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Geek Love: A Novel Paperback – June 11, 2002

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 3,576 ratings

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National Book Award Finalist Here is the unforgettable story of the Binewskis, a circus-geek family whose matriarch and patriarch have bred their own exhibit of human oddities—with the help of amphetamines, arsenic, and radioisotopes.

One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years

Their offspring include Arturo the Aquaboy, who has flippers for limbs and a megalomaniac ambition worthy of Genghis Khan . . . Iphy and Elly, the lissome Siamese twins . . . albino hunchback Oly, and the outwardly normal Chick, whose mysterious gifts make him the family’s most precious—and dangerous—asset. 

As the Binewskis take their act across the backwaters of the U.S., inspiring fanatical devotion and murderous revulsion; as its members conduct their own Machiavellian version of sibling rivalry,
Geek Love throws its sulfurous light on our notions of the freakish and the normal, the beautiful and the ugly, the holy and the obscene. Family values will never be the same.
"Layla" by Colleen Hoover for $7.19
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

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Popular Highlights in this book

From the Publisher

A terrific book says Kurt Vonnegut

A fantastic whirl of a book says The New York Times Book Review

Unrelentingly bizarre says Chicago Tribune

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A Fellini movie in ink. . . . Geek Love throws a punch.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“Wonderfully descriptive. . . . Dunn [has a] tremendous imagination.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Like most great novels, this one keeps the reader marveling at the daring of the author.”
–Philadelphia Inquirer

“Unrelentingly bizarre . . . perverse but riveting. . . . Will keep you turning the pages.”
–Chicago Tribune

From the Inside Flap

Geek Love is the story of the Binewskis, a carny family whose mater- and paterfamilias set out?with the help of amphetamine, arsenic, and radioisotopes?to breed their own exhibit of human oddities. There?s Arturo the Aquaboy, who has flippers for limbs and a megalomaniac ambition worthy of Genghis Khan . . . Iphy and Elly, the lissome Siamese twins . . . albino hunchback Oly, and the outwardly normal Chick, whose mysterious gifts make him the family?s most precious?and dangerous?asset.

As the Binewskis take their act across the backwaters of the U.S., inspiring fanatical devotion and murderous revulsion; as its members conduct their own Machiavellian version of sibling rivalry,
Geek Love throws its sulfurous light on our notions of the freakish and the normal, the beautiful and the ugly, the holy and the obscene. Family values will never be the same.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; Reprint edition (June 11, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0375713344
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0375713347
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.76 x 7.96 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 3,576 ratings

About the author

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Katherine Dunn
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Katherine Dunn was a novelist and journalist best known for her boxing reporting and her bestselling novel Geek Love, a finalist for the Bram Stoker Prize and the National Book Award in 1989. She died on May 11th, 2016. Learn more at kkdunn.com Her estate and copyrights are owned and managed by her son, Eli Dapolonia, Ph.D.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
3,576 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book compelling and enjoyable. They praise the imaginative and captivating story with well-crafted prose. The characters are described as vibrant, colorful, and likable. The writing style is described as elegant and intricate. Many readers appreciate the humor and artwork of the book. However, some find the disturbing story interesting but not gripping.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

195 customers mention "Readability"164 positive31 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They say it's a timeless piece of literature and worth reading.

"...it should be read by as many people as possible, it's a timeless piece of literature and worthy of being on the shelves of any reader who can take a..." Read more

"Geek Love is a powerful reading experience. I read this book last year and I still can't stop thinking about it...." Read more

"...And, I can see how it has reached somewhat of a, cult -classic-status, simply by virtue of its bizarre nature...." Read more

"...A strange and wonderful read...." Read more

163 customers mention "Pacing"116 positive47 negative

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. It's described as imaginative, surreal, and creative. The story keeps readers hooked with its thought-provoking symbolism and characters brought to life.

