Book 1: Chapter 1, The Nuclear Family: His Talk, Her Teeth Summary

The novel follows the life of Olympia Binewski, a.k.a. Hopalong McGurk, from her childhood to her death. Olympia tells the story of her family, the Binewskis, and their unique lifestyle as owners of the Binewski Fabulon, a traveling circus specializing in freaks.

The chapter starts out with Oly and her siblings listening to their Papa tell the story of how he met their mother. Papa is the owner of a traveling circus called "Binewski's Fabulon." He met Lillian Hinchcliff when she volunteered to be a Geek that summer. A Geek is the person who rips the heads off still-alive chickens as a novelty act. The mother also tells them that the greatest gift you can give your children is the "inherent ability to earn a...