Rave Reviews
Since its release, SAWDUST: Love is wilder than a circus has garnered stellar 5-Star reviews from excited readers. Here’s a taste:
“Thoroughly engaging. Beautifully crafted scenery. Overall, a very colorful view into a life I knew nothing about. I loved this story. But my favorite part was meeting all the characters. Oh, man! Scullin was a master craftsman in his portrayal of each of the personalities. I fell in love with all of them, no matter how crusty, raunchy, or polished they were. I highly recommend this book.”
“PD Scullin pulls you into an off-beat tale set in and around the circus. The story has plenty of twists and turns. And the characters keep you coming back for more. A great, fun read.”
“…I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down…”
“I’m usually a non-fiction reader, with occasional sci-fi and humor titles in my stack. This book captured my attention partly because it has a feel of authenticity (author’s experience, I suppose) and the sly humor that lurks within. Good characters, a story that moves down the road (figuratively and literally), and some surprises along the way, an interesting tale, and well told. Kind of a cross between Jack Kerouac, Douglas Adams, and a Jerry Springer show…”
“Sawdust is written with the humanity and humor of Vonnegut, had he seen the world through the prism of an advance man for the circus. It’s a deadly accurate look at modern love, in all its unfiltered messiness.
“Like Vonnegut’s writing, it’s hard to put down, and breaks your heart when it ends with you wanting more.”
“SAWDUST by PD Scullin is a must-read for everyone. The novel explores the complicated victories and defeats of romance, betrayal, Catholicism, alcohol use, and especially, a young educated man’s journey into professional life–and love life. Scullin’s characters are so life-like and compelling that I could not put this humorous yet emotionally cutting book down. Every red-blooded man (and woman) can relate to the trials, exaltations, and defeats of finding love when your libido systematically annihilates your personal moral authenticity and sincere quest for faithfulness. No one understands love and romance from a male point of view better than Scullin. If you cannot relate with passion to the delightful storyline and characters, then you have missed the quintessential essence of how extraordinary ordinary life can be. The ecstatic and the troubled are artfully mingled together. The ending will delightfully disturb you.
“…Mr. Scullin is a very funny guy, after reading I felt like I wanted more.”
“…I give it five stars for the story and the setting provides an interesting bonus. The author has a great voice that makes his novel an entertaining journey. The life of a circus “marketing director” adds some interesting twists as well. I recommend you buy this book and then follow the author for future gems.”
“Scullin has a knack for making ordinary people, ordinary lives, interesting. Even though the protagonist isn’t the one swallowing fire or taming the big cats, I found myself invested in his life and relationships. In storytelling, there’s often an urge to take an ordinary person and have them do something extraordinary (save the world, stop a terrorist plot, etc.) in order to keep the reader interested, but it’s a good writer who can write someone ordinary and get the reader invested. I truly enjoyed this book.”
“…The writing is the easy style of a natural storyteller. If you can read this and not feel a whisp of nostalgia for the scent of sawdust and sounds of a three-ring circus you are a harder heart than I. Love, intrigue, and a life we have all wondered about – what would it be like to join the circus. I liked this book.”
“Sawdust is a unique and fascinating book. The novel is written with the backdrop of the great bygone institution of the American traveling circus. This allows Scullin to craft a great novel while also drawing on the mystery and hard life of the real people that put on the show. If you are looking for a break from the ordinary this is a great read.”
“… Patrick Scullin gives a marvelous voice to his characters. Acerbic but not bitter, funny but not an aside joke, Sawdust is a wonderful adventure into the circus…”
“The novel explores the complicated victories and defeats of romance, betrayal, Catholicism, alcohol use, and especially, a young educated man’s journey into professional life — and love life. Scullin’s characters are so life-like and compelling that I could not put this humorous yet emotionally cutting book down. Every red-blooded man (and woman) can relate to the trials, exaltations, and defeats of finding love when your libido systematically annihilates your personal moral authenticity and sincere quest for faithfulness. No one understands love and romance from a male point of view better than Scullin. If you cannot relate with passion to the delightful storyline and characters, then you have missed the quintessential essence of how extraordinary ordinary life can be. The ecstatic and the troubled are artfully mingled together. The ending will delightfully disturb you…”
“…I think everyone who picks up this book will come away so glad they read it. They will learn a lot while being entertained constantly…”
“As a reader, it’s easy to root for Paul, Sawdust’s main man. I kept hoping that the universe would cut the poor guy a break. That’s what keeps you engaged and wondering what will happen as Paul navigates life on the road, falling in love, and a bunch of twists and turns that PD Scullin takes you on. Like a turn on the trapeze, Sawdust offers a wild and unpredictable reader experience. Thoroughly enjoyed this quick read and looking forward to Scullin’s next one.”
“Running away to join the circus is one of those famous old saws that children are supposed to say, but in this book, the author takes it quite literally. Going beyond the central casting characters, the author shows us a side of the circus that’s fun and interesting but doesn’t hide the dirty underbelly. It’s a fun, inventive read that isn’t like anything I’ve read all year…”
“… Authentic, relatable, funny, tragic — like a traveling circus. A clever diversion from a master at dialogue.”
“I enjoyed this book a lot. PD Scullin weaves a good yarn, then fills it with memorable people. The cherry on top is a level of prose that’s increasingly hard to find. The man can write and write well. Even if you’re afraid of clowns (as I am), you’ll probably enjoy this peek into circus life and the life of a young man trying to find his way in the world.”
See why this debut novel has received 100% 5-Star Reviews on Amazon. Order your copy now and save.