This is a new title from the author of the Richard & Judy bestseller "The Cellist of Sarajevo". This is an unforgettable walk with Salvo Ursari, tightrope walker extraordinaire. Gripping from its very first heartstopping page, "Ascension" is a breathtaking novel about risk, fate and history; a dazzling feat of storytelling that takes us on an epic journey across the twentieth century. It is the summer of 1976 and Salvo Ursari, a man of retirement age, is walking on a taut wire strung between the twin towers of New York's World Trade Centre, almost 1400 feet above the city. It is the most challenging performance of his life. Far below him in the gaping crowd stands his wife, Anna, to whom he has made a solemn promise: this wire walk will end his career. As a boy growing up in Transylvania, Salvo Ursari is haunted and inspired by the gypsy folklore that forms his heritage. When a tragic fire that envelops his entire family, Salvo is forced to flee his village and begin a lifetime's odyssey that takes him through the Transylvanian forests, to the streets Budapest - where he first learns the skills of a wire-walker - and eventually to the United States during the heyday of the Big Top.
Ascension
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More About the Author
Steven Galloway teaches creative writing at the University of British Columbia. He lives in Vancouver with his wife, children, dog and cat.
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“One of the most suspenseful introductory chapters in Canadian literature. … Once you’re a handful of paragraphs into Ascension" "you’re rapt; this is a book that comples attention, then holds it throughout…. His knack for a gripping story never falters.” -- "The Georgia Straight" “Galloway shows a rare flair for inhabiting minds at moments of exhilaration and peril…. His attention to detail lends an uncanny veracity to the skywalk passages and the book has loads of neat lore….. Ascension is a novel that has stuck in my mind, and I don’t expect it to leave any time soon.” -- "The Gazette "(Montreal) “Steven Galloway negotiates a mesmerizing line…. Rising above all else soars the elegance of the storytelling. Galloway’s balance on the narrative line is a pleasure to experience.” -- "Vancouver Sun" “This is an rengaging read. Each episode, like the high wire, is tautly strung be
About the Author
Steven Galloway teaches creative writing at the University of British Columbia. He lives in Vanvouver with his wife, children, dog and cat.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In a rush to catch a train one morning I grabbed a book off the shelf of WH Smith, quickly scanned the back, saw the words "gypsy" and "Transylvania" and being a horror fan thought, RESULT! Settling into my train seat with a bad cup of coffee, I was a little surprised to find that the first chapter began in pre 9/11 New York on top of one of the twin towers with a performer preparing for the ultimate extreme wire walk.
Was I disappointed? Absolutely not! For what followed was the best opening chapter of any book I've ever read. I will not disclose too much here as i would not not want to deprive you of the pleasure. What I can say is that I was immediately transported onto that wire with Salvo, a Romany gypsy immigrant and gifted circus performer. I felt every movement of the wire, sway of the towers, and gust of wind, I held my breath and my heart skipped a beat along with Salvo. At one point I almost spred my arms out to keep balance for him.
From that first chapter I was completely hooked on this man's incredible journey. From his tragic childhood in Hungary, suffering family tragedy and social bigotary. From escaping Nazi Europe and narrowly avoiding the holocaust to world stardom as leader of a family troop of ground-breaking wire walkers with the biggest Circus in the World. Lessons are learned using the wise words of Salvo's father through wonderfully imaginative and colourful Romany gypsy tales that have been handed down through generations, helping to add humour and lightness to what at times is a heart wrenching story. Read more ›
Was I disappointed? Absolutely not! For what followed was the best opening chapter of any book I've ever read. I will not disclose too much here as i would not not want to deprive you of the pleasure. What I can say is that I was immediately transported onto that wire with Salvo, a Romany gypsy immigrant and gifted circus performer. I felt every movement of the wire, sway of the towers, and gust of wind, I held my breath and my heart skipped a beat along with Salvo. At one point I almost spred my arms out to keep balance for him.
