimmer Bradley of course is famous for a whole other type of book, but she had a passion for gay men and the circus. In the print book forward she explains the differences of the real and the fictional circus which only shows how much she loves the subject. You can feel the dirt on your face, hear the crowd gasp, taste the crappy concession food...and yes, you fall in love with the boys.
This is a long read, not a little skim you can dance over in a few days. This book insists on your full attention and if you cannot give it or do not have the attention span to give, do not read this book. I am reading it on my Kindle Fire this year and I feel like I am cheating a little on my big old hardback copy, but the ability to open up and BE there with Tommy and Matt in a blink of an eye...invaluable. If my Kindle stopped doing everything else but display this book, I would still think it was a good investment.
This isn't a love story where two perfect people fall in love. This is a life story about two people struggling to find the best part of themselves in someone else. So if you are one of those judgmental readers who gets all pissy when someone is an asshole, or as I put it a real person, then avoid the book. These people are real, not chess pieces for your own private imagination. Matt is an asshole and Tommy is famously weak. They are caught in a spiral of passion that threatens to destroy everything they are and at times, that means good people do bad things.
But if you like fantastic writing, incredible characters and a setting that you will look back and go, i want to see that again...this my friend is your book. Now on the Kindle, it has NEVER been easier to discover the wonder of Catch Trap.
I'll be over setting up the rigging for the three o'clock show, wave and I'll buy you a hot dog before it starts.
September 14, 2013
I just can't believe how disappointed I am with this book. I searched for it for so long and when I finally found it and read it I just...I can't adequately explain how I feel. I won't lament too much though & I will try not to include spoilers. I acknowledge beforehand that this is only my meager opinion.
Marion ZB was obviously a talented writer, and I have enjoyed some of her other works, but as a gay, male reader, I found this piece so poorly done, so brutal, even offensive at times, that I honestly don't think I could read anything else by her. It has just shattered the author's mystique for me. I get that the story was set in the 40s & 50s (in fact, it was a primary reason I was so excited to read it), but it was so full of self loathing and the characters did so many pointless, heartless, unforgivable things (to each other and others) that I just can not appreciate it even for nostalgic purposes. I realized about a third of the way through that I honestly no longer cared for the characters and I did not even want them to be together in the end. I just stopped rooting for their individual happiness or their Happily Ever After, which was an honest-to-goodness first for me.
I am not slamming this book and I'm not just trying to be negative. I really put in some time and effort to find this piece of literature. I can appreciate that it was written in a certain time and some of the "glimpses of the past" were nice. There were a few very nicely written excerpts and some boldly tackled taboos, and I enjoyed the aspect of circus life, which led to a new interest for me. But the supposedly "romantic" aspect and the homosexual aspects were so awful for me that by the end I wished I had not started. I love lengthy novels and beforehand I saw the 500+ pages as a bonus. And to be clear, I was not bothered by the age differences and all that. I am not a sensitive reader. But it was all the self hatred (regardless of the era and societal issues), all the heterosexual dealings (there seemed to be more effort dedicated to the heterosexual aspects than the homosexual). I don’t know if that was purposely done or if it was just due to the author’s limitations as a heterosexual female. She almost seemed like she used the heterosexual aspects to “tow the line” on the subject matter, or balance the homosexual facets, which frankly is insulting. But there were so many other vicious moments for me (potential SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER: like Mario & Tommy, men supposedly so “in love” with each other, maliciously having sex with women (who they had just met & supposedly had no interest in) in front of each other just to prove points!) They were so cruel to each other at times. So much volatility and hostility, and quite frankly so many sadistic and brutal moments that I just wanted it to end. I guess the author was going for an epic, hard-earned love, but to me it failed miserably. It wasn’t tender or sweet like I hoped, at least not enough to compensate (repeatedly treating someone like dirt, then crying and apologizing about it doesn’t count).
Ultimately, I didn’t believe in the author’s story and I didn’t believe in her characters. I kept asking myself “How did Mrs. Bradley really feel about gay people?” Regardless of her reported scandals and all. Again, she was obviously talented, but it almost seemed like this was some inconsequential story that she didn’t really care about but wrote it just to prove that she could write about the subject matter. It definitely did not feel like a labor of love. I get that she put a lot of time and research in the writing, but it honestly did not come through for me. Now that I think of it, I think I may have actually enjoyed the story better if it just didn't focus on any sex or relationships at all. Perhaps if she had solely focused on the circus life and the aerial feats and such, I think it would have really been a great read for me. I felt so helpless and disappointed when I finished reading this and, with all the rave reviews, I wondered if there was anybody who felt the same. The story had such a promising premise, and I actually tried to re-read it to be sure but, alas, this one was torture for me.
Marion ZB was obviously a talented writer, and I have enjoyed some of her other works, but as a gay, male reader, I found this piece so poorly done, so brutal, even offensive at times, that I honestly don't think I could read anything else by her. It has just shattered the author's mystique for me. I get that the story was set in the 40s & 50s (in fact, it was a primary reason I was so excited to read it), but it was so full of self loathing and the characters did so many pointless, heartless, unforgivable things (to each other and others) that I just can not appreciate it even for nostalgic purposes. I realized about a third of the way through that I honestly no longer cared for the characters and I did not even want them to be together in the end. I just stopped rooting for their individual happiness or their Happily Ever After, which was an honest-to-goodness first for me.
I am not slamming this book and I'm not just trying to be negative. I really put in some time and effort to find this piece of literature. I can appreciate that it was written in a certain time and some of the "glimpses of the past" were nice. There were a few very nicely written excerpts and some boldly tackled taboos, and I enjoyed the aspect of circus life, which led to a new interest for me. But the supposedly "romantic" aspect and the homosexual aspects were so awful for me that by the end I wished I had not started. I love lengthy novels and beforehand I saw the 500+ pages as a bonus. And to be clear, I was not bothered by the age differences and all that. I am not a sensitive reader. But it was all the self hatred (regardless of the era and societal issues), all the heterosexual dealings (there seemed to be more effort dedicated to the heterosexual aspects than the homosexual). I don’t know if that was purposely done or if it was just due to the author’s limitations as a heterosexual female. She almost seemed like she used the heterosexual aspects to “tow the line” on the subject matter, or balance the homosexual facets, which frankly is insulting. But there were so many other vicious moments for me (potential SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER: like Mario & Tommy, men supposedly so “in love” with each other, maliciously having sex with women (who they had just met & supposedly had no interest in) in front of each other just to prove points!) They were so cruel to each other at times. So much volatility and hostility, and quite frankly so many sadistic and brutal moments that I just wanted it to end. I guess the author was going for an epic, hard-earned love, but to me it failed miserably. It wasn’t tender or sweet like I hoped, at least not enough to compensate (repeatedly treating someone like dirt, then crying and apologizing about it doesn’t count).
Ultimately, I didn’t believe in the author’s story and I didn’t believe in her characters. I kept asking myself “How did Mrs. Bradley really feel about gay people?” Regardless of her reported scandals and all. Again, she was obviously talented, but it almost seemed like this was some inconsequential story that she didn’t really care about but wrote it just to prove that she could write about the subject matter. It definitely did not feel like a labor of love. I get that she put a lot of time and research in the writing, but it honestly did not come through for me. Now that I think of it, I think I may have actually enjoyed the story better if it just didn't focus on any sex or relationships at all. Perhaps if she had solely focused on the circus life and the aerial feats and such, I think it would have really been a great read for me. I felt so helpless and disappointed when I finished reading this and, with all the rave reviews, I wondered if there was anybody who felt the same. The story had such a promising premise, and I actually tried to re-read it to be sure but, alas, this one was torture for me.
February 8, 2017
I actually read this several years ago and haven't done a proper review for it at the time.
Looking back to it now, I still remember how much this story impressed me.
Tommy joining the Santelli circus to assist Mario Santelli on the trapeze with both guys developing feelings for each other over the years in a time before gay relationships were even 'a thing' almost broke me apart.
This book is very dark at times, but mainly it is an epos about an Italian family and two very complicated people working and loving each other in a very unusual (for me) environment.
We follow them over many years and even though it doesn't have the HEA you usually expect from romance books, I loved this story dearly!
5 stars!
Looking back to it now, I still remember how much this story impressed me.
Tommy joining the Santelli circus to assist Mario Santelli on the trapeze with both guys developing feelings for each other over the years in a time before gay relationships were even 'a thing' almost broke me apart.
This book is very dark at times, but mainly it is an epos about an Italian family and two very complicated people working and loving each other in a very unusual (for me) environment.
We follow them over many years and even though it doesn't have the HEA you usually expect from romance books, I loved this story dearly!
5 stars!
