Just as it happened with each book of the Americana series by Will Tinkham, after finishing “The Teddy & Bara Show”, I immediately wanted to grab the next one and keep on reading.
It is a futile endeavour to try to retell the plot. Its structure is so unique, and there is so much more to this story than characters and plotlines, that trying to explain it would only spoil it for those who are to read it. What I love most about this author’s writing is how atmospheric his stories are. With immaculately researched period details, baseball references, historical facts and real historical figures thrown in to spice up the narrative, the effect is of a total immersion.
So, who are they, Teddy and Bara? They aren’t the gangsters of the roaring ’20s era. Yet, they’ve caught a glimpse of that world, with shady speakeasies, charlatans cheating other charlatans out of their money, and even at that time seemingly invincible Al Capone. Yes, and with that guy, they happened to get caught in a not very nice story that made them flee Chicago.. It wasn’t the first time they had to hide until the storm passed.
They are clowns – by nature and by intention – who not only entertain to earn money but help sick children in the hospitals and their parents overcome despair. They even cause ‘a miracle’ and local newspaper folk proclaim them heroes.
They aren’t pitiful victims of ignorant parents who made their small children work in the fields. But they definitely had their share of tragedy and sorrow in life, even before either hit eighteen.
In Bara’s words, “I see a man with no expectations, no privilege, and no assumptions about what he is due.” While reading, I was thinking that maybe these rare qualities helped Teddy not to fall victim to all the usual traps.
Teddy says to Bara, “I’m not sure what love is, but I know I’d be miserable without you.” And that is what makes this story special. Even though these two could not be further from romantic heroes, and their love story lacks all the elements of classic romance, that they have met, recognised a better half in each other and did not let go of each other changed their lives. Not exactly transformed it from miserable to fantastic, but gave them a chance not to give up.
Set in the times around the Great Depression, “The Teddy & Bara Show” tells as much the story of two souls who could easily get lost in this big, cruel world as it draws a bigger picture – of the life of the whole nation. Tragic and humorous in equal measure, this book cannot leave anyone reading it indifferent. What I personally really appreciated was ‘meeting’ Grace and Pêche from other books of the series. ‘Seeing’ them again on the pages made me feel warmly nostalgic and also a little sad since I know how their lives played out.
Next on my list is “The Miracles”, for after getting to know a little about this out-of-the-ordinary – putting it mildly – family, with each member exceptional in their own way, I simply must learn more.
Read my reviews of other Americana series books by Will Tinkham
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