From that first chapter I was completely hooked on this man's incredible journey. From his tragic childhood in Hungary, suffering family tragedy and social bigotary. From escaping Nazi Europe and narrowly avoiding the holocaust to world stardom as leader of a family troop of ground-breaking wire walkers with the biggest Circus in the World. Lessons are learned using the wise words of Salvo's father through wonderfully imaginative and colourful Romany gypsy tales that have been handed down through generations, helping to add humour and lightness to what at times is a heart wrenching story. Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By KazzaMac
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved this book and found it very difficult to put down so, although I am currently working 12 hour days, I have read it in a little over 2 days. I found the story of Salvo Ursari fascinating and the author totally draws you into the story. At one point I even became quite snappy with my husband because he wanted to discuss something with me and I felt that I was not able to put the book down!
This is the second book by Steven Galloway which I have read (I also read the Cellist of Sarajevo) and I look forward to reading more of his work.
This is the second book by Steven Galloway which I have read (I also read the Cellist of Sarajevo) and I look forward to reading more of his work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Dillyj
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
Read the first chapter and you will be drawn into a fascinating insight into an era of circus life, as the pressures of a fast moving entertainment industry require bigger and more spectacular performances. But the book is not just that - family relationships, individual's struggles and much more. My words have hardly done justice to one of the most brillliant books I have read in a long time. Don't be put off by the cover illustration, Steven Galloway's attention to detail and research makes the text come to life as you become embroiled in the family.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
From Romany folklore to High Wire tension _ this book had me gripped from page 1 . I found some flaws but the end justified the flaws.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Dene
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
"Cellist From Sarajevo" was indeed a masterpiece consequently I didn't hesitate to purchase "Ascension". I have just read three other reviews and agree that Steven Galloway did a great deal of research and that his description of Romany life, wire walkers and circus life are excellent, but for me the rest of the book was somewhat banal. One of the reviewers considered Galloway to be another Charles Dickens - well, Galloway will have to do much better in the future to deserve such praise.
Mark Dene
Mark Dene
By janner37
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I purchased this as it was cheap and I wasn't sure whether to read it. I am very pleased I did as I rate it the best book I have read this year. It is an unusual subject but the story is well told and if you come to the end of the book and say I don't care about the characters in the book I won't believe you. I shall look carefully for more from this author.
By Mrs P Dawson
Format:Kindle Edition
Very well written story, hard to put it down, but I was also so sad to reach the end. The characters are superbly drawn, loved them all. Read this book.
By Mary Lamb
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
And as someone (now too old) who often fancied running away with the circus, I am captivated by this story. The spiritual and emotional content is so all-pervading, powerfully woven between the lines.
I think I will read more from Steven Galloway.
I think I will read more from Steven Galloway.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant book.
Loved the characterisation, wonderful tale well written and well told. This guy can write, will definately check out further reading by him....
Published 13 months ago by darrenljarvis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The opening chapter got it off to a flying start. The book is well written, engaging, unputdownable. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Published 13 months ago by avidreader
5.0 out of 5 stars
A haunting book
I find myself thinking about the characters in this book long after I finished reading it.
You can feel the tension as they walk the wire. Read more
You can feel the tension as they walk the wire. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Stephen
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read book
High wire high tension and a good read keeps you glued to the book and you really dont want to miss anything
Published 14 months ago by james knight
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed
Loved The Cellist & thoroughly enjoyed this too . The story starts at the end with a gripping introduction & I was immediately hooked -loved the journey through early 20th century... Read more
Published 14 months ago by S. Orton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful story
This was a lyrically written book. The characters were unusual and beautifully rounded. It was full of excitement and sadness. A definite must read. Read more
Published 14 months ago by carol ormrod
4.0 out of 5 stars
What an adventure!
Well told yarn of this high wire family act - from Eastern Europe across to America, to become the most famous of all hire wire acts. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr P Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars
The wire
I enjoyed the book, it was an entertaining read. The story flows well and I read it in a couple of hours which proves it was a good story.
Published 14 months ago by Rj Allen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ascension
For a free book it was a good read. I felt the author could have developed more of the story lines but it was an intriguing story that certainly caught my attention
Published 14 months ago by MVD
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quick, light read
A short-ish book which starts with the end and then takes you through from the start. Made me want to keep reading since I already knew the end, wanted to know how we got there.
Published 14 months ago by F
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