Apollo & Thelma: A True Tall Tale
Australian History Memoir Biography Family Saga Circus History Migration Stories Performance History
Apollo & Thelma: A True Tall Tale is the extraordinary 2022 hardcover memoir from beloved Australian broadcaster Jon Faine that delivers a sweeping family saga stretching from the glittering circus tents of early 20th-century America to the quiet suburbs of Melbourne. In this richly illustrated biography, Faine unravels the improbable love story between his uncle Apollo—an elephant-trainer and wire-walker who once performed for crowned heads of Europe—and Thelma, a runaway teenager who joined the circus and became a star equestrienne. Their larger-than-life adventures under the big top, wartime heroics, and eventual reinvention in Australia make for a narrative so vivid it reads like fiction, yet every page is anchored by meticulous research and family keepsakes.
What sets this first-edition hardcover apart for collectors is its pristine, smoke-free condition: crisp, unmarked pages, intact dust jacket, and no inscriptions or shelf-wear—perfect for gifting or display. The book’s generous full-colour illustrations reproduce vintage circus posters, family photographs, and never-before-seen memorabilia that transport readers straight into the sawdust ring. Young-adult and adult readers alike will relish the way Faine interweaves personal memory with social history, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the enduring magic of show business.
Searchers hunting for “Jon Faine Apollo & Thelma first edition hardcover,” “Australian circus biography,” or “illustrated true tall tale memoir” will find this copy an ideal addition to any collection of Australiana, performance history, or narrative non-fiction. With its 2022 publication date, the title is already gaining traction among book-club enthusiasts and vintage-circus aficionados, ensuring both reading pleasure and future collectability.
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