May 25, 2010
As a fan of circus stories, and someone who has been so since a little kid, this was something I was really looking forward to. I had very few preconceptions, as I didn’t know what era it was set in or whether it had a romance ending, or anything. I love films such as Trapeze (I saw the homoerotic subtext in there, even before I discovered gay romance) and The Greatest Show on Earth so as I say I was happy to jump in to The Catch Trap.
And overall I wasn’t disappointed. Tommy Zane is the young son of lion tamers who realises early on that he doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps and train the big cats, he’s always wanted to fly–and before the Santellis arrive at the second-rate circus his family is working in–he hasn’t been given the chance. He has, however, had a lot of experience in many related disciplines; he helps out with the aerial ballet, does tumbling and generally helps out wherever needed. When watching one of the flyers working, he’s invited up onto the practice rig, and his life changes forever.
The story is–at its core–the tale of the romance between Tommy and Mario, and this takes many years to spin out, and has inevitable ups and downs, but it’s a lot more than that too. Mario is working on a triple somersault, something that had, at this time (1940s/1950s) only been done by a very few people. In fact, it was, before someone did it, considered an impossible feat.
A note should be added here about the history. In a lengthy foreword, the author explains that she decided for various reasons to make the history of the trapeze and in particular, the triple somersault, an alternate history. I can see her concerns, considering the homosexual plotline, but I wish she hadn’t done it, as I always like to be informed when reading, saying to myself “I did not know that!” and as she’s invented the first proponent of the triple, and the men who are performing it, I didn’t get that kick of real history.
After a while, Tommy is invited to train properly and moves in with the Santelli family, a vast, bickering exuberant bunch. The family Santelli is a wonderful invention, from the matriarch down to the children. The family are all flying mad, and are held together by discipline and tradition going back fifty years. At times I found the endless bickering and arguing repeitive in the extreme, and there’s sometimes too much dialogue which goes nowhere, and could easily have been cut, but this doesn’t spoil the story overall. Like all families, there’s good and bad, and acceptance, when it does come, comes from an unexpected source, and rejection and bigotry also comes from a source you don’t see coming.
Tommy is fifteen when he’s first approached sexually by Mario, so people who find anyone having sex under 18 as distasteful are going to want to avoid this. I admit I found it mildly disturbing–not because of Tommy’s youth even in the times that this was set–but because Mario’s first approach came over as little more than “interfering” with Tommy when he was in no position to object (they were sitting in the back of a moving car). Previous to this they had been sharing a bed, and arms had been put around each other “in sleep” and “unconscious” kisses exchanged, but this was passed off by Tommy as that Mario was asleep and didn’t know what he was doing. It didn’t matter to me that Tommy was accepting of this back seat advance, Mario knew that Tommy could hardly scream “get off me!” and so in this case I did, as I said, find it a little creepy, even though Tommy didn’t mind.
This is actually echoed by Mario, as the first part of their relationship is peppered with a lot of guilt and disgust on his part as he castigates himself for having “corrupted” Tommy and is justifiably scared of what would happen if it was found out, as he’s about 8 years older, he knows that Tommy would not–in all likelihood–have anything really bad happen to him, but it would be jail for Mario, and that’s somewhere he’s been before.
At times I found Mario pretty hard going, and I think that if I was Tommy I would have given up on him pretty early on, but Tommy is in love and there’s little stronger than a teenager’s first love. Their relationship is pretty stormy; inevitable really, considering the pressure cooker it’s kept in–not being able to be openly affectionate in any way, keeping it secret despite sharing a room. Both of them have hot tempers, Mario in particular, and this is another reason why I lost respect for him, because his own self-loathing breaks into violence with Tommy on more than one occasion.
Tommy is a little difficult to get to know–he goes through a lot, but because the author rarely lets us into anyone’s head, it’s hard to fathom. He leaves home for the Santellis and hardly looks back, or thinks about his parents, and even when a tragedy hits him–one that I know would have poleaxed me for weeks, it’s hardly mentioned after the occurrence. I’m sure the author didn’t mean to make him shallow, she’s probably concentrating on other aspects of the plot, but at times he comes across as such.
It’s very much Tommy’s story–and we follow it from his underage crush, to the state where he’s grown up and out from Mario’s aggressive and over-moody wing and begins to doubt whether he can live with this man, this secret and this family any more, and what place he’ll ever have in Mario’s life, and how to achieve it.
What I was a little disappointed with, is that there’s not enough of the life of the circus in the description. There’s a good deal of the trapeze of course, and I learned a lot–the Catch Trap for example is the Catcher’s Trapeze–but there wasn’t enough of the daily routine, little description of the tearing down and the rebuilding of the circus, few interractions with all the varied people who must frequent such a place, and I would have liked to have seen more of that.
Anyone expecting an easy, loving romance should be aware, it’s simply not that. There are very few scenes where the couple are comfortable and sweet with each other, and that’s just how it should be. It’s often an uncomfortable read–a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, not only with the fear of the discovery of their relationship, or for queerbashing purposes, but because of the very real danger that the flyers face, every time they climb the ladders onto the rig. I doubt Ms Bradley ever flew, but she’s certainly done her research.
I’m slicing a star off from the review for the beginning love scene, and for the uneven and often repetitive writing. It’s a large book, and would have benefited from a bit of a chop here and there. But as a stimulating and thoughtful romance, forged in danger and cemented in the air, it’s certainly a book that will keep you thinking about the protagonists, long after you’ve finished.
What’s unbelievable, in these days of a gay romance boom, that this book is out of print, and copies aren’t that easy to come by, and often are hugely expensive, but if you fancy a good read, then keep trying, you’ll pick one up eventually. Despite the missing star, I do consider this to be an Essential Read for anyone serious about writing gay historical fiction.
And overall I wasn’t disappointed. Tommy Zane is the young son of lion tamers who realises early on that he doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps and train the big cats, he’s always wanted to fly–and before the Santellis arrive at the second-rate circus his family is working in–he hasn’t been given the chance. He has, however, had a lot of experience in many related disciplines; he helps out with the aerial ballet, does tumbling and generally helps out wherever needed. When watching one of the flyers working, he’s invited up onto the practice rig, and his life changes forever.
The story is–at its core–the tale of the romance between Tommy and Mario, and this takes many years to spin out, and has inevitable ups and downs, but it’s a lot more than that too. Mario is working on a triple somersault, something that had, at this time (1940s/1950s) only been done by a very few people. In fact, it was, before someone did it, considered an impossible feat.
A note should be added here about the history. In a lengthy foreword, the author explains that she decided for various reasons to make the history of the trapeze and in particular, the triple somersault, an alternate history. I can see her concerns, considering the homosexual plotline, but I wish she hadn’t done it, as I always like to be informed when reading, saying to myself “I did not know that!” and as she’s invented the first proponent of the triple, and the men who are performing it, I didn’t get that kick of real history.
After a while, Tommy is invited to train properly and moves in with the Santelli family, a vast, bickering exuberant bunch. The family Santelli is a wonderful invention, from the matriarch down to the children. The family are all flying mad, and are held together by discipline and tradition going back fifty years. At times I found the endless bickering and arguing repeitive in the extreme, and there’s sometimes too much dialogue which goes nowhere, and could easily have been cut, but this doesn’t spoil the story overall. Like all families, there’s good and bad, and acceptance, when it does come, comes from an unexpected source, and rejection and bigotry also comes from a source you don’t see coming.
Tommy is fifteen when he’s first approached sexually by Mario, so people who find anyone having sex under 18 as distasteful are going to want to avoid this. I admit I found it mildly disturbing–not because of Tommy’s youth even in the times that this was set–but because Mario’s first approach came over as little more than “interfering” with Tommy when he was in no position to object (they were sitting in the back of a moving car). Previous to this they had been sharing a bed, and arms had been put around each other “in sleep” and “unconscious” kisses exchanged, but this was passed off by Tommy as that Mario was asleep and didn’t know what he was doing. It didn’t matter to me that Tommy was accepting of this back seat advance, Mario knew that Tommy could hardly scream “get off me!” and so in this case I did, as I said, find it a little creepy, even though Tommy didn’t mind.
This is actually echoed by Mario, as the first part of their relationship is peppered with a lot of guilt and disgust on his part as he castigates himself for having “corrupted” Tommy and is justifiably scared of what would happen if it was found out, as he’s about 8 years older, he knows that Tommy would not–in all likelihood–have anything really bad happen to him, but it would be jail for Mario, and that’s somewhere he’s been before.
At times I found Mario pretty hard going, and I think that if I was Tommy I would have given up on him pretty early on, but Tommy is in love and there’s little stronger than a teenager’s first love. Their relationship is pretty stormy; inevitable really, considering the pressure cooker it’s kept in–not being able to be openly affectionate in any way, keeping it secret despite sharing a room. Both of them have hot tempers, Mario in particular, and this is another reason why I lost respect for him, because his own self-loathing breaks into violence with Tommy on more than one occasion.
