skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Date Published: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Doubleday
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-0385534635
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5
Book Summary: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
My Thoughts: The Night Circus is an amazing book that engages all of your senses and impacts every emotion. I’ve read very few books with plots that involve fantasy and magic. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to read The Night Circus although I’ve always loved the circus. The reviews I read by bloggers and critics were extremely positive and then, one day while shopping in a bookstore, I saw a hardcover copy of this book for the first time. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful book with a gorgeous cover and very detailed graphics throughout the book. I didn’t hesitate to purchase a copy. When I read it, I discovered that the beautiful design of the book is lifted from the pages of this amazing story and Erin Morgenstern’s very detailed images of the circus.
Ms. Morgenstern transports you to a different world with her detailed, lush descriptions of every feature of the circus from the grass on which the circus tents sit to the food and drink available for the patrons. Reading this book was like having my most wondrous dream become a reality. It’s simply enchanting. The circus in these pages is called Le Cirque des Rêves, The Circus of Dreams because that’s what it is. Ms. Morgenstern’s alluring, lyrical and rich prose brings the vivid images of the circus to life enabling readers to ‘see‘ her vision in all its glory. Ever word feels specifically chosen to enhance Ms. Morgenstern’s amazingly creative vision I felt like I could see and smell the exhibits, the clothing and food detailed in these pages when I closed my eyes.
There’s a host of interesting, eccentric characters in The Night Circus. Many are developed only to the degree necessary for their role. Their secrets and mysterious nature serve to enhance the magical world of the circus. Celia and Marco, the main characters, are the most detailed, fully-developed. They are young children in the early chapters of the book when they are being educated and groomed to compete against one another. Marco is often evasive and remains a bit of an enigma for most of the book. There were several times in the story when I wasn’t sure he could be or should be trusted.
Celia is a sweet, smart young girl who grows into a mature, complex woman. She’s intelligent, kind, emotional, strong and reserved. Celia cannot separate her professional and her private life much as she’d like to. As her worlds become more hopelessly and inextricably intertwined, she struggles desperately to juggle what is required of her with what she desires seeking, as well, to avoid harming anyone. Celia knows something must be sacrificed to make everything work but she’s not sure what that is. Can she preserve the world of the circus and bring the competition to an end without anyone losing?
Le Cirque des Rêves is a world of beauty, elegance, laughter and light. But, as in many Sadness, worry, and uncertainly linger beneath the beauty and merriment heightening the suspense and mystery of the circus world. Ms. Morgenstern has searched the depths of her imagination to give us this captivating story thereby encouraging us to use our own imagination as we read The Night Circus. This is a book that must be read, experienced for anyone to fully understand the wonder and beauty in its pages. I highly recommend The Night Circus for everyone. You won’t be disappointed.
Erin Morgenstern’s website. Be sure to check it out!
Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Bermudaonion's Weblog where we share words encountered in our reading. Feel free to join in the fun (please do!) Be sure to leave a link to your post over at Bermudaonion's Weblog.
The following words are from No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie (ARC copy)
“The current, swift here as the river made its way towards the roar of the weir below Hambleden Mill, was a treacherous trap for the unwary or overconfident.”
1. Weir
: a dam in a stream or river to raise the water level or divert its flow
: a fence or enclosure set in a waterway for taking fish
“And if it meant leaving the Met, she would leave, but she would not be fobbed off quietly with a token gold watch and more hollow promises.”
2. Fob off
: to put (someone) off by deception or trickery
: to cheat someone by substituting something spurious or inferior; palm off
These words come from The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine
"She had grown up to be a snob, it was true. But she was only protecting what she thought was important. She had been officious even as a child."
1. Officious
: objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome
“If Amber had been rubbing their hands together and muttering how ‘umble she was, she could not have been more obsequious.”
2. Obsequious
: characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning
" And on and on it went, this sycophantic barrage."
3. Sycophant
: A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people; a fawning parasite
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea every Tuesday. In this meme, share the opening paragraph(s) of a book you've decided to read based on the paragraph(s). There was no question for me that I wanted to review this book after reading an excerpt from it. I’m really looking forward to experiencing this promising debut. A few different passages from this book can be found on-line, if you‘re interested.
Don't forget to drop by Bibliophile By the Sea and read Diane's selection this week and be sure to visit and read the contributions of other participants. Chances are you’ll find at least one book to add to your wish list!
Night Swim by Jessica Keener
Prelude
Mickey Fineburg’s email brings everything back again.
Hi, Sarah. Remembering those good ol’ days in the neighborhood. Saw your CDs online. Sampled the links. Wow! Impressive. How did you end up in California?