"...It is at every moment inspiring and heartbreaking, with so much to take away from the book that you think back on it frequently to reassess your..." Read more

"...I found this book to be an amazing read. It is disturbing but intriguing. You will not be able to put it down...." Read more

"...Powerful, heartbreaking, maddening, frustrating, sickening, fascinating, repugnant and yet alluring, Geek Love is a tightly written masterpiece of..." Read more

"The book horrified me at first and I refused to continue reading it until I realized it was not true...." Read more

72 customers mention "Writing quality"55 positive17 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find the prose well-constructed, with an interesting story and engaging characters. The author's writing style is described as lyrical, elegant, and intricate. Readers praise the complex characters and the author's ability to weave an accessible yet complicated story.

"...fascinating, repugnant and yet alluring, Geek Love is a tightly written masterpiece of finding beauty in sewers, and putrescence in that which..." Read more

"There's no question that Dunn is an extraordinary writer, with undeniable creativity, but this one is NOT for everyone...." Read more

"A well-wrought and fascinating look into a hyperbolic verdin of a real culture...." Read more

"This is a totally repulsive, difficult book to read, and my adjectives are not to criticize, but to describe the content of the book...." Read more

50 customers mention "Character development"38 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the vibrant and colorful characters. They find the subject matter told by a likable Oly in an everyday way.

"...Every character in the book is well defined and brought to the forefront, and each character has a story to tell that is uniquely their own...." Read more

"...Ms. Dunn created a unique and disturbing menagerie of characters with the story told from the perspective of the albino dwarf, Oly...." Read more

"...The cast of characters is compelling and sympathetic, even as they do things that would, at first glance, appear awful. One of my all-time favorites." Read more

"...you start to see that the plot is paper thin and the characters are not likeable enough to care about what happens to them...." Read more

28 customers mention "Beauty"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's beauty. They describe it as an honest, unique work of art that is graphic and emotional. The lines between beautiful and grotesque, dark and light, funny and tragic are drawn. Readers find the ending simple and beautiful. The book is described as bold and not afraid to go where it needs to go.

"...This is not to say that Geek Love doesn't end well, the conclusion of the book is as beautiful and simple as its beginning...." Read more

"...The images from this book are strong and provocative, something you can't forget...." Read more

"...maddening, frustrating, sickening, fascinating, repugnant and yet alluring, Geek Love is a tightly written masterpiece of finding beauty in sewers..." Read more

"...I can't deny Dunn's ability to communicate vividly, and, at times beautifully, considering the subject matter...." Read more

24 customers mention "Humor"19 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it funny, sad, and entertaining. The book is described as anything but dull or boring.

"...-knit family story times to vicious sibling rivalry, Geek Love is anything but dull or boring...." Read more

"...Some of the characters are mean and most are crazy in a funny, appealing way. It is well written in my opinion...." Read more

"...The story line while at times incredulous and bizarre was entertaining and held my interest the whole time!..." Read more

"...family of freaks on their road to redemption was engrossing and entertaining, yet this book defies description...." Read more

121 customers mention "Disturbing story"69 positive52 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the disturbing story. Some find it interesting with a twisty plot and a side of horror. Others describe it as disturbing, grotesque, and sickening. The ending is strained and unsatisfying for some readers. While the subject matter is questionable, the writing is well-done.

"...It is at every moment inspiring and heartbreaking, with so much to take away from the book that you think back on it frequently to reassess your..." Read more

"...The ending is strained, somewhat unsatisfying, and yet one is left with serious issues to mull over – between bouts of OMG hilarity." Read more

"...I found this book to be an amazing read. It is disturbing but intriguing. You will not be able to put it down...." Read more

"...Powerful, heartbreaking, maddening, frustrating, sickening, fascinating, repugnant and yet alluring, Geek Love is a tightly written masterpiece of..." Read more

25 customers mention "Difficulty to follow"11 positive14 negative

Customers have different experiences with the book. Some find it fascinating and engaging, with complex characters and writing that is fantastic. Others find it difficult to follow at times, with no real structure and a lack of easy reading.