Tommy is a little difficult to get to know–he goes through a lot, but because the author rarely lets us into anyone’s head, it’s hard to fathom. He leaves home for the Santellis and hardly looks back, or thinks about his parents, and even when a tragedy hits him–one that I know would have poleaxed me for weeks, it’s hardly mentioned after the occurrence. I’m sure the author didn’t mean to make him shallow, she’s probably concentrating on other aspects of the plot, but at times he comes across as such.
It’s very much Tommy’s story–and we follow it from his underage crush, to the state where he’s grown up and out from Mario’s aggressive and over-moody wing and begins to doubt whether he can live with this man, this secret and this family any more, and what place he’ll ever have in Mario’s life, and how to achieve it.
What I was a little disappointed with, is that there’s not enough of the life of the circus in the description. There’s a good deal of the trapeze of course, and I learned a lot–the Catch Trap for example is the Catcher’s Trapeze–but there wasn’t enough of the daily routine, little description of the tearing down and the rebuilding of the circus, few interractions with all the varied people who must frequent such a place, and I would have liked to have seen more of that.
Anyone expecting an easy, loving romance should be aware, it’s simply not that. There are very few scenes where the couple are comfortable and sweet with each other, and that’s just how it should be. It’s often an uncomfortable read–a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, not only with the fear of the discovery of their relationship, or for queerbashing purposes, but because of the very real danger that the flyers face, every time they climb the ladders onto the rig. I doubt Ms Bradley ever flew, but she’s certainly done her research.
I’m slicing a star off from the review for the beginning love scene, and for the uneven and often repetitive writing. It’s a large book, and would have benefited from a bit of a chop here and there. But as a stimulating and thoughtful romance, forged in danger and cemented in the air, it’s certainly a book that will keep you thinking about the protagonists, long after you’ve finished.
What’s unbelievable, in these days of a gay romance boom, that this book is out of print, and copies aren’t that easy to come by, and often are hugely expensive, but if you fancy a good read, then keep trying, you’ll pick one up eventually. Despite the missing star, I do consider this to be an Essential Read for anyone serious about writing gay historical fiction.
June 1, 2020
"... we can feel each other move, like we were both moving on the same heartbeat"
THIS BOOK MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME...
My very first m/m book, back when I was a teen and I've read the German edition countless times since then - there's a battered paperback on my shelves to prove it.
The setting... The atmosphere... The love story... Everything about it is unique and gets to me every single time. I mean, which girl wouldn't be fascinated by the thrill of a trapeze act, hot artists and the world of the circus in general? ;-)
This was the first time I've read the original version and I loved it even more, if that's even possible. Mario and Tommy will always hold a special place in my heart.
For me, this is a comfort read in times like these, for sure...
September 21, 2010
This is hands down, the best book I've ever read with gay men as the main characters. It's honestly a masterpiece of gay literature. This is the story of love and romance between Mario and Tommy, two circus flyers, and everything that happens around them. It's so original, so creative, and so expertly written. The details and descriptions put into this are excellent and reading it was almost surreal. I was in love with it from the first chapter and didn't want it to end. I wish there were more books like this out there. It gets my highest recommendation.
June 10, 2011
There are so many reason why I shouldn't love this book, but the simple truth is I couldn't put it down.
It's not an easy read. Tommy, the character whose POV is mostly used, is, at fifteen, young and naive, and so very much in love with Mario, his trapeze mentor who is about eight years older than him.
Mario is a hard person to love, though. He's self-destructive and full of self-loathing, despite being an immensely talented flyer and a natural teacher.
I love the time setting (forties and fifties) and I'm glad Ms. Zimmer Bradley didn't shy away from the realities of that time. Homosexuality was illegal and Mario's fear of getting caught didn't stop when Tommy came of age. Neither of them could come out to their parents and their feelings about always being careful and always needing to hide are often addressed. The self-loathing in Mario isn't covered up or glossed over. Sadly this was (and sometimes still is) a reality.
Personally I didn't have a problem with the underage sex, or the fact it was almost never picture perfect. I'm used to more explicit scenes, but even the 'fade to grey' didn't bother me (I'm a writer. my imagination came in very handy!)
Overall, the rawness of it, and its contrast to the supposedly glamorous world of trapeze artists, makes it a definite Recommended Read.
It's not an easy read. Tommy, the character whose POV is mostly used, is, at fifteen, young and naive, and so very much in love with Mario, his trapeze mentor who is about eight years older than him.
Mario is a hard person to love, though. He's self-destructive and full of self-loathing, despite being an immensely talented flyer and a natural teacher.
I love the time setting (forties and fifties) and I'm glad Ms. Zimmer Bradley didn't shy away from the realities of that time. Homosexuality was illegal and Mario's fear of getting caught didn't stop when Tommy came of age. Neither of them could come out to their parents and their feelings about always being careful and always needing to hide are often addressed. The self-loathing in Mario isn't covered up or glossed over. Sadly this was (and sometimes still is) a reality.
Personally I didn't have a problem with the underage sex, or the fact it was almost never picture perfect. I'm used to more explicit scenes, but even the 'fade to grey' didn't bother me (I'm a writer. my imagination came in very handy!)
Overall, the rawness of it, and its contrast to the supposedly glamorous world of trapeze artists, makes it a definite Recommended Read.
September 27, 2019
Struggled to halfway through and could not finish. This book is about the lives of a bunch of low rent acrobats and entertainers. A 14 yo's parents allowed the kid to drop out of school in order to travel and fool around in the circus with a completely unrelated family. One of the family members who trains the kid begins to fraternize with him; actually the love story is he is an emotionally unstable pedophile who begins to prey on the kid in his sleep, attempting to furnish him alcohol, secretly gropes him with other people present, and so on. The pedophile expresses remorse for his actions and the 14 yo (actually I suppose he's 15 at the halfway point) reassures the pedophile that it's alright and that he loves him. They fight a lot about their forbidden natures. There is also some nonsense with their continued employment, although if any adult had any sense in this story they would have shut the place down and sent the main characters both to school so they could gain a collective IQ greater than 25.
UPDATE: Just found out that the author was accused of sexually assaulting her daughter when her daughter was between the ages 3-12. That would explain a lot about this book
UPDATE: Just found out that the author was accused of sexually assaulting her daughter when her daughter was between the ages 3-12. That would explain a lot about this book
April 30, 2022
Second read and still....
This story, no matter how flawed it was at times, will stay with me forever. I adore Tommy and how his loving patience and devotion carried his tortured lover Mario through their tulmutuous affair with each other and the circus. How could I forget the Flying Santellis? This was a beautiful, detailed and finely crafted novel. yes, in some places it dragged and at times the self deprecating was heavy, but the lovers grow and learn and in the end the magic of the story comes together in the last few chapters making my heart soar like Mario leaping into his sauto mortale attempting the triple and being caught--always caught--by his soulmate, his muse, his lover, his fortuna, Lucky--Tommy Zane.
So many interesting side characters. So many family dramas and reconciliation, through the second world war and on, the Santellis struggle to hold their famous place under different circus tops and through fights and betrayals, losses and deaths, changes and traditions challenged, the family ties remain and the show must go on.
When the book opens, Tommy is only a boy of fifteen or so, dying to learn the dangerous and thrilling craft of flying, and then his mentor, temperamental but oh so beautiful Mario takes him under his wing, and an epic love story begins...
In the end. he is a man. Toughen yet still so tender and committed to the man he's followed all of his life.
They are flyer and catcher, two halves of a whole. They will always be dressed in green and gold in my mind and swinging in perfect timing under the bright lights of a big top somewhere in a sleepy town.
They will always be young and full of gusto and zeal, sneaking away in a thunderstorm for a stolen moment of passion they had to hide all of their lives.
Imperfect but unforgettable.
Now on another note... Some people found it problematic that Tommy was underaged when Mario/Matt began to love him and touch him. To that I say, when I was fifteen, if some older woman would have loved me and respected me and taught me everything and done it the way Mario did to Tommy, i would have been saved all the bad treatment and manipulation and sometimes abuse I got from people my own age!
This story, no matter how flawed it was at times, will stay with me forever. I adore Tommy and how his loving patience and devotion carried his tortured lover Mario through their tulmutuous affair with each other and the circus. How could I forget the Flying Santellis? This was a beautiful, detailed and finely crafted novel. yes, in some places it dragged and at times the self deprecating was heavy, but the lovers grow and learn and in the end the magic of the story comes together in the last few chapters making my heart soar like Mario leaping into his sauto mortale attempting the triple and being caught--always caught--by his soulmate, his muse, his lover, his fortuna, Lucky--Tommy Zane.
