The Dreaming Jewels

A taut magical realism story with solid SF under-pinnings. Horty is a young orphan who, abused by his step-father, runs away and gets picked up by a strange group of carnies. Impersonating a girl midget, he lives for several years on the road with the carnival. But there is something different about Horty - and about the Maneater, the sinister figure who runs the carnival...

Sturgeon weaves a wonderfully realized tale of humans who are enthralled and endowed with super-human talents by the hidden powers of an ancient species - The Dreaming Jewels.

First published in 1950, this is one of the better stories I have read from that era. For character development alone, it stands head & shoulders above much of the 'Golden Age' material of the time. If you happen upon a copy of this out of print gem - grab it before the next person does!