"...It's not an easy book, or a light book, or a book of happy endings, but it is amazing, and worth the effort. Started: May 13, 2016..." Read more

"...n't end well, the conclusion of the book is as beautiful and simple as its beginning...." Read more

"...I loved the first half. Obviously the premise is disturbing and twisted but Dunn somehow managed to make it feel realistic and natural in context...." Read more

"...Powerful, heartbreaking, maddening, frustrating, sickening, fascinating, repugnant and yet alluring, Geek Love is a tightly written masterpiece of..." Read more

There is no love here.
3 out of 5 stars
There is no love here.
It starts off strong with a very interesting premise and characters. The perspective of the traveling circus Binewski family is immersive, twisted, toxic, disturbing, but importantly fascinating.. until it's not.I couldn't put it down at first which for me is usually a good sign, but I think about halfway through the book, it loses it's charm when you start to see that the plot is paper thin and the characters are not likeable enough to care about what happens to them.Geek Love focuses is primarily on the day to day life of the Binewskis and their traveling circus. There are really no external forces whatsoever, the traveling circus IS their world. Which could work but the interesting but unlikeable characters don't have any problems that they can actually solve. If they can solve them, they conveniently won't and when they actually try to, they conveniently can't. We have an unstoppable antagonist with a "protagonist" and side characters that do nothing meaningful to impede them. Everything is just allowed to happen with almost no objections despite the obvious red flags. It's frustrating because this story does not want to solve the problems it proposes, it just wants it's characters to endure them, and the reader by extension. So be prepared for a lot of disturbing and toxic situations that concludes in a weak and unsatisfying way.Just like the protagonist of this story, despite my complaints and acknowledgment of the existence of issues, I can still recommend this book. But NOT because I love it. It's just okay.*Also, strangely my copy of the book had pages from what looks like a book called Simple & Free. Thankfully it wasn't missing any pages, but just had random pages bound within it. I thought it was some sort of meta joke.. See pictures for reference.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2011
    I returned to Geek Love after having first read it in the 90's. After two decades I can say without hesitation that this is a book that will stick with you, and that you will remember long after you read it. For something to have that effect on you as a reader is a beautiful thing, and very rare. It is a fantastic story told incredibly well, and deals with subject matter that pleasant society probably won't be comfortable with.

    The book chronicles the lives of the Binewski family and their carnival, focusing mostly on the relationships between Arturo (Aqua Man), his sister Olympia, and Olympia's daughter Miranda. It is not a book for the faint of heart or those with a gentle stomach. Geek Love is about carnival freaks, bred that way by their mother and father who believe that the more twisted they are by deformity the more precious and beautiful their very being. The book makes some poignant statements about being different and the unique outlook it can give you on life. It also points out the subjectivity of beauty and its downfalls.

    Every character in the book is well defined and brought to the forefront, and each character has a story to tell that is uniquely their own. From Horst the cat man to Doctor P and Mary Lick, there isn't a single character that doesn't shine in this novel. It is hard to review this book without revealing some of the plot, which shouldn't be done as it could spoil Geek Love for those who haven't read it. The story involves the carnival heavily, familial love, sacrifice, cults, incest, and views of so called "norms" toward the geeks.

    It is at every moment inspiring and heartbreaking, with so much to take away from the book that you think back on it frequently to reassess your opinion. Is Arturo merely a pompous self-absorbed jerk or is he terrified of being left alone and unloved? Do Al and Lil really not understand how hard they have made the lives of their children, are they blind to the dynamics of their family or is it too hard for them to look at as parents? was the Chick simple for all his brilliance or just too young to understand the ramifications of his actions and inaction? How can a person like Mrs. Lick not understand that she is acting out of her own pain while she "liberates" the beautiful?

    This is not to say that Geek Love doesn't end well, the conclusion of the book is as beautiful and simple as its beginning. It is perhaps the greatest testament to this novel that you are left with these moral questions, it isn't often that a piece of fiction will make you think so deeply on its subject matter and on the morality of the concepts it lays out.

    I wouldn't suggest this book to many of my friends for the simple fact that I don't believe they could get through Geek Love without hurling it across the room. It is offensive, but not purposefully so, it's the kind of book that shoves the world of freaks in your face and makes you feel like one. If for that reason alone it should be read by as many people as possible, it's a timeless piece of literature and worthy of being on the shelves of any reader who can take a moment to open their mind to a reality different from their own.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2012
    Geek Love is a powerful reading experience. I read this book last year and I still can't stop thinking about it. The images from this book are strong and provocative, something you can't forget. Just by reading the first sentence of the synopsis, parents who create their own freak show, you know that you are in for a wild and insane ride.