So many interesting side characters. So many family dramas and reconciliation, through the second world war and on, the Santellis struggle to hold their famous place under different circus tops and through fights and betrayals, losses and deaths, changes and traditions challenged, the family ties remain and the show must go on.
When the book opens, Tommy is only a boy of fifteen or so, dying to learn the dangerous and thrilling craft of flying, and then his mentor, temperamental but oh so beautiful Mario takes him under his wing, and an epic love story begins...
In the end. he is a man. Toughen yet still so tender and committed to the man he's followed all of his life.
They are flyer and catcher, two halves of a whole. They will always be dressed in green and gold in my mind and swinging in perfect timing under the bright lights of a big top somewhere in a sleepy town.
They will always be young and full of gusto and zeal, sneaking away in a thunderstorm for a stolen moment of passion they had to hide all of their lives.
Imperfect but unforgettable.
Now on another note... Some people found it problematic that Tommy was underaged when Mario/Matt began to love him and touch him. To that I say, when I was fifteen, if some older woman would have loved me and respected me and taught me everything and done it the way Mario did to Tommy, i would have been saved all the bad treatment and manipulation and sometimes abuse I got from people my own age!
July 28, 2014
Um livro magnífico, é o que me ocorre comentar. O trabalho de pesquisa da autora deve ter sido imenso, tal o domínio da arte do trapézio que se percebe na escrita. Os voadores Mário e Tommy apaixonam-se, discutem, lutam, desaparecem das vidas um do outro (não sem consequências), mas o amor que nutrem um pelo outro sobrevive a tudo e ao tempo em que estão separados. Além desta história nuclear, lemos a saga familiar de uma família de trapezistas, os amores e desamores dos seus elementos, os seus sucessos e dramas, e pequenas grandes tragédias. Também na família, confusa e conflituosa, o amor que sentem uns pelos outros prevalece. E neste âmbito familiar, o mais relevante, os preconceitos relativamente ao amor de Mário e Tommy podem não ser vencidos, mas estes encontram o seu lugar entre os que amam, sentindo-se e sabendo que são amados, e que ninguém os apontará ou tentará separar. Um livro emocionante até à última página.
January 27, 2015
Tanta, mas tanta coisa a dizer sobre esta obra prima de Marion Zimmer Bradley e eu pouco vou dizer.
Apenas que "Salto Mortal" é um dos mais admiráveis livros que já li, me emocionou e empolgou totalmente.
É um "grande" livro, e em todos os sentidos, pois se antes de iniciar a sua leitura, o seu tamanho me intimidava um pouco, no final o único incómodo das suas mais de 800 páginas foi o volume do livro não o permitir ler da melhor forma em certos lugares, nomeadamente na cama.
Quando conseguir arrumar melhor as minhas ideias sobre o livro irei publicar um texto "como deve ser" no meu blog "Whynotnow"...
Um livro assombroso!
Apenas que "Salto Mortal" é um dos mais admiráveis livros que já li, me emocionou e empolgou totalmente.
É um "grande" livro, e em todos os sentidos, pois se antes de iniciar a sua leitura, o seu tamanho me intimidava um pouco, no final o único incómodo das suas mais de 800 páginas foi o volume do livro não o permitir ler da melhor forma em certos lugares, nomeadamente na cama.
Quando conseguir arrumar melhor as minhas ideias sobre o livro irei publicar um texto "como deve ser" no meu blog "Whynotnow"...
Um livro assombroso!
March 17, 2017
I read this as a teenager decades ago. It was the first or one of the very first, books with gay characters and positive ones at that. It holds a special place in my heart.
October 6, 2009
I loved this book.
Set in the late 1940s/early 1950s, the story revolves around two central characters: Tommy Zane (through whose eyes most of the story is told) and Mario Santelli (aka Matt Gardner). Tommy wants to learn how to fly - on the trapeze - and Mario, the star flyer with the Flying Santellis, takes him under his wing. Soon Tommy becomes one of the family, even going by the name Tommy Santelli during the act.
Bradley does two things extremely well in this book: (1) describes circus life and especially the art of the trapeze in rich and vivid detail, bringing it to life for the reader; and (2) creates a realistic love story between two men, not shying away from all the implications of that relationship for the characters and the time.
Mario and Tommy are in love, but they have to hide it. The forced secrecy exacerbates Mario's already volatile temper and frustrates Tommy. It also creates unavoidable tension between them, and their fear of being caught makes for a sometimes dysfunctional relationship.
The story is told in three parts. In the first part, Tommy learns to fly, becomes part of the Santelli family, discovers his sexuality in sometimes painful (emotionally) ways, and learns that life for he and Mario isn't as easy as it is for everyone else. It ends with an unwanted revelation that sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Part 2 is very short and consists of the rift between Mario and Tommy as they are forced to go their separate ways. Though brief, it hurts to read, as by now the reader is invested in the lives of Tommy and Mario.
The third part begins five years after the second part ends. Tommy returns from the Army to discover that Mario has gone missing. Finding him languishing in a two-bit carnival, their reunion is bittersweet and inevitable. Evenutally they decide to team up again on the trapeze, hoping to recapture the magic they once had. In the end, Tommy realizes that his place is as Mario's catcher. The realization is symbolic, as Mario needs an anchor, someone to catch him when he falls and when he soars - on and off the trapeze. He's no good on his own; physically he's strong, but Tommy is his inner strength.
While it is a love story, at the heart of the novel lies a rich and storied family saga. Five generations of Santellis are present in the story and the complex and sometimes conflicting themes of love and loyalty make the story a realistic and intriguing tale.
The book isn't perfect. The final conflict/resolution of the story is a bit predictable and Bradley overuses a few phrases to the point of monotony. But overall, it's a fantastic story full of rich details, compelling characters, and a believable and sometimes heartbreaking love story. Oh, and it's about the trapeze. How many books can say that?
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Set in the late 1940s/early 1950s, the story revolves around two central characters: Tommy Zane (through whose eyes most of the story is told) and Mario Santelli (aka Matt Gardner). Tommy wants to learn how to fly - on the trapeze - and Mario, the star flyer with the Flying Santellis, takes him under his wing. Soon Tommy becomes one of the family, even going by the name Tommy Santelli during the act.
Bradley does two things extremely well in this book: (1) describes circus life and especially the art of the trapeze in rich and vivid detail, bringing it to life for the reader; and (2) creates a realistic love story between two men, not shying away from all the implications of that relationship for the characters and the time.
Mario and Tommy are in love, but they have to hide it. The forced secrecy exacerbates Mario's already volatile temper and frustrates Tommy. It also creates unavoidable tension between them, and their fear of being caught makes for a sometimes dysfunctional relationship.
The story is told in three parts. In the first part, Tommy learns to fly, becomes part of the Santelli family, discovers his sexuality in sometimes painful (emotionally) ways, and learns that life for he and Mario isn't as easy as it is for everyone else. It ends with an unwanted revelation that sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Part 2 is very short and consists of the rift between Mario and Tommy as they are forced to go their separate ways. Though brief, it hurts to read, as by now the reader is invested in the lives of Tommy and Mario.
The third part begins five years after the second part ends. Tommy returns from the Army to discover that Mario has gone missing. Finding him languishing in a two-bit carnival, their reunion is bittersweet and inevitable. Evenutally they decide to team up again on the trapeze, hoping to recapture the magic they once had. In the end, Tommy realizes that his place is as Mario's catcher. The realization is symbolic, as Mario needs an anchor, someone to catch him when he falls and when he soars - on and off the trapeze. He's no good on his own; physically he's strong, but Tommy is his inner strength.
While it is a love story, at the heart of the novel lies a rich and storied family saga. Five generations of Santellis are present in the story and the complex and sometimes conflicting themes of love and loyalty make the story a realistic and intriguing tale.
The book isn't perfect. The final conflict/resolution of the story is a bit predictable and Bradley overuses a few phrases to the point of monotony. But overall, it's a fantastic story full of rich details, compelling characters, and a believable and sometimes heartbreaking love story. Oh, and it's about the trapeze. How many books can say that?
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2010
I'm interested in what other writers of GLBT think of Marion Zimmer Bradley. I feel almost as if a piece of her got blown into my heart a decade ago. Like a dandelion gone to seed.
The Mists of Avalon was the first Arthurian legend based book that answered the need I had to see strong female characters in my favorite myth. Poor old Lord Tennyson had pretty much destroyed the women of the Round Table for me. Mindless idiots and evil witches. The Mists of Avalon was a sort of redemption.
Bradley was incredibly prolific and I haven't read all of her books. I'm thinking I may get myself down to a local used bookstore and find a few that I've missed.
