Geek Love

Back of the Book

Here is the unforgettable story of the Binewskis, a circus-geek family whose matriarch and patriarch have bred their own exhibit of human oddities--with the help of amphetamines, arsenic, and radioisotopes.

Their offspring include Arturo the Aquaboy, who has flippers for limbs and a megalomaniac ambition worthy of Genghis Khan . . . Iphy and Elly, the lissome Siamese twins . . . albino hunchback Oly, and the outwardly normal Chick, whose mysterious gifts make him the family's most precious--and dangerous--asset.

As the Binewskis take their act across the backwaters of the U.S., inspiring fanatical devotion and murderous revulsion; as its members conduct their own Machiavellian version of sibling rivalry, Geek Love throws its sulfurous light on our notions of the freakish and the normal, the beautiful and the ugly, the holy and the obscene. Family values will never be the same.

Why You Should Read It

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn is a mesmerizing and unconventional literary gem that invites readers into a world of eccentricity, dark humor, and profound exploration of the human condition. Dunn's masterful storytelling revolves around the Binewski family, a cast of uniquely gifted individuals deliberately bred to be carnival attractions. As the narrative unfolds, Dunn weaves a complex tapestry of love, identity, and the blurred boundaries between normalcy and monstrosity. The novel challenges conventional notions of beauty and normalcy, prompting readers to question societal expectations and the lengths individuals go to fit in. With its rich character development, inventive plot twists, and philosophical undertones, Geek Love is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged journey that will linger in your mind long after the final page. If you crave a narrative that defies genre conventions, offering a unique blend of the grotesque and the poignant, Geek Love is a must-read that promises an unforgettable and intellectually stimulating literary experience.

Memorable Passage

There are the those whose own vulgar normality is so apparent and stultifying that they strive to escape it. They affect flamboyant behaviour and claim originality according to the fashionable eccentricities of their time. They claim brains or talent or indifference to mores in desperate attempts to deny their own mediocrity.

About the Author

Katherine Dunn (1945–2016) was an American author and journalist whose literary prowess and fearless exploration of unconventional themes have left an indelible mark on contemporary literature. Born in Oregon, Dunn was a prolific writer, known not only for her acclaimed novels but also for her insightful journalism. However, she achieved literary immortality with her cult classic Geek Love, a novel that defies categorization and pushes the boundaries of storytelling. Dunn's writing is characterized by its audacious creativity, dark humor, and a profound understanding of the complexities of the human psyche. Her ability to navigate the fringes of societal norms and challenge conventional narratives makes Katherine Dunn worth knowing as a literary trailblazer whose work continues to captivate readers with its uniqueness and enduring relevance.

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