The Freaks At Table
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Freak Show
Author: Robert Bogdan
language: en
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Release Date: 2014-12-10
This cultural history of the travelling freak show in America chronicles the rise and fall of the industry as attitudes about disability evolved. From 1840 until 1940, hundreds of freak shows crisscrossed the United States, from the smallest towns to the largest cities, exhibiting their casts of dwarfs, giants, Siamese twins, bearded ladies, savages, snake charmers, fire eaters, and other oddities. By today’s standards such displays would be considered cruel and exploitative—the pornography of disability. Yet for one hundred years the freak show was widely accepted as one of America’s most popular forms of entertainment. Robert Bogdan’s fascinating social history brings to life the world of the freak show and explores the culture that nurtured and, later, abandoned it. In uncovering this neglected chapter of show business, he describes in detail the flimflam artistry behind the shows, the promoters and the audiences, and the gradual evolution of public opinion from awe to embarrassment. Freaks were not born, Bogdan reveals; they were manufactured by the amusement world, usually with the active participation of the freaks themselves. Many of the "human curiosities" found fame and fortune, until the ascent of professional medicine transformed them from marvels into pathological specimens.
The Freaks of Mayfair
E. F. Benson's "The Freaks of Mayfair" presents a biting satire of early 20th-century English society, encapsulated within the vibrant and often absurd world of London's elite. Through a deft combination of sharp wit and keen social commentary, Benson critiques the frivolities and eccentricities of the wealthy, immersing readers in a narrative punctuated by memorable characters that embody the era's peculiarities. The literary style is characterized by its dialogue-rich prose and vivid descriptions, which breathe life into the Mayfair setting, effectively capturing the zeitgeist of an age marked by both opulence and superficiality. Benson, an accomplished author and a notable figure in the Bloomsbury Group, drew upon his own experiences within the social circles of England'Äôs upper class to craft this engaging tale. His insights into human nature and societal behaviors, influenced by his keen observations and diverse literary explorations, allowed him to create a narrative that resonated with both contemporaneous audiences and modern readers alike. As a member of a prominent writing family, his affinity for the arts and social commentary emerged early in his career, shaping his distinctive voice. "The Freaks of Mayfair" is an essential read for anyone fascinated by social dynamics, satire, and the intricacies of human behavior. Benson'Äôs unique lens allows readers to not only laugh at the absurdities of his characters but to also reflect on the broader themes of identity and belonging. This engaging narrative remains relevant today, inviting new readers to explore the eccentricities that persist within contemporary society.
Two Novellas and a Short Story
Author: Jeremy L Hunter
language: en
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing
Release Date: 2024-10-07
Two Novellas and a Short Story (Cartoonis Logicus) is a collection of satirical stories that are in turn whimsical, depraved, humorous, horrifying, political, anti-political, all-too-human, and startlingly alien. The focus is on mimicking assumptions about important things ranging from politics to the several thousand-year-old question of how one should live one’s life (or if one should) and adding surprising elements of nonsense in order to subvert our most common intuitions about these subjects. The author’s deadpan delivery leaves readers unsure whether they’re reading a cartoon or living in one.