The Tent Boxer

by Roy Maloy

Review by Joseph Michaels

Tent Boxer is one of a rare breed of books that opens up a world within a world that has historically been ignored by popular culture of its day - the sideshow alley. The book follows the life story of Kevin Leigh in a time and place almost too bazaar and colourful to be real. An orphan who finds his place in the world as a council chain-gang worker Kevin soon becomes a boxer in the ever famous Jimmy Sharman Boxing Troupe. The Boxing Troupe were renowned as a traveling band of fighting and wrestling showmen who fought all comers in the Australian carnival sideshows for almost 50 years. Kevin's story is punctuated with scenery that are both historically accurate uniquely Australian.

Tent Boxer is a love story that observes Kevin's love for the daughter of a burlesque striptease tent-show owner, Peggy Fraser. They make a pact to one day be together. Through circumstances of poor communications, the distance and nomad nature of a traveling sideshow performer they spend over a decade apart then find one another again purely by chance.

The book's ending is amongst the most bitter sweet ever told - and resounds heart wrenching truth because it is based on real people and real events. Kevin's story is one that will effect the reader in a personal way. It is a book that will appeal to both men and women, and no prior knowledge or interest in boxing is required of the reader.

Please note: There is a 4-6 delivery time for the book.