Joe goes to work as a carnie for a week and meets worldly carnies: Carlos, a young man looking for trouble; Lady Fortuna, a guilt ridden old fortune teller; Pinda, a self assured young woman he thinks he might want to run off to see the world with; and Miss Toulon, who decided where to place the glass maze having been told in no uncertain terms by loud voices in her head. But Lisa, who has also just graduated from Joe's high school, shows up. She's no longer a shy stranger, and Joe falls for her too, even though choosing her would mean staying on the farm. Strange things happen and there are rumors that the glass maze is haunted and evil. Furthermore, it has plans to free itself, even if it means taking down the whole carnival-and Joe's life-with it.
Check it out at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Light-Carnival-Peter-Joseph-Swanson/dp/1600762972/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310328299&sr=1-1
Here is a book trailer for it at youtube. It's very festive, you'll want to watch it more than once! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK92hXpefsc
Review by Karen V
March 17, 2011
Carnival life with a paranormal twist! A fantastic read with
characters you want to know about, a page turner with wit and just the
right amount suspense. No one sets the scene or develops his
characters quite like Swanson, from Joe, Pinda, to Lady Fortuna, with
an ending that would rival the final scene in the movie Poltergeist.
Be careful, because you will be definitely "possessed" by all the odd
happenings at this curious carnival with its offbeat participants! And
yes, there is a bearded lady....
Trip the Light Horrific By Andrew Russell on November 19, 2011 Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I was surprised at the whimsy Peter Joseph Swanson gave to his sordid tale about an evil glass maze and the mere human pawns it feeds on. "By The Light Of The Carnival" is a fast read that leaves you craving more. One can get hooked on Swanson's books for this reason alone.
Read this book for its lively array of characters, and for the overall sense of wonder life could still have back in '77. The pop-culture references are deliciously abundant, and I still remember the summer of that year. It felt like it would go on forever. That's the breezy feeling you'll have reading Swanson's story. But don't go near that glass maze! The worm will turn.
I was surprised at the whimsy Peter Joseph Swanson gave to his sordid tale about an evil glass maze and the mere human pawns it feeds on. "By The Light Of The Carnival" is a fast read that leaves you craving more. One can get hooked on Swanson's books for this reason alone.
Read this book for its lively array of characters, and for the overall sense of wonder life could still have back in '77. The pop-culture references are deliciously abundant, and I still remember the summer of that year. It felt like it would go on forever. That's the breezy feeling you'll have reading Swanson's story. But don't go near that glass maze! The worm will turn.