The Troupe

lI don’t usually write reviews, mainly because I’m not very good at doing so, but I just had to explain to those oblivious to Robert Jackson Bennett as to why they should read his work.After finishing Bennett's most recent book, The City of Stairs, and being astounded by his haunting prose and captivating world, I told myself that I would read some of his earlier works to see if I could receive the same experience I did with City of Stairs. COS was by far, the best book of 2014 and I went into the Troupe with high expectations. And I must say that I was deeply satisfied with this book. However, I cannot compare it to COS, because I had a completely different experience with The Troupe. While Bennett's writing is still beautiful and atmospheric, he explores entirely different themes in this book. Here, he addresses the hardships that come with family and what we will do to attain love. I’m astounded at how Bennett could have written this enchanting novel at such a young age. Prior to this novel, I had no idea what Vaudeville was. But after finishing this I've found myself yearning for more information on the nature of Vaudeville. In short, The Troupe is an enchanting read with complex characters, gripping adventure, and a perfect ending. This book has made mean even bigger fan of Robert Jackson Bennett.

I enjoy backstage novels, particularly ones about theater, vaudeville and magic -- think of Lives of the Circus Animals, Carter Beats the Devil and Niagara Falls All Over Again. Also, I have a taste for urban or alternative-history fantasy. So The Troupe, by Robert Jackson Bennett, was up my alley. The book held my attention and drew me into a world framed by the impossibility of order -- and a chaos surrounding and attempting to disrupt and destroy that order. And, of course, it's set during the era of turn-of-the-century vaudeville. A young pianist sets out from his Ohio town to find a troupe of performers whose act borders on the other-worldly; audience members can't quite seem to remember what they have seen, but they like what they saw. Complicating the matter is the fact that the pianist believes his father is the leader of the troupe, and a strange set of nearly faceless men are pursuing the same troupe. The characters within the troupe -- particularly a singer claiming to be from Persia and an especially odd ventriloquist -- are exceptionally well-drawn; these are flawed people fighting a fight in ways that may not be the most effective. The hero is tested, and he discovers more about himself than he ever suspected. Bennett evokes the period without burying the plot in research, and his prose style is accessible and energetic. The novel isn't particularly deep, but fans of The Magician King will appreciate its tone.

I'll be perfectly honest: fantasy novels have never really been my thing. I preferred mysteries with slight sci-fi elements (such as Relic or Riptide by Preston & Child). And yet, for the third time in a row, Bennett's novel has caught me off guard with how staggeringly good it is.I followed him somewhat before he became a novelist--he used to occasionally write stories for the forums of the website Something Awful--and while I enjoyed his writing there, it rarely had any fantastical elements. Not being a fan, I was unsure about Mr. Shivers (and was pleasantly surprised--it wasn't my favorite thing he'd ever done, but good nonetheless). Company Man was very good as well, mixing the fantasy elements with the light touch of sci-fi, and having just finished The Troupe, I noticed a trend building since Mr. Shivers: I read them so quickly it's jarring, because they are just so engaging.Like Company Man, The Troupe was so engrossing that I found myself not reading a chapter before bed as I usually do, but staying up half the night to continue reading. It's rare that I have such a hard time finding somewhere satisfying to take a break in a novel, and with The Troupe I couldn't do so for the entire second half of the book.I don't really know what else to say, other than the book is excellent, and I can't wait for Bennett's next book.

I bought this book after finding it on a list of the top 25 fantasy novels of all time. Whilst I do not believe it deserves a place on that list I still thought that it was an engrossing tale in it's own right.The story is about a young, talented pianist who tracks a troupe the leader of which he believes is his father. Not alot actually happens throughout the majority of the novel other than for a couple of encounters with the bad guys. These are agents of the anti God who wishes to destroy the whole world. The major focus of the book is George learning to counter the power of the antagonists.There is practically no magic to speak of throughout the majority of the novel. However, I do not always believe this to be a bad thing.Liked: I thought there were some interesting characters particularly Sileneus and Colette as well as a couple of nice twists that I didn't see coming.Disliked: the novel ended rather abruptly I thought. There also wasn't enough going on for my liking. A Loy of dialogue particularly inner dialogue on the protagonists part and not much action.

To start with I should say I took a bit of a gamble with this and I'm so glad I did! I haven't read any of the authors other books and I decided to try it based on a few positive reviews and that it was likened in style to that of Neil Gaiman, particularly his excellent 'Neverwhere'. I would agree with this to a certain extent. They both deal with worlds we recognise but that have mysterious and intriguing elements below the surface of what we know and accept.The Troupe is a magical and charming story. It grabbed my interest at the start and didn't let go until I had finished. A young boy named George searches for his father who he has never met. This leads him to a travelling vaudeville troupe, that his father runs, full of amazing, seemingly magical acts. It's the discovering of who these acts are and the purpose behind the whole troupe which is so entertaining.There is the fierce and beautiful dancer Colette. Grumpy puppeteer Professor Tyburn. Silent Stanley, who only communicates via chalk and blackboard. Small dainty Franny, the strong woman. And the leader himself, they mysterious imposing Silenus.There are plenty of little mysteries and secrets to discover along the way, and thrilling moments too. It's not always a safe world the troupe travel in, and the threat of danger from a shadowy enemy follows them throughout.Robert Jackson Bennett has done a wonderful job creating memorable characters, and reveals their back stories at a very enjoyable pace. I never felt frustrated due to a lack of information and was pleasantly surprised at how much was shared quite early in the story. Not to say there wasn't more to learn later!I can quite honestly say I adored this book.

I really quite like The Troupe although in a couple of places I found it could have been shortened. The high concept of the universe being threatened from outside has been used many times. From traginc as with Phillip Pullman to humourous as written by Terry Pratchett. But Bennett writes decent characters and the reader is interested enough in them not to be hanging on for the next big event. The workaday world of a small travelling group of actors and performers feels real. There is developement of all the characters through the book and couple of surprises. This is worth a read.

This is the first book by Robert Jackson Bennett that I have read and I will certainly be reading more. This is a story that is difficult to categorize but is 'fantastic' in the true meaning of the word. The prose is enchanting and ideas contained within sometimes initially seem simple only to be turned on their heads as you read on. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of 'oddness' that follow the story and indeed the troupe of the title. The only reason I have given this 4 rather than 5 stars is that I like to leave myself something to play with in future reviews!

It's always a pleasure to find a new author and Mr Bennett is a real treat. There are echoes of Stephen King, Neill Gaiman and Angela Carter in this book and even a glimpse of the gentler side of Clive Barker.If you enjoy any of those authors, then The Troupe should definitely be on your to read list. I won't give a synopsis of the book - that's what the book is for; trying to nutshell something as beautifully written as this just couldn't do it justice.Just do yourself a favour and read it.

Another great offering from this great offering. Original and moving and interesting. Loved it.