This one reads, at times, like fan fiction. There are thousands of tiny story arcs shooting off into space while we follow the main three: Family, Flying trapeze history, and illegal love.
The last is handled with such insight and sympathy I am stunned every time I read it. She describes the loneliness, self-hatred and fear. The anger at having to hide this one true and beautiful thing in ones life, as if one is ashamed. And she does it simply and subtly, not hammering it home or making too much of it.
I think it ads to the book to know that one of her husbands was a gay man with whom she had a child. They were eventually divorced, but he and she remained friends. Bradley's deep compassion and love for human beings permeates all of her books. Her women and men are strong, sympathetic, and filled with mutual respect for each other.
The book is over 600 pages long. I've read it twice now. Towards the end, I find myself slowing and reading every page, savoring the world and the characters. This time I waited a week to read the last twenty pages, just to make it last.
I wish I could have met her. Her voice, nonetheless, is one of those that lives in my head.
The Mists of Avalon was the first Arthurian legend based book that answered the need I had to see strong female characters in my favorite myth. Poor old Lord Tennyson had pretty much destroyed the women of the Round Table for me. Mindless idiots and evil witches. The Mists of Avalon was a sort of redemption.
Bradley was incredibly prolific and I haven't read all of her books. I'm thinking I may get myself down to a local used bookstore and find a few that I've missed.
This one reads, at times, like fan fiction. There are thousands of tiny story arcs shooting off into space while we follow the main three: Family, Flying trapeze history, and illegal love.
The last is handled with such insight and sympathy I am stunned every time I read it. She describes the loneliness, self-hatred and fear. The anger at having to hide this one true and beautiful thing in ones life, as if one is ashamed. And she does it simply and subtly, not hammering it home or making too much of it.
I think it ads to the book to know that one of her husbands was a gay man with whom she had a child. They were eventually divorced, but he and she remained friends. Bradley's deep compassion and love for human beings permeates all of her books. Her women and men are strong, sympathetic, and filled with mutual respect for each other.
The book is over 600 pages long. I've read it twice now. Towards the end, I find myself slowing and reading every page, savoring the world and the characters. This time I waited a week to read the last twenty pages, just to make it last.
I wish I could have met her. Her voice, nonetheless, is one of those that lives in my head.
May 25, 2019
I was a huge fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series when I was a kid. After reading all of the Darkover books, I stumbled on the Catch Trap and read it because it was by MZB. It was the first book I can remember reading about being gay and made me feel like I could imagine being a gay man. It scared the crap out of me (i.e., in the same way reading and identifying with a character caught up in the Holocaust). Definitely one of my favorite books that changed my worldview. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who remembers and loves it.
May 16, 2007
I have reread this book many many times... It takes place during the 20's and 30's in the life of a circus performer and the family that he joins to become a famous trapezee artist. This is an amazing look at circus history over several decades as well as about love both romantic and familial. It was one of the best books ever.
May 15, 2015
The best book I ever read.
May 17, 2015
I think I'm going to have a hard time expressing how I felt about this book. Parts were magical and drug me right in. The author did a great job show casing the time period they lived in and the life in a traveling circus. I had an issue with more than one thing in this book though and in the end it was how blasted long it was that most impacted my rating. It just felt like it went on and on (and on.)
The story focuses on Tommy, a teen who's parents are lion tamers in a traveling circus. Tommy has always wanted to be a "flyer" though and he ends up studying with the family of aerialist that work at the circus. While learning the art of flying Tommy discovers his sexuality and falls in love with fellow artist Mario who is 7 years older. The two boys have a close friendship but a really rocky relationship. Mario is filled with self-loathing and shame at his homosexuality and he is mecurial at best. Sometimes he's kind and beautifully loving to Tommy and at others he's plain abusive. I admit I got a little squicked out. Not so much at the amount of years between them but at the power imbalance. There were scenes where I completely forgot how young Tommy was and scenes that seemed like child abuse. Despite this there is something touching about their relationship. (I know, I know. I'm contradicting myself but it's hard to explain. You just have to read it to understand.)
The story covers about 10-12 years of their lives so we see them as they are in adulthood. While the squick factor was gone this was the part I struggled with the most. They were separated for years and them getting back together was very anti-climatic. This section of the book was very detailed about the circus and the family around them but really just skimmed over their relationship. I just wasn't feeling it at all. All the magic of them together was gone. Even the hea was anti-climatic for me.
I can't really explain this clearly but the romance was the center of the story and yet it wasn't. We only see glimpses of the things between them and all the romance and sex scenes are fade to black or handled in a way you're not really sure what happened. You have to use your imagination to piece it together. I really wanted more of Mario and Tommy. The scenes they were together were great but there were just too few of them. I could have done with a lot less family and circus information. There were also two major issues that come up with Tommy and for me they were both out of left field. One was at about 80% and it made me kind of mad to be honest but more importantly it was huge but never mentioned between Tommy and Mario. Never followed up on. The second happens at around 90% and just left me with a huge wtf question mark over my head. 600 previous pages and this issue has never come up before and now at the very end of the book just pow. Again, it's mentioned, throws you in to a tail spin and then is dropped. They were almost mentioned in passing and then off the author went again talking about the family members and the circus acts. I just didn't see the point in either incident.
The author did a great job keeping to the detail and speech of the time period. This though was also an issue for me. The MC's talked like they were on an episode of Leave It To Beaver and I just couldn't take the emotions of a scene seriously enough. Scenes like a big, horrible fight and they're saying things like "I'm going to knock your block off fella." Same with the romance scenes. Totally my issue not a reflection of the book or the writing but at the end of the day it still didn't work for me.
Sooo....the first half or so was great despite the squick factor. I liked the author taking me uncomfortable places and creating such a unique story. The last half or so though losts it's magic and spent too much time on things other than the main couple. The book was just too long and had way too little Tommy and Mario for me.
The story focuses on Tommy, a teen who's parents are lion tamers in a traveling circus. Tommy has always wanted to be a "flyer" though and he ends up studying with the family of aerialist that work at the circus. While learning the art of flying Tommy discovers his sexuality and falls in love with fellow artist Mario who is 7 years older. The two boys have a close friendship but a really rocky relationship. Mario is filled with self-loathing and shame at his homosexuality and he is mecurial at best. Sometimes he's kind and beautifully loving to Tommy and at others he's plain abusive. I admit I got a little squicked out. Not so much at the amount of years between them but at the power imbalance. There were scenes where I completely forgot how young Tommy was and scenes that seemed like child abuse. Despite this there is something touching about their relationship. (I know, I know. I'm contradicting myself but it's hard to explain. You just have to read it to understand.)
The story covers about 10-12 years of their lives so we see them as they are in adulthood. While the squick factor was gone this was the part I struggled with the most. They were separated for years and them getting back together was very anti-climatic. This section of the book was very detailed about the circus and the family around them but really just skimmed over their relationship. I just wasn't feeling it at all. All the magic of them together was gone. Even the hea was anti-climatic for me.
I can't really explain this clearly but the romance was the center of the story and yet it wasn't. We only see glimpses of the things between them and all the romance and sex scenes are fade to black or handled in a way you're not really sure what happened. You have to use your imagination to piece it together. I really wanted more of Mario and Tommy. The scenes they were together were great but there were just too few of them. I could have done with a lot less family and circus information. There were also two major issues that come up with Tommy and for me they were both out of left field. One was at about 80% and it made me kind of mad to be honest but more importantly it was huge but never mentioned between Tommy and Mario. Never followed up on. The second happens at around 90% and just left me with a huge wtf question mark over my head. 600 previous pages and this issue has never come up before and now at the very end of the book just pow. Again, it's mentioned, throws you in to a tail spin and then is dropped. They were almost mentioned in passing and then off the author went again talking about the family members and the circus acts. I just didn't see the point in either incident.
The author did a great job keeping to the detail and speech of the time period. This though was also an issue for me. The MC's talked like they were on an episode of Leave It To Beaver and I just couldn't take the emotions of a scene seriously enough. Scenes like a big, horrible fight and they're saying things like "I'm going to knock your block off fella." Same with the romance scenes. Totally my issue not a reflection of the book or the writing but at the end of the day it still didn't work for me.
Sooo....the first half or so was great despite the squick factor. I liked the author taking me uncomfortable places and creating such a unique story. The last half or so though losts it's magic and spent too much time on things other than the main couple. The book was just too long and had way too little Tommy and Mario for me.
April 14, 2016
The Catch Trap, AKA The Book That Ate My Life.