    Ms. Dunn created a unique and disturbing menagerie of characters with the story told from the perspective of the albino dwarf, Oly. She tells of her life before and after her carny life was destroyed. Oly never considers herself a successful member of her family; but she clung to her life in the carny world. Her life revolves around her more powerful siblings. She is their caretaker and follower. She is stuck in the middle of a deadly sibling conflict.

    Throughout the book, Oly takes us through all the dynamics that surround her disconcerting family. The constant battles of family supremacy continue to put Oly in the middle and she must pick sides, with the sides ever-changing. Her present consists of constantly keeping vigil over her daughter. Oly's raging emotions concerning her daughter, Miranda, are at the same time vicious and somewhat motherly. Oly's character makes you feel many things: horror, revulsion, and sympathy.

    Arturo, the Aquaboy, is the main attraction at the Binewski carnival. He is totally dependent on his family for his basic needs; but he rules over them with a tyrannical fist. He constantly feels threatened, especially by his sisters, Iphy and Elly. They are in constant battle on who is the main carnival attraction. Their parents, Al and Crystal, let their creations take over, rule and ultimately destroy their family. Furthermore, Arturo has a fanatical following that eventually turns into a cult. He preaches that the only way to "Peace, Isolation, Purity" was to become like him. He is able convince his followers to have their extremities amputated to feel isolated and helpless, which feeds Arturo's megalomaniacal needs. He is truly a diabolical character.

    Then there is Chick...the little innocent and dangerous boy who brings destruction to them all. All Chick wants is for his family to be happy. However, h e is the one who brings a brutal finality to this tragic sibling rivalry.

    I found this book to be an amazing read. It is disturbing but intriguing. You will not be able to put it down. Be careful not to read it before you go to sleep because you will have some serious funky dreams. I DID!
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Holly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint of heart
    Reviewed in Canada on August 11, 2021
    This book is truly something else. Katherine Dunn did a wonderful job of switching up the horror genre with this rather subtle horro that gets more and more disgusting as the plot progresses, all the while tempering it so you're not shocked out of the water.

    It's been a long time since I've been as disgusted by a book, and intrigued at the same time. This will be one of my favourites for years to come.
  • Eitan Benavides Original
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fine.
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 15, 2021
    Pages change colors and materials, and are not the best quality, but okay overall.
  • ACE
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinant
    Reviewed in France on August 31, 2020
    Quoi dire de ce roman ? Etrange. Dérangeant. Dégoutant. Et pourtant, prenant et...fascinant. C'est peut-etre le meilleur terme que je puisse trouver. Fascinant!
    On est là à se demander "mais où va aller cette hisoire ?" Mais surtout "jusqu'où ?". Parce que oui, elle va loin cette histoire. Ohhh qu'est-ce que ça va loin? Certains ne le supporteront peut-etre pas. C'est certain.
    Mefiez-vous de la quatrième de couverture de cette édition anglaise, qui parle d'histoire d'amour. Ben... c'est que... si ça est de l'amour, c'est une amour (des amours) maladif, malsain, incestueux...
  • ✖️Phil.Crossland✖️
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
    Reviewed in Spain on January 20, 2019
    A great read although disturbing at times you just can't help loving the story and freaky characters.A must read for anyone who likes something a little different.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a fascinating read and I would thoroughly recommend it.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2015
    The book starts with a couple who meet at his circus, she works as a geek, that is, she bites the heads off live chickens while wearing a white dress and singing Schubert. They are not doing too well due to freak staffing shortages, so, by drug and radiation manipulation during her pregnancies, they try to create their own family freak show, resulting in a boy with flippers for hands and feet, Siamese twin girls, a bald albino dwarf girl and a boy with strange powers; and six jars of strange and deformed Human foetuses. Then it all starts to get a bit weird.

    The book is narrated by Olly, the dwarf girl. I don't want to give anything away, but this book is spiritual, ethical, philosophical, and it examines some deep aspects of inter-family behaviour. It's a fascinating read and I would thoroughly recommend it.
    2 people found this helpful
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