I kissed Mickey under a broken pool table in my basement. We were eight, his lips warm as play dough, pressing with earnest intention. I pressed back, happy and unafraid, oblivious to Mickey’s younger brother watching us. That night at the dinner table Mother looked stern and surprised. She said: Mickey’s mother called me. You’re too young to start, Sarah.
Start what? I wondered.
I do a quick search online. His company bio says he resides in Greenwich, Connecticut, after living in London for twenty-three years. Married with three children. I write Mickey back - “Thank you so much. I moved west after high school. Just read your company bio. Did you like living overseas?”
What are your thoughts about these 2 opening paragraphs? Would you read this book based on these paragraphs?
Welcome to Mailbox Monday, a weekly meme originally created and hosted by Marcia of A girl and her books and hosted this month by Alyce of At Home With Books. Below are the titles I received for review, purchased, or otherwise obtained over the course of the past week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists! I didn’t receive any review books this week but I did receive two books I’m really looking forward to reading!
Gillespie and I by Jane Harris (for review)
It would appear that I am to be the first to write a book on Gillespie. Who, if not me, was dealt that hand?
As she sits in her Bloomsbury home, with her two birds for company, elderly Harriet Baxter sets out to relate the story of her acquaintance, over four decades previously, with Ned Gillespie, a talented artist who never achieved the fame that she maintains he deserved.
Back in 1888, the young, art-loving Harriet arrives in Glasgow at the time of the International Exhibition. After a chance encounter, she befriends the Gillespie family and soon becomes a fixture in all of their lives. But when tragedy strikes - leading to a notorious criminal trial - the promise and certainties of this world all too rapidly disintegrate into mystery and deception.
Featuring a memorable cast of characters, infused with atmosphere and period detail, and shot through with wicked humour, Gillespie and I is a powerful and haunting second novel from one of today's most striking new voices.
Open City by Teju Cole (for review)
Along the streets of Manhattan, a young Nigerian doctor doing his residency wanders aimlessly. The walks meet a need for Julius: they are a release from the tightly regulated mental environment of work, and they give him the opportunity to process his relationships, his recent breakup with his girlfriend, his present, his past. Though he is navigating the busy parts of town, the impression of countless faces does nothing to assuage his feelings of isolation.
But it is not only a physical landscape he covers; Julius crisscrosses social territory as well, encountering people from different cultures and classes who will provide insight on his journey—which takes him to Brussels, to the Nigeria of his youth, and into the most unrecognizable facets of his own soul.
A haunting novel about national identity, race, liberty, loss, dislocation, and surrender, Teju Cole’s Open City seethes with intelligence. Written in a clear, rhythmic voice that lingers, this book is a mature, profound work by an important new author who has much to say about our country and our world.
Happy Snowy Sunday! I woke up to snow falling from the sky yesterday morning. It looked beautiful. There’s just a few inches on the ground. It’s already started to melt a little bit.
I didn’t realize until earlier today, when I was looking at my blog, that I haven’t posted since Wednesday. Huh! I had doctor appointments in NYC Thursday and Friday. The apptointments always take longer than I think they will. And those days are always tiring particularly when my doctor is running late or access-a-ride is really delayed or when there are several stops on the way home. So, I'm very happy that this week, I don’t have any doctor appointments, tests or procedures! Yay! a free week...hopefully it stays that way!
I planned to “redecorate” my blog a little bit yesterday, work on some posts and reviews, visit blogs and other fun things like that. But, late morning two kittens (9 or 10 months) were found abandoned pretty much on the front doorstep. Several neighbors knew what had happened, who was responsible but no one wanted to work at finding a home or shelter for the cute little guys....well, guy and gal. Yep, a boy and a girl! They’ll have to be spayed and neutered soon or these little ones will have some little ones of their own! So I spent a lot of time yesterday emailing vets, shelters, cat adoption agencies and similar people and places. It shocks me that people can just abandon dependant, innocent animals without much thought or care...and in this cold weather, too. At least take them to animal care & control or a vet or shelter. I’m trying to come up with something to call them for now better than kitty or cat. Ugh! This really ticks me off! Wish me luck finding some where for these kitties to live permanently or temporarily.
I’m going to, hopefully, spend some time reading The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño and more of Norwegian Wood which is a thin book but I’ve been taking my time with it, enjoying Murakami’s writing. That’s about it for today!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Happy Reading!
All the Flowers in Shanghai by Duncan JepsonISBN: 978-0062081605
Pages: 320
Release Date: January 2012
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Historical Fiction; Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Book Summary: For every young Chinese woman in 1930s Shanghai, following the path of duty takes precedence over personal desires .
