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Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show

A Novel of Ireland

A Novel of Ireland

A Novel of Ireland

By Frank Delaney

By Frank Delaney

By Frank Delaney

By Frank Delaney

By Frank Delaney
Read by Frank Delaney

By Frank Delaney
Read by Frank Delaney

Best Seller

Part of A Novel of Ireland

Part of A Novel of Ireland

Part of A Novel of Ireland

Paperback $15.00

Jan 17, 2012 | ISBN 9780812979732

Ebook $11.99

Feb 23, 2010 | ISBN 9781588369734

Audiobook Download $25.00

Feb 23, 2010 | 780 Minutes

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    Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney
    Paperback
    Jan 17, 2012 | ISBN 9780812979732
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    • Paperback $15.00

      Jan 17, 2012 | ISBN 9780812979732

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    • Ebook $11.99

      Feb 23, 2010 | ISBN 9781588369734

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    About Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show

    January 1932: Ben MacCarthy and his father watch a vagabond variety revue making a stop in the Irish countryside. After a two-hour kaleidoscope of low comedy, juggling, tumbling, and other entertainments, Ben’s father, mesmerized by Venetia Kelly, the troupe’s magnetic headliner, makes a fateful decision: to abandon his family and set off on the road with Miss Kelly and her caravan. Ben’s mother, shattered by the desertion, exhorts, “Find him and bring him back,” thereby sending the boy on a Homeric voyage into manhood.

    Interweaving a host of unforgettable creations—“King” Kelly, Venetia’s violent, Mephistophelean grandfather; Sarah Kelly, Venetia’s mysterious, amoral mother; and even a truth-telling ventriloquist’s dummy named Blarney—Frank Delaney unfurls a splendid narrative that spans half the world and a tumultuous decade.

    About Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show

    BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Frank Delaney’s The Matchmaker of Kenmare.

    January 1932: Ben MacCarthy and his father watch a vagabond variety revue making a stop in the Irish countryside. After a two-hour kaleidoscope of low comedy, juggling, tumbling, and other entertainments, Ben’s father, mesmerized by Venetia Kelly, the troupe’s magnetic headliner, makes a fateful decision: to abandon his family and set off on the road with Miss Kelly and her caravan. Ben’s mother, shattered by the desertion, exhorts, “Find him and bring him back,” thereby sending the boy on a Homeric voyage into manhood.

    Interweaving a host of unforgettable creations—“King” Kelly, Venetia’s violent, Mephistophelean grandfather; Sarah Kelly, Venetia’s mysterious, amoral mother; and even a truth-telling ventriloquist’s dummy named Blarney—Frank Delaney unfurls a splendid narrative that spans half the world and a tumultuous decade.

    About Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show

    “She sprang from the womb and waved to the crowd. Then smiled and took a bow.” And so we first meet Venetia Kelly, the beguiling actress at the center of this new, spellbinding, and epic novel by Frank Delaney, the bestselling author of Ireland and Shannon.

    January 1932: While Ireland roils in the run-up to the most important national election in the Republic’s short history, Ben MacCarthy and his father watch a vagabond variety revue making a stop in the Irish countryside. After a two-hour kaleidoscope of low comedy, Shakespearean recitations, juggling, tumbling, and other entertainments, Ben’s father, mesmerized by Venetia Kelly, the troupe’s magnetic headliner, makes a fateful decision: to abandon his family and set off on the road with Miss Kelly and her caravan. Ben’s mother, shattered by the desertion, exhorts, “Find him and bring him back,” thereby sending the boy on a Homeric voyage into manhood, a quest that traverses the churning currents of Ireland’s fractious society and splinters the MacCarthy family.

    Interweaving historical figures including W. B. Yeats, and a host of unforgettable creations—“King” Kelly, Venetia’s violent, Mephistophelean grandfather; Sarah Kelly, Venetia’s mysterious, amoral mother; and even a truth-telling ventriloquist’s dummy named Blarney—Frank Delaney unfurls a splendid narrative that spans half the world and a tumultuous, eventful decade.
     
    Teeming with intrigue, pathos, and humor, Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show explores two of Ireland’s great national passions: theater and politics. Writing with his signature mastery and lyrical prose, Frank Delaney once again delivers an unforgettable story as big and boisterous as the people and events it chronicles.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Also by Frank Delaney

    Shannon
    Tipperary
    Simple Courage
    See all books by Frank Delaney

    Also by Frank Delaney

    Shannon
    Tipperary
    Simple Courage
    See all books by Frank Delaney

    Also by Frank Delaney

    Shannon
    Tipperary
    Simple Courage
    See all books by Frank Delaney

    About Frank Delaney

    Frank Delaney was the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Ireland, as well as Tipperary, Shannon, and Simple Courage: A True Story of Peril on the Sea. A former judge for the Man Booker Prize, Delaney enjoyed a prominent career in BBC broadcasting before becoming… More about Frank Delaney

    About Frank Delaney

    Frank Delaney was the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Ireland, as well as Tipperary, Shannon, and Simple Courage: A True Story of Peril on the Sea. A former judge for the Man Booker Prize, Delaney enjoyed a prominent career in BBC broadcasting before becoming… More about Frank Delaney

    About Frank Delaney

    Frank Delaney was the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Ireland, as well as Tipperary, Shannon, and Simple Courage: A True Story of Peril on the Sea. A former judge for the Man Booker Prize, Delaney enjoyed a prominent career in BBC broadcasting before becoming… More about Frank Delaney

    Product Details

    Category: Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction

    Paperback | $15.00
    Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks
    Jan 17, 2012 | 448 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | ISBN 9780812979732

    Category: Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction

    Ebook | $11.99
    Published by Random House
    Feb 23, 2010 | 448 Pages | ISBN 9781588369734

    Category: Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Audiobooks

    Audiobook Download | $25.00
    Published by Random House Audio
    Feb 23, 2010 | 780 Minutes | ISBN 9780307714572

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    Praise

    “Wonderful entertainment [that] encompasses Irish history and politics, a mystery, a quest, and a coming-of-age story . . . by a masterful storyteller.”—The Boston Globe

    “Entrancing . . . Delaney unleashes a cavalcade of memorable characters worthy of John Irving. . . . But the book’s fascinating Kelly women give the story its true magic. . . . Teeming with life and a sprawling, chaotic energy, [this novel] scores another goal for Delaney.”—The Plain Dealer

    “Delaney tells a wonderful story about Ireland in a troubled time, following Ben into manhood with compassion, intrigue and humor.”—The Oklahoman
     
    “This expansive tale of politics, tragedy, and revenge is Irish storytelling at its best. Full of vibrant, well-crafted characters and satisfyingly high drama, it will appeal to fans of sweeping Irish sagas.”—Library Journal
     
    “An inventive, amazing work.”—BookPage

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