{"product_id":"the-circus-of-dr-lao-9780803234949","title":"The Circus of Dr. Lao","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDazzling and macabre, literary and philosophical, \u003ci\u003eThe Circus of Dr. Lao\u003c\/i\u003e has been acclaimed as a masterpiece of speculative fiction and influenced such writers as Ray Bradbury.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbalone, Arizona, is a sleepy southwestern town whose chief concerns are boredom and surviving the Great Depression--that is, until the circus of Dr. Lao arrives and immensely and irrevocably changes the lives of everyone drawn to its tents. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eExpecting a sideshow spectacle, the citizens of Abalone instead confront and learn profound lessons from the mythical made real--a chimera, a Medusa, a talking sphinx, a sea serpent, witches, the Hound of the Hedges, a werewolf, a mermaid, an ancient god, and the elusive, ever-changing Dr. Lao himself. The circus unfolds, spinning magical, dark strands that ensnare the town's populace: the sea serpent's tale shatters love's illusions; the fortune-teller's shocking pronouncements toll the tedium and secret dread of every person's life; sensual undercurrents pour forth for men and women alike; and the dead walk again. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCharles G. Finney (1905-84) was a newspaperman and writer based in Arizona. John Marco is the author of the Tyrants and Kings series, whose books include \u003ci\u003eThe Jackal of Nar\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Grand Design\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Saints of the Sword\u003c\/i\u003e. Michael Martone is a professor of English at the University of Alabama and the author or editor of numerous books, including \u003ci\u003eDouble-Wide: Collected Fiction of Michael Martone\u003c\/i\u003e. Boris Artzybasheff (1899-1965) was a surrealist illustrator who was best known for his magazine art, which has been featured in \u003ci\u003eLife, Fortune, \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eTime\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Bison Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50726490964242,"sku":"9780803234949","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_978b4726-c4e3-42ee-9c59-78caf20c62b9.jpg?v=1734871572","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-circus-of-dr-lao-9780803234949","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}