Review of "The Aerialist" by Richard Schmitt

We meet a man named Gary who takes odd jobs when he feels like it, and who finds himself in Venice, Florida where the circus has it winter-quarters. He goes to work for the circus on a whim. Starting at the bottom of the rung as a "bullhand" who sweeps up behind the elephants Gary moves from job to job within the circus. As he learns each new job and moves to new living cars on the train, we learn more about a traveling circus and the people who live by the thrills and the flourishes of the show. Gary loves the life, the train and almost every job he learns. One day he discovers the high wire, and knows that this is where his future lies. Gary moves through the training and the injuries to become a major star of the high wire.

The plot sounds trite when it is put in print here, but trust me, this author has written a beautiful story of a life that will enchant you all the way. Schmitt knows his circus lore very well. He introduces us into the tents with a hypnotic series of words and characters that we all can enjoy.