The Circus of Doctor Lao

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The Circus of Doctor Lao is a novella written by newspaperman Charles G. Finney. Published in 1935, it tells the story of a rather unusual circus coming to the town of Abalone, Arizona.

It was loosely adapted into a film, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, in 1964, with Tony Randall starring as the eponymous doctor.

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This novel provides examples of:

• Abhorrent Admirer: A sympathetic example; Mrs. Cassin is an older woman whose husband simply left her. Since she lost her looks and charm a long time ago, she has no luck in attracting men.
• Blind Seer: Apollonius of Tyana
• Circus of Fear
• Crappy Carnival: Many think Dr. Lao's circus is one of these, especially with that crazy ad in the newspaper, and the less-than-impressive parade through town.
• Eccentric Townsfolk: The fine folk of Abalone, Arizona.
• Film of the Book: 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao, made in 1964.
• Lampshade Hanging: The appendix includes a section listing several plot-questions the main story never bothers to answer.
• Loads and Loads of Characters: Some of whom are introduced and disposed of in a single sentence.
• Medusa: One of the exhibits.
• Mythical Motifs: Many of the characters are mythical creatures.
• Mysterious Middle Initial: A lot of people in town seem to have "R".
• Not That Kind of Doctor: Like you had to ask.
• Novella: An eight-page introduction, 100 pages of story and then 19 pages of Catalog that includes a lot of additional information.
• Really Seven Hundred Years Old: Try seven thousand.
• Running Gag: People arguing about the man/bear/Russian.
• Sadly Mythtaken: Some members of the circus are creatures thought to be found only in myth.
• Taken for Granite: Despite warnings, Kate Lindquist looks at the Gorgon head-on.
• Talking Animal: The snake.
• You No Take Candle: Lao talks like this occasionally, mostly to deflect unwanted questions.