Circus by Alan Edward Nourse (1956)
"Circus" is a science fiction novel written by Alan Edward Nourse in 1956. The story follows the journey of a young man named John who, after being kicked out of his parents' home, joins a traveling circus as a way to escape his difficult past and find a new sense of purpose. As John becomes more involved with the circus and its colorful cast of characters, he begins to uncover secrets about the circus's mysterious owner and the dark forces that are at work behind the scenes. With elements of mystery, adventure, and social commentary, "Circus" is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the human condition.
By Alan Edward Nourse · First published 1956 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller · 3,134 words
First lines
"Just suppose," said Morgan, "that I _did_ believe you. Just for argument." He glanced up at the man across the restaurant table. "Where would we go from here?"
The man shifted uneasily in his seat. He was silent, staring down at his plate. Not a strange-looking man, Morgan thought. Rather ordinary, in fact. A plain face, nose a little too long, fingers a little too dainty, a suit that doesn't quite seem to fit, but all in all, a perfectly ordinary looking man.
What this Textopian page supports
Circus is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alan Edward Nourse, dated 1956 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Alan Edward Nourse
- Date: 1956 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller
- Length: 3,134 words
- Structure: 1 section, 76 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Circus by Alan Edward Nourse
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Circus?
- How does this short story by Alan Edward Nourse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book employs themes and elements often seen in the science fiction genre, including futuristic technology and speculative events, such as humanity's struggle to survive and prosper on alien planets.
- Adventure — Central to the plot is a journey that the protagonist and his crew embark on, filled with perils and risks, commonly found in the Adventure genre.
- Thriller — The book incorporates suspense and excitement elements throughout the story, creating a tense atmosphere typical of the Thriller genre.
Tags
another · asked · authors · back · believe · extraterrestrial beings · eyes · fiction · first · get · go · going