Books like HBO-series Carnivale?
March 7, 2005 1:26 PM Subscribe
I've been enjoying the first season of HBO series Carnivàle on DVD, and I'm interested in finding some related fiction. Can anyone recommend books with similar genre/setting/themes?
I only saw a few episodes so I may be way off base but it reminds me a little of Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. Of course, I haven't read that since middle school so I may be misremembering that also.
posted by spynotebook at 1:38 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by spynotebook at 1:38 PM on March 7, 2005
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn A very enjoyable read, as I remember, and I would not be suprised if it was partially an inspiration for Carnivale.
posted by jennyjenny at 1:48 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by jennyjenny at 1:48 PM on March 7, 2005
Geek Love by Katharine Dunn, for that freak show vibe
American Gods by Neil Gaiman, for that end-of-the-world freaky deity vibe
Waking The Moon and Black Light by Elizabeth Hand, for that end-of-the-world freaky deity vibe mixed with the ancient religious conspiracy vibe
Um...I know I have more, because this whole thing is something I groove on intensely, but I just can't remember them right now.
posted by Katemonkey at 1:51 PM on March 7, 2005
American Gods by Neil Gaiman, for that end-of-the-world freaky deity vibe
Waking The Moon and Black Light by Elizabeth Hand, for that end-of-the-world freaky deity vibe mixed with the ancient religious conspiracy vibe
Um...I know I have more, because this whole thing is something I groove on intensely, but I just can't remember them right now.
posted by Katemonkey at 1:51 PM on March 7, 2005
I was going to suggest Geek Love, but I see I'm not alone. Excellent book which is touching but disturbing.
posted by nprigoda at 1:56 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by nprigoda at 1:56 PM on March 7, 2005
Another for Geek Love.
posted by marxchivist at 2:03 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by marxchivist at 2:03 PM on March 7, 2005
I'd recommend three books off the top of my head: Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus, Isabelle Allende's The Infinite Plan and Charles Finney's The Circus of Dr. Lao. However, I must add that I know nothing about the TV show other than having seen the previews and the title, but based on what others have said, I bet these will suit you. Quirkier books include Fowler's The Magus and Stephen Millhauser's The King in the Tree and The Knife Thrower and Other Stories. Also, now that I'm thinking about it John Crowley's Aegypt [thematically related, but no circus, a gypsy or two] and possibly Allan Kurzweil's book A Case of Curiosities.
posted by jessamyn at 2:09 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by jessamyn at 2:09 PM on March 7, 2005
Almost anything by Tim Powers, but I particularly liked Declare, which rewrites certain portions of Cold War history with supernatural underpinnings. The major events that happen in Declare really happened, and many of the characters are real too; it's just that, in Powers's universe, they happened for different reasons.
posted by kindall at 2:18 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by kindall at 2:18 PM on March 7, 2005
I was going to mention Geek Love and I've never even watched Carnivale!
posted by matildaben at 2:39 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by matildaben at 2:39 PM on March 7, 2005
Ooh, good call Kindall. I much prefer "Last Call" among Powers' work. It does have sort of the same dreamy quality as Carnivale.
My enjoyment of "Declare" was probably inhibited by the fact that I had no idea Kim Philby was a real guy.
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on March 7, 2005
My enjoyment of "Declare" was probably inhibited by the fact that I had no idea Kim Philby was a real guy.
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on March 7, 2005
Palahniuk's "Survivor" somehow fits the bill, though I can't quite figure out why.
Another recommendation for Geek Love.
posted by mudpuppie at 4:05 PM on March 7, 2005
Another recommendation for Geek Love.
posted by mudpuppie at 4:05 PM on March 7, 2005
Maybe Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham.
posted by misterioso at 4:22 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by misterioso at 4:22 PM on March 7, 2005
I haven't watched Carnivale yet (though I just bought the box set), however, from if you're looking for good true carnival stories, check out "Eyeing the Flash" or "Memoirs of a Sword Swallower." The first is about a carnie game operator, the other is about sideshows, both are good reads.
posted by drezdn at 4:34 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by drezdn at 4:34 PM on March 7, 2005
The Man in the Tree by Damon Knight? Also, I second Carter's Nights at the Circus.
posted by Ritchie at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by Ritchie at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2005
Some of the writers for Carnivale fully admit swiping from Tim Powers (Last Call and Drawing of the Dark, mainly) for some of the show's themes. Just pick up anything by him and you'll be happy. Being well versed in Powers lore has allowed me to yell "Told You So!" and many a group Carnivale viewing. Hand in hand with Powers is De Lint, though my knowledge of his work is sparse at best.
F. Paul Wilson has a bunch of books that are of the Forces of Light vs Forces of Dark vein. They're pulpier than Carnivale but still worthwhile (one, All The Rage even involves a canival!).
Foucault's Pendulum is a good "Secret History with mysical underpinnings" type book. Christopher Priest's The Prestige is a good period mystic piece (more weird science than magic, tho).
Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has some similar themes as Carnivale and are worthwhile on their own to boot.
Chaosium put out a bunch of Lovecraftian short stories, some of which reminded me verily of the show. Look for the earlier stuff.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2005 [1 favorite]
F. Paul Wilson has a bunch of books that are of the Forces of Light vs Forces of Dark vein. They're pulpier than Carnivale but still worthwhile (one, All The Rage even involves a canival!).
Foucault's Pendulum is a good "Secret History with mysical underpinnings" type book. Christopher Priest's The Prestige is a good period mystic piece (more weird science than magic, tho).
Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has some similar themes as Carnivale and are worthwhile on their own to boot.
Chaosium put out a bunch of Lovecraftian short stories, some of which reminded me verily of the show. Look for the earlier stuff.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2005 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: This is great everybody! All these suggestions will keep me busy for quite awhile.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:59 PM on March 7, 2005
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:59 PM on March 7, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by drobot at 1:38 PM on March 7, 2005