Josser - The Secret Life of a Circus Girl (Paperback, Revised)

The author stands in a unique, and somewhat awkward position. Having gained a thorough insight into circus life due to the extensive amount of time she has spent leading this extraordinary existence, as a 'josser', an outsider in the eyes of the Circus Family, she will never truly be a part of it. Perching on this borderline, however, she is able to empathize with both her new friends and their bizarre way of life, as well as the normality of her old life. Tragic circumstances led her to run away to this exciting new life, but what she wasn't prepared for were the tough mental and physical tests that had to be faced. The book is littered with all kinds of colourful and fascinating characters, all larger-than-life, as you would expect, and plenty of adventure. Stroud depicts beautifully a lively and dramatic world, and the compelling community within it. (Kirkus UK)

An account of Oxford-educated Nell Stroud's life in the circus. It is also the story of the people of the circus, from the trapeze artists and clowns to the high-wire acts and grooms, as Nell reveals their commitment and expertise, and their hard, marginalized lives. Following a terrible riding accident which left her mother permanently brain-damaged, Nell ran away to the circus. What she found there was a life which became more real to her than the one she left behind. She found people who had sacrificed their lives for their art, who worked in all weathers, perfecting some of the most dramatic and beautiful acts she had ever seen. She found third-generation show-people who travelled around forgotten parts of Britain to bring their abstract, polished, multi-layered show to ever-dwindling audiences. She found herself in an art form that may soon be lost. Nell lived and worked among the circus people for several years, but she is not one of them: she was not born in the circus. In their words she is a "josser" a person in the circus from the outside world.

General

Imprint:	Virago Press Ltd
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	April 2000
First published:	April 2000
Authors:	Nell Stroud
Dimensions:	198 x 128 x 24mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - B-format
Pages:	320
Edition:	Revised
ISBN-13:	978-1-86049-695-0
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > Film, television, music, theatre Books > Arts & Architecture > Performing arts > Other public performances & spectacles > Circus Books > Biography > Film, television, music, theatre Promotions
LSN:	1-86049-695-4
Barcode:	9781860496950

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