This is not a short book. Going by word count, it's about as long as The Deathly Hallows. But I devoured this book in only two days, and when I wasn't reading it, my hands itched for it. The word I would use is "ensnaring". The only time I glanced at the page numbers was out of fear for the story ending too soon, rather than tediously counting how many pages I had left to suffer through. There was never a moment that I wasn't thoroughly invested in the plot. The core of this novel is about the love between Tommy Zane and Mario Santelli, and what makes the book good is that the author never lost sight of that purpose. Tommy and Mario are first introduced within the first few pages of the book and their story carries the plot all the way to the end. This is gay literature with substance; the characters are fleshed out and come to life, as clearly as if they were people you knew. Tommy is fourteen years old when the book starts and Mario is roughly seven years older than him, the golden boy of The Flying Santellis, the only one in the family who can execute the famous "triple" on the trapeze. Mario takes Tommy under his wing and into the family business and teaches him how to fly. Conflict arises when they both must hide their growing affection for each other because of the taboo of homosexual relations in the 1940s, especially in a relationship with an age difference as great as theirs. But unlike much of gay literature, this is not a tragedy. You get your satisfyingly dense plot and sympathetic gay characters, and you get to keep them. No bitter taste in mouth by the end.
My standards for gay novels are usually lower than most novels, both because of the scarcity of the genre and the fact that the author gets brownie points simply for writing a book about gay characters at all. But this book is phenomenal by all standards. I did not have to lower expectations or make allowances for any poor writing or storytelling on the author's part, because there was none. I just sat back and read, and loved.
This is not a short book. Going by word count, it's about as long as The Deathly Hallows. But I devoured this book in only two days, and when I wasn't reading it, my hands itched for it. The word I would use is "ensnaring". The only time I glanced at the page numbers was out of fear for the story ending too soon, rather than tediously counting how many pages I had left to suffer through. There was never a moment that I wasn't thoroughly invested in the plot. The core of this novel is about the love between Tommy Zane and Mario Santelli, and what makes the book good is that the author never lost sight of that purpose. Tommy and Mario are first introduced within the first few pages of the book and their story carries the plot all the way to the end. This is gay literature with substance; the characters are fleshed out and come to life, as clearly as if they were people you knew. Tommy is fourteen years old when the book starts and Mario is roughly seven years older than him, the golden boy of The Flying Santellis, the only one in the family who can execute the famous "triple" on the trapeze. Mario takes Tommy under his wing and into the family business and teaches him how to fly. Conflict arises when they both must hide their growing affection for each other because of the taboo of homosexual relations in the 1940s, especially in a relationship with an age difference as great as theirs. But unlike much of gay literature, this is not a tragedy. You get your satisfyingly dense plot and sympathetic gay characters, and you get to keep them. No bitter taste in mouth by the end.
My standards for gay novels are usually lower than most novels, both because of the scarcity of the genre and the fact that the author gets brownie points simply for writing a book about gay characters at all. But this book is phenomenal by all standards. I did not have to lower expectations or make allowances for any poor writing or storytelling on the author's part, because there was none. I just sat back and read, and loved.
July 19, 2025
Tommy Zane is leading a life that many kids dream of in this depression era America. His Dad is a big cat trainer and he and his dad and mom are making a comfortable living as circus folk. Though Tommy must water the occasional elephant, help in the rigging of the big tents and even fill-in for one of the girls in a flying ring act, every day's an adventure. But recently Tommy is enthralled by the royalty of the circus, the Flying Santellis, the circus's world famous Flying Trapeze attraction. And when it's agreed that he may train as one of the Santelli's, he's over the moon.
But then tragedy strikes. His father and mother are killed in a tragic traffic accident while Tommy is traveling between cities with his new act. But the show must go on and Tommy attempts to fight the guilt of the "what if"s about his family tragedy and even more insidious... his growing interest in star flyer Mario Santelli... the kind of attraction that he's sure is wrong and forbidden.
This is an amazing novel that gives one a peak at a now vanished way of life and at the challenges that coming of age and coming to terms with one's sexual preference in the days before coming out was even a term.
By all means this should be on any gay man's must read list.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🔥 The few actually m/m scenes here feel organic and plot-driven. But true to the historical period, nothing gets very graphic.
Worthwhile: 🪞🪞🪞🪞 Not just a dessert novel, this one does give the reader something to reflect on.
But then tragedy strikes. His father and mother are killed in a tragic traffic accident while Tommy is traveling between cities with his new act. But the show must go on and Tommy attempts to fight the guilt of the "what if"s about his family tragedy and even more insidious... his growing interest in star flyer Mario Santelli... the kind of attraction that he's sure is wrong and forbidden.
This is an amazing novel that gives one a peak at a now vanished way of life and at the challenges that coming of age and coming to terms with one's sexual preference in the days before coming out was even a term.
By all means this should be on any gay man's must read list.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🔥 The few actually m/m scenes here feel organic and plot-driven. But true to the historical period, nothing gets very graphic.
Worthwhile: 🪞🪞🪞🪞 Not just a dessert novel, this one does give the reader something to reflect on.
August 17, 2012
I was recommended to read this as an early entry into LGBT literature. Knowing that I have enjoyed other books by this author, I was looking forward to it. I never dreamed how much I would enjoy this. It's not erotica, most of the sexual escapades are not explicit at all. But the relationship that she develops between the two main characters is human, fallible, and rings true. They are each other's lifelines, and when they fully realize that along with their place in each other's lives as well as the larger family, then things will go well. When they forget that, or turn their back on it, things crash.
If you have any interest in groundbreaking LGBT literature, read this along with The Front Runner, The Charioteer, and The Song of the Loon. These authors wrote mainstream M/M literature when people were barely coming out of the closet and homosexuality was illegal and often led to serious injury or death at the hands of homophobes. In the short list of early M/M literature, The Catch Trap stands at the top of the pile as outstanding in all aspects.
Read on my NookColor.
If you have any interest in groundbreaking LGBT literature, read this along with The Front Runner, The Charioteer, and The Song of the Loon. These authors wrote mainstream M/M literature when people were barely coming out of the closet and homosexuality was illegal and often led to serious injury or death at the hands of homophobes. In the short list of early M/M literature, The Catch Trap stands at the top of the pile as outstanding in all aspects.
Read on my NookColor.
June 26, 2021
The action is set in the 50's and the story is about showing us that your sexual orientation doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you are straight or gay or whatever you are. Your talent, your capacities and your effort determines your worth, not your sexual orientation.
This is a story set in the 50's with gay main characters (well, at least Marco is sure he is gay and could decide his sexual orientation on his own) and shows the struggles of being homosexual then while it also tells us their path as trapeze artists from one of the most notorious and talented families of trapeze artists.
And if I could judge this book solely on that I would have given it 5 stars. Hell, I would have given it a thousand stars if I could. The representation and the struggles are realistic, there's no stereotypes when it comes to their personalities. The descriptions are freaking stunning and full of emotion, making everything sound so alive amd beautiful. It made me want to learn to be a trapeze artist just to try to experience the emotions Bradley talks about, damn it!
With descriptions like that I could have ignored so many things. Plot holes, flat characters, minor flaws. But we don't get any of those and that's the worst. The book had everything to be perfect. But Bradley chose to support something I can't and won't accept.
Allow me to put it in a simple, clear way, so no one has doubts about what I am talking about. This book supports pedophilia. To hell with "it's just an age gap" and "Bradley didn't mean it". Because it's not just an age gap. I couldn't care less about an age gap of 30 years AS LONG AS THEY WERE BOTH ADULTS, MATURE ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES. And Bradley did mean it, otherwise she wouldn't have written a whole book based on a relationship that started when Marco was in his late twenties and Tommy was just 14 years old.
You know the worst about this book? What pained, enraged and got me sick the most? The way Bradley mastered the capacity to make all her characters react in the most realistic way possible to every situation, never forgetting their personalities. And why is that the worst? Because over and over again, she made Tommy react as any 14-years-old boy would react if a son of a bitch like Marco had done to him what Marco did to Tommy. Over and over, she showed us by his reaction that he was not in any way mature enough to go through anything he went through. And yet, while Bradley was writing that, not once did she stop to think and realize that it was WRONG.
Marco had everything to be my favorite character and Bradley completly destroyed that in the minute she made him a pedophile. Over and over again, he abused Tommy. Tommy trusted Marco, idolized him and Marco knew it. And he took advantage of that trust just so he could feel good. And then he would start feeling bad about himself and crying his eyes out, leading Tommy to comfort him when he should be running away as fast as he could.
Bradley could have made them end up together, could have written the whole story without all this. Marco, if he was a decent human being, would have waited until Tommy grew up and decide for himself, without pressure, if he was homosexual or not. And then he could have confessed his love and they could have been together. AS TWO MATURE ADULTS WHO KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING. When Bradley forced things to happen to Tommy when he was so young, she took away any chance of Tommy to be anything else. He never really had a choice, because he would do anything for Marco and what Marco wanted was to bed him. He grew into homosexuality, not because that's what he really wanted, but because he knew that's how he could make Marco happy. I am not saying he couldn't have found out he was gay anyway when he grew up, I am saying he didn't have that chance. Even if Bradley made it sound like he did, truth is, he didn't.
