The Circus Fire

A True Story of an American Tragedy

By: Stewart O'Nan

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

One of America's most acclaimed novelists turns to nonfiction in this powerful re-creation of the great Hartford circus fire, which took the lives of 167 people and forever changed the city and its people.

On July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, the big top of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus caught fire during the middle of the afternoon performance. Nine thousand people were inside. The canvas of the big tent had been waterproofed with a mixture of paraffin and gasoline. In seconds, the big top was burning out of control. Bleacher seats were fronted by steel railings with narrow openings; the main exits were blocked by caged chutes in which leopards and lions were maddened by the fire.

In re-creating the horrific events of one of America's most cataclysmic civic tragedies, Stewart O'Nan has fashioned both an incomparably gripping narrative and a profound, measured glimpse into the extremes of human behavior under duress. In the madness of the inferno, some, like animal trainer May Kovar and the tragic Bill Curlee (who tossed dozens of children to safety over the lion's chute), would act with superhuman bravery. Others, like the sailor who broke a woman's jaw to get past her, would become beasts. The toll of the fire, and its circumstances, haunt Hartford to the present day - the identity of one young victim, known only as Little Miss 1565, remains an enduring mystery and a source of conflict in the city.

But it is the intense, detailed narrative - before, after, and especially during the panic under the burning tent - that will remain with listeners long after they finish this exceptional book.

©2001 Stewart O'Nan (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This moving elegy does tribute both to the terrible tragedy and to O'Nan's talent as a writer." ( Publishers Weekly)

The Circus Lure

If you could sum up The Circus Fire in three words, what would they be?

Intense, compassionate and thorough.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Circus Fire?

How devasting the disaster was in the annals of history. The descriptions of the victims. You could feel the fear.

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I want to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry. It also made me respect the history of the circus and the lure of the circus.

A Powerful and Unforgettable Historical Account

Any additional comments?

Beyond doubt, this is a powerful and detailed account of an American tradegy. It was an experience I will not soon forget. Narrator, Dick Hill brings O'Nan's painstakingly researched story to vibrant life. Hill plays every character to perfection in an absolutely stellar performance. If you listen to books, you must listen to this one. Nothing on the printed page could convey the raw emotion as does this audio version.

Compelling

Well-written, compelling, moving story. I enjoyed it even though parts are heart-breaking.

Very descriptive history of long ago

I have listened to this twice now. Could not stop. Is a very sad, but needful lesson to be learned. Was told very well.

Sadly True

I Like the narrator. He did a Wonderful job. The stories were put together very well . It was filled with details. That I could hardly stand at times. But sometimes safety is learned by History. The truth is that This was an awful thing that happened to so many people. & even more were effected. So much that it effected there way of living... God Rest Their Souls...

Saddest book I've ever loved 💙

This book will break your heart early, particularly if you are an animal lover. But the thoughtfulness of the author cannot be overstated. The author took the reader by the hand and thoroughly explained each detail that encapsulated the entire scene which has reverberated through the century. This genre is already my cup of tea. I already flock to 'disaster books' because I find in them the true, and often beautiful silver linings that humanity can offer. But this book stood out as a sterling example among all my favorites; demonstrating how thoughtful authorship can restore memories, and preserve peoples' lives forever. I hated for this book to end. It took me only a few days to listen to because I couldn't turn it off. Thanks to the author for all his obviously heartfelt devotion and research.

Intriguing and Interesting -- Goes on a bit long

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and intriguing. The narration was excellent. I gave the book a 3 because I think the writer takes too long to resolve a couple of the story lines.

Harrowing and brilliantly detailed

As a non-American I knew nothing about the Circus Fire before listening to this book. I now consider myself better informed! :-) This is a masterful piece of investigation and storytelling. The tale spans 55 years and virtually no stone remained unturned by the author's clearly painstaking research. Special credit also to the narrator - he really helped to bring the era of the events alive to me. This is one of the very best Audible books I have listened to over the last three years. Be aware that it can be rather distressing in its attention to detail. The fire itself took just a few minutes but the description from many different perspectives alone took over two hours to read... Highly recommended!

Not for the faint of heart!

What made the experience of listening to The Circus Fire the most enjoyable?

I enjoy history and this was a piece of history that I knew nothing about. A circus fire that killed 167 people and changed Hartford, Conn. profoundly was very engrossing. The author, (who writes fiction) was very succinct in his facts and looked at every aspect of the fire.

What other book might you compare The Circus Fire to and why?

Calamity, the Heppner flood of 1903 by Joann Green Byrd. Both are disaster stories and both bring out the heroics of regular people when confronted with adversity. Both were very empowering stories.

What aspect of Dick Hill’s performance would you have changed?

He was adequate, I don't know what he could have done better. I just couldn't put him up there with Scott Brick, John Lee or Nadia May.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The greatest show on earth in flames!

Any additional comments?

While I liked this book, there were times that the numerous descriptions of the fire victims made me squirm and after a time became so repetitive that it was hard to listen to. Overall I learned a lot and came away with a greater understanding of what someone surviving a disaster of this magnitude deals with day to day.

However, as I said earlier this book was quite gruesome and not for everyone.

Wow! A brillian way to convey this tragedy

There is no way something this tragic could be relayed in all its detail but the way the author maks this a story including back stories and history of similar events really captures a bigger picture. The details, the descriptions of mangled bodies, and the human reaction to such an event is far more than interesting or educational. The amount of research and quality of this book is amazing. If you read anything on human behavior, American or Circus history you need to hear or read this book. The narration is also well done and I can't give this author, narroter or anyon who came in contact with producing this book enough praise. So much goes unsaid, so much history of the circus era becomes forgotten, and this is one piece that really stands out.