For Feng, that means becoming the bride of a wealthy businessman in a marriage arranged by her parents. In the enclosed world of the Sang household—a place of public ceremony and private cruelty—fulfilling her duty means bearing a male heir. For every young Chinese woman in 1930s Shanghai, following the path of duty takes precedence over personal desires.
The life that has been forced on her makes Feng bitter and resentful, and she plots a terrible revenge. But with the passing years comes a reckoning, and Feng must reconcile herself with the sacrifices and terrible choices she has made in order to assure her place in the family and society—even as the violent, relentless tide of revolution engulfs her country.
My thoughts: All the Flowers in Shanghai is the story of Feng’s life as she looks back on it and records her memories. This book is light on plot focusing primarily on the character of Feng and, to a lesser degree, the people closest to her. Feng recounts much of her life with honesty and integrity, an act which requires great courage since she was an angry, bitter woman out for revenge most of her life.
Feng spent her childhood days, outside of school, with her grandfather in the gardens by her home. He taught her all about flowers and plants and about her deceased grandmother. Feng’s mother was busy grooming her older sister to marry a wealthy man and thereby establish their family in society. This was a time consuming undertaking providing Feng much freedom to do as she pleased. Her life was very simple, quite the opposite of her Sister’s (Feng never gave her a name) which was filled with glamorous clothes, makeup, social events and suitors. Feng had no understanding of Sister’s life and viewed it as one of extreme “complexity and sophistication” and considered her sister to be “far above her”.
Wedding plans were soon being made for Sister. Marriage isn’t part of Feng’s future plans. As the second daughter, it’s expected that she will live at home and take care of her parents as they age. Feng accepts this, showing no interest in a life like Sisters. Feng seems much younger than Sister although only 5 years separates them. Feng is sweet, happy and childlike, without any of her sister’s arrogance or scheming, conniving mind, but she’s also immature and naive. Feng’s freedom has spoiled her while the companionship of her grandfather, who she loves dearly has infantilized her. I was quite surprised to learn that Feng was 17 at this time.
The tone of the narrative changes considerably when, much to her shock and dismay, as well as the readers, Feng is married off to a wealthy family. A situation arises making it impossible for Sister to marry (which I won’t reveal here). Feng’s mother is too desperate to be a part of wealthy society and insists that Feng marry in Sister’s place! Feng is given very little notice or time to prepare herself for such a monumental change. Feng’s life changes completely in a matter of days. Her pain and hurt are palpable particularly when her father and her grandfather, the two people who’ve always loved and supported her, don’t object to the arrangement or come to her defense. Feng feels betrayed and utterly alone. Her writing about her feelings at this time, is so stark and honest that I felt overwhelmed by her pain, sadness and dismay.
Feng’s last few days in her home are a whirlwind of activity. She’s an automaton going through the motions in terrible shock. Grandfather completely abandons her, leaving the house for several days. Suddenly, Feng finds herself glamorously dressed standing in a resplendent room in a huge house, tears running down her face as the three day wedding ceremony begins. The strange, unfamiliar surroundings intensify Feng’s already overwhelming pain and hurt. The seeds of anger that will mark her days for years to come, are already sprouting as she experiences her first truly cruel thoughts. They are directed at her family. Feng’s once light and carefree spirit is curdling in the pit of her stomach as the pain and hurt turn into anger and bitterness. Xiong Fa, her new husband, is a nice, kind man, if a little immature, and willing to make things work and even fall in love. But Feng has difficulty not viewing him as an enemy. She’s been provided a maid, Yan, who is kind and tender towards her and Feng relies on her these first days of her marriage.
Feng is soon unrecognizable as the young, simple girl she used to be. She has all the material things she wants and, aside from daily meals with the family, little is asked of her. But she’s miserable and truly angry. The pain and hurt she feels doesn’t lessen over time but grows as she harbors thoughts of revenge. Any new pain adds fuel to the fire. She tells about the families obsession with a male heir. Feng is expected to produce one as soon as possible. Feng knows this but has absolutely no idea how it’s accomplished. And she doesn’t like it at all when she finds out. Having no understanding about life and how to make things work, Feng behaves in ways that make life difficult and unpleasant for herself and her new husband. My thoughts and feeling were all over the place at this point in my reading. I wanted to shake Feng and slap some sense into her. But I also felt badly for her and just wanted to hug her. I found it infuriating that so much angst over the male heir could have been avoided if Feng’s mother or somebody talked to her about men and women and relationships.