Are you sick already? Then allow me to make things even worst, because I don't feel like hidding anything from you, who may be thinking about reading this book. You know what is worst than a writer who makes abuse and pedophilia sound like love? An author who does that and then even vilanized every person who was worried with Tommy, even though they had every reason in the world to do so.
But why stop with one single case of pedophilia? Why not two and then make the second become a serious case of domestic abuse? Because one case of pedophilia wasn't enough to ruin the whole story that could have been perfect. Stella's relationship started when she was as young as Tommy and she ended up marrying the bastard she dated after he destroyed any chance the poor girl had to have children as she clearly wanted. The worst part? NO ONE FUCKING CARED. Not even Bradley (which, honestly, shouldn't have been a surprise after everything she did to Tommy), who decided that a matter this serious wasn't worth more than a few lines, a mere thought and a few words.
You have no idea how much I wanted Bradley to have done things the right way. No pedophilia, no domestic abuse. Or, if she really felt like adding them to the story, then I wish she had handled them right. Because if only she had done that, I could recommed this book to everyone as one of the best books with gay characters as protagonists. A book that supports the homosexual relationships and defends them, wanting everyone to see there's nothing wrong with being gay, just like there's nothing wrong with being straight.
But because of the pedophilia issue, that's not what this book is about. Even if Bradley pretends otherwise, he made Marco a villain, made Tommy a victim and therefore showed homosexuality in an unfavorable light that has nothing to do with the reality.
Being straight, homosexual, asexual, bi or having any other sexual orientation shouldn't matter. It's your life, your choice and you should be able to choose whatever makes you happy. And this book could have been a perfect choice to make anyone understand that. Instead, Bradley chose to support pedophilia and abuse and destroyed the whole book, turning the main relationship into something disgunsting and wrong that I will not support.
SCORE: 1.00 out of 5.00 stars
You can also find this review on my blog
This is a story set in the 50's with gay main characters (well, at least Marco is sure he is gay and could decide his sexual orientation on his own) and shows the struggles of being homosexual then while it also tells us their path as trapeze artists from one of the most notorious and talented families of trapeze artists.
And if I could judge this book solely on that I would have given it 5 stars. Hell, I would have given it a thousand stars if I could. The representation and the struggles are realistic, there's no stereotypes when it comes to their personalities. The descriptions are freaking stunning and full of emotion, making everything sound so alive amd beautiful. It made me want to learn to be a trapeze artist just to try to experience the emotions Bradley talks about, damn it!
With descriptions like that I could have ignored so many things. Plot holes, flat characters, minor flaws. But we don't get any of those and that's the worst. The book had everything to be perfect. But Bradley chose to support something I can't and won't accept.
Allow me to put it in a simple, clear way, so no one has doubts about what I am talking about. This book supports pedophilia. To hell with "it's just an age gap" and "Bradley didn't mean it". Because it's not just an age gap. I couldn't care less about an age gap of 30 years AS LONG AS THEY WERE BOTH ADULTS, MATURE ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES. And Bradley did mean it, otherwise she wouldn't have written a whole book based on a relationship that started when Marco was in his late twenties and Tommy was just 14 years old.
You know the worst about this book? What pained, enraged and got me sick the most? The way Bradley mastered the capacity to make all her characters react in the most realistic way possible to every situation, never forgetting their personalities. And why is that the worst? Because over and over again, she made Tommy react as any 14-years-old boy would react if a son of a bitch like Marco had done to him what Marco did to Tommy. Over and over, she showed us by his reaction that he was not in any way mature enough to go through anything he went through. And yet, while Bradley was writing that, not once did she stop to think and realize that it was WRONG.
Marco had everything to be my favorite character and Bradley completly destroyed that in the minute she made him a pedophile. Over and over again, he abused Tommy. Tommy trusted Marco, idolized him and Marco knew it. And he took advantage of that trust just so he could feel good. And then he would start feeling bad about himself and crying his eyes out, leading Tommy to comfort him when he should be running away as fast as he could.
Bradley could have made them end up together, could have written the whole story without all this. Marco, if he was a decent human being, would have waited until Tommy grew up and decide for himself, without pressure, if he was homosexual or not. And then he could have confessed his love and they could have been together. AS TWO MATURE ADULTS WHO KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING. When Bradley forced things to happen to Tommy when he was so young, she took away any chance of Tommy to be anything else. He never really had a choice, because he would do anything for Marco and what Marco wanted was to bed him. He grew into homosexuality, not because that's what he really wanted, but because he knew that's how he could make Marco happy. I am not saying he couldn't have found out he was gay anyway when he grew up, I am saying he didn't have that chance. Even if Bradley made it sound like he did, truth is, he didn't.
Are you sick already? Then allow me to make things even worst, because I don't feel like hidding anything from you, who may be thinking about reading this book. You know what is worst than a writer who makes abuse and pedophilia sound like love? An author who does that and then even vilanized every person who was worried with Tommy, even though they had every reason in the world to do so.
But why stop with one single case of pedophilia? Why not two and then make the second become a serious case of domestic abuse? Because one case of pedophilia wasn't enough to ruin the whole story that could have been perfect. Stella's relationship started when she was as young as Tommy and she ended up marrying the bastard she dated after he destroyed any chance the poor girl had to have children as she clearly wanted. The worst part? NO ONE FUCKING CARED. Not even Bradley (which, honestly, shouldn't have been a surprise after everything she did to Tommy), who decided that a matter this serious wasn't worth more than a few lines, a mere thought and a few words.
You have no idea how much I wanted Bradley to have done things the right way. No pedophilia, no domestic abuse. Or, if she really felt like adding them to the story, then I wish she had handled them right. Because if only she had done that, I could recommed this book to everyone as one of the best books with gay characters as protagonists. A book that supports the homosexual relationships and defends them, wanting everyone to see there's nothing wrong with being gay, just like there's nothing wrong with being straight.
But because of the pedophilia issue, that's not what this book is about. Even if Bradley pretends otherwise, he made Marco a villain, made Tommy a victim and therefore showed homosexuality in an unfavorable light that has nothing to do with the reality.
Being straight, homosexual, asexual, bi or having any other sexual orientation shouldn't matter. It's your life, your choice and you should be able to choose whatever makes you happy. And this book could have been a perfect choice to make anyone understand that. Instead, Bradley chose to support pedophilia and abuse and destroyed the whole book, turning the main relationship into something disgunsting and wrong that I will not support.
SCORE: 1.00 out of 5.00 stars
You can also find this review on my blog
February 2, 2012
Absolutely captivating. This book had me completely immersed in this fascinating world of circus performers. I've actually woken up the past two mornings realizing that I had just been dreaming about these characters; that's how completely absorbed I have become in this story. These two men and the story of their love and dedication to each other and to their art has deeply moved me. There were at least three different points in the story where I was in tears because of the emotional intensity. These boys do not often verbally express their feelings towards one another, but when they do, my God, it hits you. There were also plenty of times I held my breath in almost painful anticipation and fear of what would happen next, particularly going into the last chapter. In the end, I was smiling after turning that last page.
This book is high on my list of favorites.
This book is high on my list of favorites.
February 14, 2016
TERRIBLE.
Ok so I'm a gay man and knew MZB had written some gay stuff and decided to check it out. I know times were different then, but Tommy was only 14 when the two main characters initiate their relationship physically. If he had been a girl, I doubt this book would have gone very far. Overly long. Repetitive arguments between family members. NO JUICY BITS. just wasn't worth almost SEVEN HUNDRED PAGES.
And after I learned what Mrs. Bradley's daughter has alleged about the author and her father, I've decided to recycle my copy rather than give it to my local gay youth center. Yes. That's how much I do NOT like this book.
Ok so I'm a gay man and knew MZB had written some gay stuff and decided to check it out. I know times were different then, but Tommy was only 14 when the two main characters initiate their relationship physically. If he had been a girl, I doubt this book would have gone very far. Overly long. Repetitive arguments between family members. NO JUICY BITS. just wasn't worth almost SEVEN HUNDRED PAGES.
And after I learned what Mrs. Bradley's daughter has alleged about the author and her father, I've decided to recycle my copy rather than give it to my local gay youth center. Yes. That's how much I do NOT like this book.
January 19, 2015
I feel pretty conflicted about this book. I really enjoyed the setting and it was a quick read despite it's length.
The sexual dynamics creeped me out, though. The main romance starts when one character is fifteen and the other is well into his twenties. Their relationship is abusive and cringe worthy the whole book.
