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Queen of the Air

A True Story of Love and Tragedy at the Circus

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A true life Water for Elephants, Queen of the Air brings the circus world to life through the gorgeously written, true story of renowned trapeze artist and circus performer Leitzel, Queen of the Air, the most famous woman in the world at the turn of the 20th century, and her star-crossed love affair with Alfredo Codona, of the famous Flying Codona Brothers.

Like today's Beyonce, Madonna, and Cher, she was known to her vast public by just one name, Leitzel. There may have been some regions on earth where her name was not a household expression, but if so, they were likely on polar ice caps or in the darkest, deepest jungles.
Leitzel was born into Dickensian circumstances, and became a princess and then a queen. She was not much bigger than a good size fairy, just four-foot-ten and less than 100 pounds. In the first part of the 20th century, she presided over a sawdust fiefdom of never-ending magic. She was the biggest star ever of the biggest circus ever, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Greatest Show on Earth.
In her life, Leitzel had many suitors (and three husbands), but only one man ever fully captured her heart. He was the handsome Alfredo Codona, the greatest trapeze flyer that had ever lived, the only one in his time who, night after night, executed the deadliest of all big-top feats, The Triple--three somersaults in midair while traveling at 60 m.p.h. The Triple, the salto mortale, as the Italians called it, took the lives of more daredevils than any other circus stunt.

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    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from May 6, 2013
      Jensen, a former art critic, longtime art dealer, and perennial fan of the weird (his last book was The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins), explores the lives, love, and tragic ends of two superstars of the Big Top’s golden age, aerialist Lillian Leitzel and flyer Alfredo Codona. Both were born into the circus—Leitzel’s mother was a famed performer in Eastern Europe, and Alfredo’s family ran Mexico’s Gran Circo Codona. Leitzel began training on the Roman rings as a young child and made her professional debut in 1902 at just 12 years old—the same age as her mother when Leitzel was born. She became an instant star. She was performing with the legendary Barnum & Bailey Circus in Chicago less than 10 years later when Alfredo first set eyes on her and fell madly in love. Alfredo was determined to win the tiny trapeze artist and master the elusive and deadly Triple, consisting of three consecutive midair somersaults; a decade later he’d perfected the stunt, and shortly thereafter he and Leitzel, a fiery couple, were wed. What follows is a shocking and heartbreaking dénouement. Artfully choreographed, this act is sure to draw big audiences. 27 b&w photos. Agent: Eileen Cope, Trident Media Group.

    • Kirkus

      May 15, 2013
      A story of circus fame and all its accompanying troubles from the years when the "greatest show on Earth" was at its glamorous best. Art dealer and former Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel art critic Jensen (The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins, 2006, etc.) sets out to explain why his subject, Lillian Leitzel (1891-1931), was so beloved in her time. Born into a circus family and trained from an early age on the trapeze and rings, her talent was clearly special. She moved easily from a family show to her own success and fame, and Jensen documents the entire road. The author provides an adequate biography, but he doesn't make it obvious why readers today should care. His initial descriptions of her aerial abilities and parentage are arresting, but as the narrative progresses, it starts to feel stale. Leitzel's signature move may have been amazing to behold, but words can only go so far in describing the visual wonder. Despite Jensen's constant reminders about her salary, her living arrangements and her diva style, it is easy to overlook why she was crowned as performing royalty. Interwoven with Leitzel's take of fame is the love story between Leitzel and Alfredo Codona, a trapeze artist. Fraught with the obstacles of chaperones, spouses and danger, the story of the affair is full of intrigue. The community, dedication and the transient nature of the circus are a fantastic backdrop for the action, but those looking for a broader exploration of the entire community should look elsewhere. This book revolves around Leitzel and Alfredo. Despite the inherent tension in the world of the circus and the whiff of glamour surrounding the circus queen, her story will appeal mostly to true circus enthusiasts.

      COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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  • English

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