Feng grows to appreciate many of the finer things her new family’s money can be. Xiong Fa gives her beautiful and generous gifts she enjoys. Feng soon loves the glamorous, rich clothes and accessories along with the respect and deference the public shows her. It’s not long before Feng understands the power that comes with this kind of wealth. She begins to behave in accordance, exercising her power, treating people from family members to servants with unkindness and disdain. Feng learns how to manipulate people as a woman with wealth, status and power. She also discovers how to use her body and sex against Xiong Fa. As the weeks, months and years pass, Feng becomes more selfish, cruel and ugly as intense anger and bitterness fester inside her. She exacts revenge whenever possible for perceived wrongs against her, behaving in truly reprehensible ways. She doesn’t grow as a person, mature or take responsibility for anything she says or does and she shows no respect for others. It was difficult to like Feng or to continue to understand why she was like this never mind sympathize with her. Feng looks at everything from the perspective of how it impacts her. Anger and bitterness has made her weak, self-centered alone.
I tried to believe in and root for Feng for most of the book but she really disappointed me the last six or seven chapters of the book. I thought she was courageous to record her life story for her family but when the time came to own up to her behavior once and for all, she took the coward’s way out. And, although I think she’s very honest about some parts of her life, I also think she doesn’t own up to everything that she did and left some things buried that she didn‘t want to face. For instance, I was hoping to learn more about her relationship with Yan, which changes and becomes more formal. Not surprisingly, Feng took care of this with a sentence or two failing to provide a truthful explanation.
This is an emotionally powerful and intense book. Duncan Jepson’s writing is engaging and this story captivated me from the first page even though there‘s only one major character and no real plot. I was intrigued to learn about marriage traditions and the role of women in 1930’s China. I thought it interesting that most of the male characters were quiet and meek, susceptible to manipulation or, in the case of Feng’s father-in-law, arrogant and pompous. I suppose this is because Feng didn’t think highly of the men in her life and this is her story. There’s little character development of any of the other characters which is, again, a symptom of this being Feng‘s story and, therefore, all about her. Feng’s behavior, when her friend Ming tells her she’s moving to America evidences how self-centered Feng is. She becomes irate, feeling that Ming is abandoning her and worries about who she’ll confide in now. She shows little concern for Ming’s welfare despite that she and her husband are leaving because they are worried about the state of China under Chairman Mao. Feng is a very damaged, stuck woman for most of her life but her story is absorbing and hard to ignore. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy strong mail characters with riveting stories to tell!
Duncan Jepson’s website: All the Flowers in Shanghai
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review All the Flowers in Shanghai and to William Morrow for an ARC copy of this book.
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea every Tuesday. In this meme share the opening paragraph(s) of a book you've decided to read based on that paragraph(s). I’m participating in Orange January being hosted by Jill at The Magic Lasso. This book was nominated for the Orange Prize several years ago. I have read two other books by this author, one of which was fantastic, the other just okay. I’m interested to see what I think about this book which looks promising based on the premise!
Don't forget to drop by Bibliophile By the Sea and read Diane's selection this week and be sure to visit and read the contributions of other participants. Chances are you’ll find at least one book to add to your wish list!
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
At eight o'clock in the evening, the Baltimore airport was nearly deserted. The wide gray corridors were empty, and the newsstands were dark, and the coffee shops were closed. Most of the gates had admitted their last flights. Their signboards were blank and their rows of vinyl chairs unoccupied and ghostly.
But you could hear a distant hum, a murmur of anticipation, at the far end of Pier D. You could see an overexcited child spinning herself into dizziness in the center of the corridor, and then a grownup popping forth to scoop her up and carry her, giggling and squirming, back into the waiting area. And a latecomer, a woman in a yellow dress, was rushing toward the gate with an armful of long-stemmed roses.
Step around the bend, then, and you'd come upon what looked like a gigantic baby shower. The entire waiting area for the flight from San Francisco was packed with people bearing pink- and blue-wrapped gifts, or hanging on to flotillas of silvery balloons printed with IT'S A GIRL! and trailing spirals of pink ribbon. A man gripped the wicker handle of a wheeled and skirted bassinet as if he planned to roll it onto the plane, and a woman stood ready with a stroller so chrome-trimmed and bristling with levers that it seemed capable of entering the Indy 500. At least half a dozen people held video cameras, and many more had regular cameras slung around their necks. A woman spoke into a tape recorder in an urgent, secretive way. The man next to her clasped an infant's velour-upholstered car seat close to his chest.
What are your thoughts about these 2 opening paragraphs? Would you read this book based on these paragraphs?
Posts