The sexual dynamics creeped me out, though. The main romance starts when one character is fifteen and the other is well into his twenties. Their relationship is abusive and cringe worthy the whole book.
December 28, 2017
2 stars for the quality of writing but really? I do recognize that this book was written quite a while ago but the way queer people are portrayed in this is so inaccurate and offensive that I can’t begin to look past it. Also: pedophilia? Really?
May 8, 2010
The Catch Trap was an incredibly moving story and I really liked it much. Below are a few of my random thoughts. For a far more insightful analysis I suggest you check out Teddy Pig’s review, he’s the reason I spent considerable time ringing 2nd hand book shops around the country trying to get hold of it! Which is what good reviews do, they should illustrate that the novel has touched someone in some way and give you, the reader, some impetus to whip out your much abused credit card.
So, in short, 2 guys meet while working in the circus. Tommy is younger, considerably so at the beginning, and Mario is older, in years anyway (his emotional maturity left something to be desired at times!) They meet, they eventually become lovers and so on. But the story doesn’t just hook you in with longing looks and the faint hint of manlove moments, it’s also an authentic accounts of circus life that makes your remember why, at age 10 and spandex was still an option, you were ready to jump out the window in the night and join a troupe of acrobats.
In other reviews I’ve read there are some issues about the age gap when Mario and Tommy start fooling around. I didn’t find it objectionable, mainly because it was consensual and there was a authentic ring to it. I’m sure you could be all hurumph about it, but to be honest aren’t most teens that age fooling around doing something? I dunno. I think we as adults often see sex as an action loaded with power, connotations, consequences blah blah. I seem to remember that kind of thing not really being at the forefront of my mind at that age, nor were they guiding my actions either. So yeah, I thought it was pretty hot and heavy, with a realistic and accessible note that struck a chord.
Thematically there is a lot going on in this big ass book. It is lengthy and at times long winded. There are lovely bits of teen angst, Mario periodically throws himself on the cross and Tommy has these little pockets of youthful insight that are just delicious. There’s the sweet ache of a teenager leaving home, becoming autonomous and loads of courage too. I thought Tommy’s obvious emotional attachment not only to Mario, but to the Santelli family was nicely done. The theme of feeling disconnected and without community is also explored. The author even managed to have a bit of a go at inter generation family dynamics. You name it, this book’s got it. It works for the most part, despite it being a bit of a tome and that the occasional WTF moment —> see Tommy’s parents.
There were defnitely issues in the book and it’s not always perfect, but liked it anyway. Beautiful, erotic, sad, long, romantic and just really damn cool. If you can get a copy, give it a crack and read TP’s review, just cause its great.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2010/05/...
So, in short, 2 guys meet while working in the circus. Tommy is younger, considerably so at the beginning, and Mario is older, in years anyway (his emotional maturity left something to be desired at times!) They meet, they eventually become lovers and so on. But the story doesn’t just hook you in with longing looks and the faint hint of manlove moments, it’s also an authentic accounts of circus life that makes your remember why, at age 10 and spandex was still an option, you were ready to jump out the window in the night and join a troupe of acrobats.
In other reviews I’ve read there are some issues about the age gap when Mario and Tommy start fooling around. I didn’t find it objectionable, mainly because it was consensual and there was a authentic ring to it. I’m sure you could be all hurumph about it, but to be honest aren’t most teens that age fooling around doing something? I dunno. I think we as adults often see sex as an action loaded with power, connotations, consequences blah blah. I seem to remember that kind of thing not really being at the forefront of my mind at that age, nor were they guiding my actions either. So yeah, I thought it was pretty hot and heavy, with a realistic and accessible note that struck a chord.
Thematically there is a lot going on in this big ass book. It is lengthy and at times long winded. There are lovely bits of teen angst, Mario periodically throws himself on the cross and Tommy has these little pockets of youthful insight that are just delicious. There’s the sweet ache of a teenager leaving home, becoming autonomous and loads of courage too. I thought Tommy’s obvious emotional attachment not only to Mario, but to the Santelli family was nicely done. The theme of feeling disconnected and without community is also explored. The author even managed to have a bit of a go at inter generation family dynamics. You name it, this book’s got it. It works for the most part, despite it being a bit of a tome and that the occasional WTF moment —> see Tommy’s parents.
There were defnitely issues in the book and it’s not always perfect, but liked it anyway. Beautiful, erotic, sad, long, romantic and just really damn cool. If you can get a copy, give it a crack and read TP’s review, just cause its great.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2010/05/...
December 20, 2009
I love this book. It's a wonderful, heart-wrenching story about a pair of circus trapeze artists who fall in love. The problem is they are both men, and it's the forties. Things do not go smoothly. It's a riveting story and a departure for Bradley, who wrote mostly sci-fi. The characters are achingly real.
There's so much here, both about aerialists, their process and art, and about pre-Stonewall gay men, that one forgives the occasionally purple prose, the claustrophobic angst, and only sees the glory and the heartbreak. One becomes caught up in the story that leads, inevitably, to Stonewall (though the book ends well before that) and the gains we've made thus far.
Here's a quote from near the end of the book:
"But I mind," Bart said savagely. "I'd like to see a world where I could have my picture taken, say, with Tommy on my lap if I want to. For every woman who got upset because I wasn't, shall we say, available for her romantic daydreams, there's be some young kid reading the papers and going to movies, and he'd be able to stop hating himself and say, 'Okay Bart Reeder is queer, and he's happy and successful, and he's getting along okay, so maybe I don't have to go out and hang myself after all.' And the suicide rate would go down, and everybody would be happy"
There's so much here, both about aerialists, their process and art, and about pre-Stonewall gay men, that one forgives the occasionally purple prose, the claustrophobic angst, and only sees the glory and the heartbreak. One becomes caught up in the story that leads, inevitably, to Stonewall (though the book ends well before that) and the gains we've made thus far.
Here's a quote from near the end of the book:
"But I mind," Bart said savagely. "I'd like to see a world where I could have my picture taken, say, with Tommy on my lap if I want to. For every woman who got upset because I wasn't, shall we say, available for her romantic daydreams, there's be some young kid reading the papers and going to movies, and he'd be able to stop hating himself and say, 'Okay Bart Reeder is queer, and he's happy and successful, and he's getting along okay, so maybe I don't have to go out and hang myself after all.' And the suicide rate would go down, and everybody would be happy"
June 4, 2011
I have very fond memory of this one. I must have been around 13 when I checked this out of the library, during my big Marion Zimmer Bradley period, and I remember not having a clue what this was about when I started reading this. Well, I knew it was about a circus, but apart from that.. I also remember being unable to stop reading, and I skipped church class (in preparation for my confirmation) so I could read in my room, sitting on the floor, leaning against the heater while it was raining outside. I read this book many times when I was a teenager - I must have been the only one checking it out, however, because at some point I found the book in the sales bin of our library. But that was my win!
And I must say, even after all these years, this still holds up. It's funny to see how many "slash clichés" there are in there, but they very probably became clichés after this book was written, so. It's still a touching love story, despite the occasional darkness and fucked-up-ness. This was definitely one of the books that "formed" me, and it will always be a part of my life because of that.
And I must say, even after all these years, this still holds up. It's funny to see how many "slash clichés" there are in there, but they very probably became clichés after this book was written, so. It's still a touching love story, despite the occasional darkness and fucked-up-ness. This was definitely one of the books that "formed" me, and it will always be a part of my life because of that.
December 27, 2015
I first heard of this through a Goodreads recommendation when I joined up. It seemed right up my street plot-wise, was written by the author of the wonderful Mists Of Avalon, and so I searched out a second-hand copy as it is currently out of print in the UK.
I did enjoy this circus based story of trapeze artists Matt and Tommy, although I had a few reservations about the way they treated each other, and other aspects of the story which sat a bit uncomfortably with me. However, as a historical novel it is probably somewhat more accurate in attitudes than a lot of more romantic fiction that is around now. There is also (I'm guessing) a reference to Burt Lancaster in the character of Bart Reeder who appears later on in the novel.
Having read a few other reviews on the book I can see that it somewhat polarizes readers. I have therefore stuck myself a bit on the fence with 3 stars! Enjoyable, and interesting, but not perfect.
I did enjoy this circus based story of trapeze artists Matt and Tommy, although I had a few reservations about the way they treated each other, and other aspects of the story which sat a bit uncomfortably with me. However, as a historical novel it is probably somewhat more accurate in attitudes than a lot of more romantic fiction that is around now. There is also (I'm guessing) a reference to Burt Lancaster in the character of Bart Reeder who appears later on in the novel.
Having read a few other reviews on the book I can see that it somewhat polarizes readers. I have therefore stuck myself a bit on the fence with 3 stars! Enjoyable, and interesting, but not perfect.
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