The Catch Trap

I love this book. It's a wonderful, heart-wrenching story about a pair of circus trapeze artists who fall in love. The problem is they are both men, and it's the forties. Things do not go smoothly. It's a riveting story and a departure for Bradley, who wrote mostly sci-fi. The characters are achingly real.

There's so much here, both about aerialists, their process and art, and about pre-Stonewall gay men, that one forgives the occasionally purple prose, the claustrophobic angst, and only sees the glory and the heartbreak. One becomes caught up in the story that leads, inevitably, to Stonewall (though the book ends well before that) and the gains we've made thus far.

Here's a quote from near the end of the book:

"But I mind," Bart said show more savagely. "I'd like to see a world where I could have my picture taken, say, with Tommy on my lap if I want to. For every woman who got upset because I wasn't, shall we say, available for her romantic daydreams, there's be some young kid reading the papers and going to movies, and he'd be able to stop hating himself and say, 'Okay Bart Reeder is queer, and he's happy and successful, and he's getting along okay, so maybe I don't have to go out and hang myself after all.' And the suicide rate would go down, and everybody would be happy" show less

For me, this book was one of those where I read the last page with a gasp, closed the cover, and sat there savoring it for a while. It's just that good. As much as I love MZB's fantasy work, I don't know how I missed this one, but it took someone else's recommendation to bring it to my attention and I'm very glad this book and I have found each other.

The story: It is an historical fiction novel revolving around the American circus in the 1940's and 1950's. More specifically, it is about the lives of a family of trapeze artists, "The Flying Santellis". One level deeper, it's about a pair of gay trapeze artists and their trials inside and outside of performance.

There is so much story packed into the book, I can hardly enumerate all of show more it (but I'm going to try). From an historical point of view, I think the author did an absolutely fabulous job of conveying the circus environment, the times, the attitudes, the fears and hopes of the nation, the changing times... I really can find no fault with her research and her wonderful grasp of the time period and its trappings.

Amid WWII and its aftermath, is the story of the circus, its people, and all the suspense and adventure therein. As a reader, I was moved by the various events of joy and tragedy within circus life. I felt the book really captured the sights, sounds, feelings, and attitudes of the circus-- the excitement of the performance, the dedication of practice, the dangers, the fatigue of circus routines and travel-- it's all there.

The characters: The Santelli family is full of such fantastically rich, vibrant, and realistic characters, I feel like I could go visit them and they would answer the door with welcoming arms-- because they drew me in and I felt welcomed by them in the story.

The story primarily follows Tom Zane, (son of Lambeth Circus' big cat trainer), and his dreams of flying trapeze. When "The Flying Santellis" join his circus, they decide to take him on and train him. As Tom becomes a part of their group, he's adopted into the family and begins to learn about the whole crazy family, how much they are a part of the circus; its history is their history in many ways, and many of the family's long-held traditions correspond.

From the beginning, Tom adores and admires young Mario Santelli, a handsome and promising performer and star who can do the legendary 'triple' on trapeze. Before too long, (and at age 15), Tom and Mario become lovers as well as performers, keeping their private relationship secret from everyone. All the way through the book, there is tension about what it's like to be gay and closeted during the time period. The personal relationships between lovers, family, and the world at large tie this story together beautifully. I very highly recommend it. show less

The Catch Trap was an incredibly moving story and I really liked it much. Below are a few of my random thoughts. For a far more insightful analysis I suggest you check out Teddy Pig’s review, he’s the reason I spent considerable time ringing 2nd hand book shops around the country trying to get hold of it! Which is what good reviews do, they should illustrate that the novel has touched someone in some way and give you, the reader, some impetus to whip out your much abused credit card.

So, in short, 2 guys meet while working in the circus. Tommy is younger, considerably so at the beginning, and Mario is older, in years anyway (his emotional maturity left something to be desired at times!) They meet, they eventually become lovers and so show more on. But the story doesn’t just hook you in with longing looks and the faint hint of manlove moments, it’s also an authentic accounts of circus life that makes your remember why, at age 10 and spandex was still an option, you were ready to jump out the window in the night and join a troupe of acrobats.

In other reviews I’ve read there are some issues about the age gap when Mario and Tommy start fooling around. I didn’t find it objectionable, mainly because it was consensual and there was a authentic ring to it. I’m sure you could be all hurumph about it, but to be honest aren’t most teens that age fooling around doing something? I dunno. I think we as adults often see sex as an action loaded with power, connotations, consequences blah blah. I seem to remember that kind of thing not really being at the forefront of my mind at that age, nor were they guiding my actions either. So yeah, I thought it was pretty hot and heavy, with a realistic and accessible note that struck a chord.

Thematically there is a lot going on in this big ass book. It is lengthy and at times long winded. There are lovely bits of teen angst, Mario periodically throws himself on the cross and Tommy has these little pockets of youthful insight that are just delicious. There’s the sweet ache of a teenager leaving home, becoming autonomous and loads of courage too. I thought Tommy’s obvious emotional attachment not only to Mario, but to the Santelli family was nicely done. The theme of feeling disconnected and without community is also explored. The author even managed to have a bit of a go at inter generation family dynamics. You name it, this book’s got it. It works for the most part, despite it being a bit of a tome and that the occasional WTF moment —> see Tommy’s parents.

There were defnitely issues in the book and it’s not always perfect, but liked it anyway. Beautiful, erotic, sad, long, romantic and just really damn cool. If you can get a copy, give it a crack and read TP’s review, just cause its great.

http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/the-catch-trap-by-marion-zimmer-bradley/ show less

Might be thought to be a bit dated these days, but nevertheless captures how difficult it was back in the days before Stonewall. There was a time when everyone had to watch their every word and deed (or face extreme forms of society's negative sanctions).

One of my all time favorite novels-A rich, moving family saga that is intertwined with the love story of the two main characters. A sweeping love story spanning 2 decades that remains in the memory long after the last page. I highly recommend this for those that can find it--currently out of print. A truly classic gay love story.

I enjoyed this book for its portrayal of acrobats' lives in the circus. But I did not like the somewhat pedophilia storyline of the relationship between the two main characters. I was turned off by that.

Fluidly written, makes for comfortable, enjoyable reading.