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Books like HBO-series Carnivale?

March 7, 2005 1:26 PM Subscribe

I've been enjoying the first season of HBO series Carnivàle on DVD, and I'm interested in finding
some related fiction. Can anyone recommend books with similar genre/setting/themes?
posted by monju_bosatsu to Media & Arts (18 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite

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Maybe Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury?

posted by drobot at 1:38 PM on March 7, 2005

I only saw a few episodes so I may be way off base but it reminds me a little of Something
Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. Of course, I haven't read that since middle school so I
may be misremembering that also.
posted by spynotebook at 1:38 PM on March 7, 2005

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn A very enjoyable read, as I remember, and I would not be
suprised if it was partially an inspiration for Carnivale.
posted by jennyjenny at 1:48 PM on March 7, 2005

Geek Love by Katharine Dunn, for that freak show vibe

American Gods by Neil Gaiman, for that end-of-the-world freaky deity vibe
Waking The Moon and Black Light by Elizabeth Hand, for that end-of-the-world freaky deity vibe
mixed with the ancient religious conspiracy vibe

Um...I know I have more, because this whole thing is something I groove on intensely, but I just
can't remember them right now.
posted by Katemonkey at 1:51 PM on March 7, 2005

I was going to suggest Geek Love, but I see I'm not alone. Excellent book which is touching but
disturbing.
posted by nprigoda at 1:56 PM on March 7, 2005

Another for Geek Love.

posted by marxchivist at 2:03 PM on March 7, 2005

I'd recommend three books off the top of my head: Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus,
Isabelle Allende's The Infinite Plan and Charles Finney's The Circus of Dr. Lao. However, I must
add that I know nothing about the TV show other than having seen the previews and the title,
but based on what others have said, I bet these will suit you. Quirkier books include Fowler's
The Magus and Stephen Millhauser's The King in the Tree and The Knife Thrower and Other
Stories. Also, now that I'm thinking about it John Crowley's Aegypt [thematically related, but
no circus, a gypsy or two] and possibly Allan Kurzweil's book A Case of Curiosities.
posted by jessamyn at 2:09 PM on March 7, 2005

Almost anything by Tim Powers, but I particularly liked Declare, which rewrites certain
portions of Cold War history with supernatural underpinnings. The major events that happen
in Declare really happened, and many of the characters are real too; it's just that, in Powers's
universe, they happened for different reasons.
posted by kindall at 2:18 PM on March 7, 2005

I was going to mention Geek Love and I've never even watched Carnivale!
posted by matildaben at 2:39 PM on March 7, 2005

Ooh, good call Kindall. I much prefer "Last Call" among Powers' work. It does have sort of the
same dreamy quality as Carnivale.

My enjoyment of "Declare" was probably inhibited by the fact that I had no idea Kim Philby was
a real guy.
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on March 7, 2005

Galveston, by Sean Stewart.

posted by Jeanne at 4:04 PM on March 7, 2005

Palahniuk's "Survivor" somehow fits the bill, though I can't quite figure out why.

Another recommendation for Geek Love.

posted by mudpuppie at 4:05 PM on March 7, 2005

Maybe Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham.

posted by misterioso at 4:22 PM on March 7, 2005

I haven't watched Carnivale yet (though I just bought the box set), however, from if you're
looking for good true carnival stories, check out "Eyeing the Flash" or "Memoirs of a Sword
Swallower." The first is about a carnie game operator, the other is about sideshows, both are
good reads.
posted by drezdn at 4:34 PM on March 7, 2005

The Man in the Tree by Damon Knight? Also, I second Carter's Nights at the Circus.
posted by Ritchie at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2005

Some of the writers for Carnivale fully admit swiping from Tim Powers (Last Call and Drawing
of the Dark, mainly) for some of the show's themes. Just pick up anything by him and you'll be
happy. Being well versed in Powers lore has allowed me to yell "Told You So!" and many a
group Carnivale viewing. Hand in hand with Powers is De Lint, though my knowledge of his
work is sparse at best.

F. Paul Wilson has a bunch of books that are of the Forces of Light vs Forces of Dark vein.
They're pulpier than Carnivale but still worthwhile (one, All The Rage even involves a canival!).

Foucault's Pendulum is a good "Secret History with mysical underpinnings" type book.
Christopher Priest's The Prestige is a good period mystic piece (more weird science than magic,
tho).

Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has some similar themes as Carnivale and are worthwhile
on their own to boot.

Chaosium put out a bunch of Lovecraftian short stories, some of which reminded me verily of
the show. Look for the earlier stuff.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:59 PM on March 7, 2005 [1 favorite]

This is great everybody! All these suggestions will keep me busy for quite awhile.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 6:59 PM on March 7, 2005

Here's one more: Paul Auster's Mr. Vertigo.

posted by nobody at 8:19 AM on March 8, 2005

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