Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #624433 in Books
• Published on: 1987-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 869 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Jennings (Aztec, The Journeyer) spent considerable time accompanying modern circuses to write this long historical novel that begins wth one conflict on the American continentthe Civil Warand ends vividly with another, in Europethe Franco-Prussian War. After the Confederate Army lays down its weapons at Appomattox two ex-rebel soldiers join up with the ragtag Florilegium circus making its way through the back towns of war-torn Virginia. The circus's leader, an Alsatian named Florian, tours with the unusual international players and their seedy animals. Desiring grand success, they cross the sea to rival the big tops of Europe, and journey from Italy, through the Germanic countries, over to Russia and finally to France. Along the way, performers join and leave, or are killed through dangerous stunts and misfortunes; amorous affairs among the multinational circus people begin and, often tragically, end; the royalty of Europe shares confidences with the entertainers; and Florilegium is transformed from small-town American carnival to major European circus. Spangle is a novel about a spectacle, but the reader's hope that it will acquire momentum is not quite fulfilledat least until its stirring look at the invaded France of 1870. Jennings does provide intriguing circus lore, and he retells 19th century social history as if it were unfolding news. Those who value solid historical research and do not require more than minor drama will find this hefty novel well worth the read. 100,000 first printing; Literary Guild main selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Jennings ( Aztec, The Journeyer ) intended this to be the definitive novel of the big top. It spans six years, and ranges from the Virginia countryside in the weeks following Appomattox through Central Europe and across the Russian steppes to Paris during the Seige and Commune. Exotic locations are a Jennings trademark: so too is graphic violence. There is an abundance of it here. There's plenty of sex, too, including lesbianism and pederasty. And, most importantly, there's a fascinating wealth of circus lore. Less fascinating is the big cast of characters, all rather sketchily drawn. Probably not the definitive circus novel, but surely a satisfying entertainment. Literary Guild main selection.. Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

International Circus
Gary Jennings has carved out a niche for himself in modern fiction - long, intricately plotted novels based around a single character in a little known historical area. Great reads, full of love and violence, colourful and exciting. And educational - history comes alive in his books, virtually bursting out of the page to take you by the throat. Or the heart.

In Spangle he has outdone himself. This is my favourite of all his books, and perhaps the most poignant. We follow Zachary Edge, a colonel riding away from Appomattox, from his chance meeting with the down at heel circusman Florian through post Civil War America across the Atlantic to Europe, all the way to Moscow and back, ending in the beseiged Paris of the Franco-Prussian War.

Along the way Florian's circus grows and prospers, until he performs before the very crowned heads of Europe. Colonel Edge learns the circus trade, all its tricks and traditions, and we learn along with him. It is a road story of course, as all circus stories must be, but this one is longer than most, and travels a more colourful, exciting road than the circus itself.

It is a grand entertainment from start to finish, at every page revealing the fruits of Gary Jennings' research into the history of the circus.

And in these latter days, where the animals are mostly gone, and circuses are fewer than they were, it is a journey back to freeer, happier days.

One of my personal favourites, as much for the wealth of detail as for the story.

Gary Jennings at his best - don't plan to get much sleep
I only picked up this book because of the author. The subject matter didn't look at all interesting to me. I was wrong, as I was hooked from the first page. Jennings' ability to weave a convoluted thread against a historical background shines here. As the circus travels around, the members interact with each other and their surroundings. This makes for a great history lesson, as well as an in-depth study of the circus life. I learned more than I ever cared to about European history or the circus, and enjoyed every minute of it. Aside from entertaining me greatly, this book affected me deeply. Usually I am sad when I come to the end of a great book because that means a great read is over. In this case the characters were made so real, I was also sad to leave them, to the point of getting a little teary-eyed. Jennings' historical and cultural accuracy is "spot on" as they say. Students of foreign languages will notice the pains Jennings took to be this accurate. The reason I rated this book a nine and not a ten is because of the "adult content". Maybe he does this to appeal to an even wider readership. I felt that there was just a bit too much gratuitous sex. Some readers might think this is a good thing though. Finally let me say that because of this book, I cannot wait until the circus comes to town! Also, I became very interested in one of the countries that the circus travels through (Hungary), to the point of reading up on it, and studying the language. Pretty good for a book of fiction to have such an effect, don't you think?

My God, What A Journey!
The best thing about Jennings' work is that you become smarter as you read. I learn so many things, I find myself spouting them in casual conversation. I've read all three books so many times that the covers are gone and the books are mangled. There's always a Spangle novel lying open in my house. You MUST NOT miss this trilogy, nor should you miss Aztec. I've been all over the world, learned different languages and truly lived in my mind because of this brilliant man. Enjoy and Learn!