The Aerialist

A high-wire act in more ways than one, this exhilarating novel by first-timer Schmitt tells the story of a restless young drifter who joins the circus and falls under its tarnished spell. Starting out as an elephant wrangler at the circus's Florida winter quarters, Gary Ruden drifts into other jobs: ""butcher"" (concessionaire), trainman (""water in... crap out""), wardrobe boy. Like some of the other hands, he is attracted to the idea of becoming a performer. Eventually he begins to practice seriously on a makeshift high wire. Gary's first-person narrative meanders like a circus train, with stops for various sideshows: excerpts from a diary written by a woman who cooks for the performers, the point of view of a circus midget, and even a glimpse into the mind of Gary's dog. As observed from all these perspectives, the world of the circus is brutal, often obscene and yet strangely romantic. Gary himself flexes several different voices: his initial flat, down-and-out, tough-guy tone; a comic deadpan; and even a lyrical one, at first a whisper. That voice becomes increasingly dominant as it gradually becomes clear that on his circus sojourn Gary is developing not just a craft but an identity. Grittily authentic in its details (Rick Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas is cited in the acknowledgments), Schmitt's debut is a beautifully polished tale. Published under the auspices of the Sewanee Writers' Series, it has all the hallmarks of a potential word-of-mouth success. If it catches on, it should go a long way toward launching Schmitt into the circle of other blue-collar champions with velvet touches, like Anne Tyler and Russell Banks. (Nov.)