The swan gondola by timothy schaffert 2015, paperback for. The swan gondola is an interesting story that left me confused as to how i feel about it all. Melodrama was at the heart of so much entertainment at the time. At the start of the swan gondola, timothy schafferts enchanting new historical novel, two elderly spinster sisters discover a man in their front yard who has fallen from the sky or from a hot air balloon, at least. The swan gondola timothy schaffert, 2014 penguin group usa 464 pp. Others, however, may find the plot frustratingly thin and the book lacking in enchantment. A ventriloquist and actress pursue a roughandtumble romance in the shadow of the 1898 omaha worlds fair. Seven strange but true tales about timothy schafferts the. The swan gondola is timothy schafferts fifth novel and was published in february 2014. The coffins of little hope, 2011, as he accidentally crashes a hot air balloon into the home of two aging sisters. The man in question is ferret skerritt, a ventriloquist turned starcrossed lover with an incredible tale to tell. The swan gondola the free library of philadelphia overdrive. Gondolas on the swan is now permanently based in perths elizabeth quay offering a unique way to celebrate.
Jami attenberg, new york timesbestselling author of the middlesteins. Timothy schaffert from the critically acclaimed author of the coffins of little hope, a new novel depicting a tragic love story set amid the fanciful inventions, gothic amusements, spiritualists, flimflam men, and. But sailing on the swan gondola, in a manmade lagoon during the peak of summers heat and humidity, ferret somehow manages to win the affections of the reluctant cecily and her illegitimate daughter, doxie. Book your gondola cruise black swan gondola company. Timothy schaffert has chosen the 1898 worlds fair in omaha as the backdrop for his new novel, the swan gondola, a highly atmospheric entertainment, full of plot twists, historical flavor. If you are looking for a beautiful love story entwined with enticing prose and historical accuracy, this is the novel for you. The swan gondola by timothy schaffert overdrive rakuten. Set in 1898 at the omaha worlds fair, the swan gondola clearly. The swan gondola timothy schaffert for all lovers of water for elephants and the night circus, a lush, enchanting novel set amid the gothic amusements, scandalous burlesques, and flimflam men of the 1898 omaha worlds fair.
The swan gondola book central rappahannock regional. A novel and millions of other books are available for. The novel is a whirlwind of passion, truly evoking spectacle in history with a natural theatricality that captures the period he is portraying on paper. But a moonlit ride on the swan gondola, a boat on the lagoon of the new white city, changes everything, and the fairs magic begins to take its effect.
Timothy schafferts latest novel, the swan gondola, is a rollicking adventure set during the omaha worlds fair of 1898, and starring a romantic and rapscallion cast of vaudevillians, actresses, snake oil salesman, and all around neerdowells. Ferret skerritt one day lands on top of the house of two elderly sisters living in the middle of nowhere, covering the house with the hot air balloon he was flying in. Cathy marie buchanan, bestselling author of the painted girls every page of the swan gondola shimmers with exquisite detail. Its an entertaining and thoroughly researched book, particularly suitable for americana buffs who want a taste of life in a western frontier town struggling to become a modern city at the turn of the century. The swan gondola is a highly imaginative, vividly told tale of whimsy, hucksters, soothsayers, ghosts and, most of all, starcrossed lovers. The swan gondolas romance and clever twists will keep many readers entertained. In his fifth book, timothy schaffert has crafted one of the best novels youll read all. World expositions have long provided evocative settings for literary fare, from e.
The swan gondola king county library system overdrive. Timothy schafferts latest novel, the swan gondola, is a rollicking. A lush and thrilling romantic fable about two lovers set agains. Nov, 2014 the swan gondola is timothy schafferts fifth novel and was published in february 2014. Timothy schaffert has brought a whole universe to life. Romance and illusion in the swan gondola popmatters. Readers meet ferret skerritt, narrator of the second novel by schaffert creative writing and literatureuniv. Louis post dispatch the swan gondola is loud and colorful and largerthanlife. But sailing on the swan gondola, in a manmade lagoon during the peak of summers heat and humidity, ferret somehow manages to win the affections.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In places the novel reads faintly as a prequel to baums book, starting with. Nobody knows where he came from or what his story is and hes not inclined to open up about it. At times gently funny, at times melodramatic, the swan gondola. The latest from schaffert the coffins of little hope is a love story set during the 1898 omaha worlds fair. A new novel depicting a tragic love story set amid the fanciful inventions, gothic amusements, spiritualists, flimflam men, and other crooked characters who populated the 1898 omaha worlds fairprovided by publisher. The swan gondola, by timothy schaffert offering an expertly conjured atmosphere complete with soothsayers, cureall tonics, technological gadgetry, and daring highwire acts, schafferts whimsical epic of illusion and reality at the 1898 omaha worlds fair promises and delivers grand entertainment. A novel and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The swan gondola hardcover tattered cover book store.
In his fifth book, timothy schaffert has crafted one of the best novels youll read all year. Author interview timothy schaffert, author of the swan gondola. Our goal is to spread amore love one cruise at a time. From the critically acclaimed author of the coffins of little hope, the swan gondola is a transporting read, reminiscent of. Subscribe to the oprahs book club newsletter sign up for the oprahs book club newsletter get more stories like. Timothy schaffert this is a lush and thrilling romantic fable about two lovers set against the scandalous burlesques, midnight seances, and aerial ballets of the 1898 omaha worlds fair. Like most of the books characters, the swan gondola, with its dirty facade and chipped paint, is shabby and worn. And lost again, and misplaced, and stolen, and tricked into. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Gondola cruises by black swan gondola rides in san diego. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the swan gondola.
The swan gondola timothy schaffert love your library. A lush and thrilling romantic fable about two lovers set against the scandalous burlesques, midnight seances, and aerial ballets of the 1898 omaha worlds fair. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. First, it referenced one of my favorite childhood stories in a subtle, tasteful, and. Timothy schaffert has chosen the 1898 worlds fair in omaha as the backdrop for his new novel, the swan gondola, a highly atmospheric entertainment, full of plot twists, historical flavor and. Seven strange but true tales about timothy schafferts the swan. The swan gondola ebook omaha public library bibliocommons.
A new novel depicting a tragic love story set amid the fanciful inventions, gothic amusements, spiritualists, flimflam men, and other crooked characters who populated the 1898 omaha worlds fair provided by publisher. The swan gondola ebook by timothy schaffert rakuten kobo. On the eve of the 1898 omaha worlds fair, ferret skerritt, ventriloquist by trade, con man by birth, isnt quite sure how it will change. Its not often that i pick up a book that ends up completely surprising me by the time the end comes around.
Set during the 1898 omaha worlds fair, this novel recreates the few months that nebraska served as an international capital, complete with lavish temporary palaces and a cast of cynical hucksters, pickpockets and performers who earn their living on the midway. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. The story is told by the main character bartholomew ferret skerritt, who crash lands in a hot air balloon on top of a farm house belonging to the old sisters egan emmaline and hester. The swan gondola book omaha public library bibliocommons. On the eve of the 1898 omaha worlds fair, ferret skerritt, ventriloquist by trade, con man by birth, isnt quite sure how it will change him or his city. From the critically acclaimed author of the coffins of little hope, the swan gondola is a transporting read, reminiscent of water for elephants or the night circus. Apr 02, 2015 the swan gondola timothy schaffert for all lovers of water for elephants and the night circus, a lush, enchanting novel set amid the gothic amusements, scandalous burlesques, and flimflam men of the 1898 omaha worlds fair. For a book thats unabashedly romantic, the swan gondola never becomes schmaltzy or melodramatic.
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