Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

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!

25 comments:

  1. "Reading this book was like having my most wondrous dream become a reality. It’s simply enchanting."

    Well said!! I just loved the beautiful descriptions and writing, so much so that it didn't bother me that the main characters were not as well developed as they could have been. One of the best books I read in 2011! Glad you loved it, too.

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  2. When I finished this book, I wanted to go right out and buy a red scarf :)

    It was visually, so appealing and yet there weren't many graphics to speak of besides the endpapers, the cover and the b&w openings to each chapter.

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  3. Amy, this is such a beautifully written review that I am more convinced than ever that I must read the book!

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  4. This is an awesome book. I just got the library book on my kindle again last night so I've been able to pick up where I left off a couple of weeks ago. It is a magical story.

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  5. ANNA: Thank you! You're right about Marco and Celia not being developed as much as they could have been. After reading your comment, I reread part of my review and realized that in my editing zeal I erased a sentence that said something about even though Marco and Celia are probably the most developed characters I wished to know more about them! Oh well! It didn't really detract from the book or bother me much, either, which is interesting. I guess because of the magical, dreamlike quality of the story. I think it was one of 2011's best books, too!

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  6. TI: Yes, a red scarf! I loved that part especially when Bailey was given one.
    I loved the cover and the spine with the black & white stripes with red trim. I also loved the graphics sprinkled throughout the book. Nothing really fance but I liked turning a page and seeing the black & white stripes and the pages next to new chapters that were sprinkled with stars and then a couple pages with swirlies. I thought it added to the festive, magical quality a bit!

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  7. This was such a beautiful and eloquent review, and I am so glad that you loved this one so much. I didn't really have a problem with the amount of development in the characters like some did, because there was just so much here to stimulate the senses that I kind of filled in the missing pieces myself. Definitely a favorite and one of the most creative books I have come across in a long time.

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  8. KATHLEEN: Thank you! I was so happily surprised by this book and really enjoyed reading it. I was sad when I finished it. I suggest, if possible read a hardcover copy. I think they did a beautiful job with those books and the cover image comes out of the pages of the book.

    I hope you enjoy the book!

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  9. JOJO: Yes it is! I'm glad you are enjoying it so much! It's great you got the e-book from your library so you can finish it!

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  10. ZIBILEE: Thank you! I think it's probably one of the most creative books I've read. I noticed that there wasn't a lot of character development but it didn't bother me because I thought it fit with the book. Also, as you pointed out, you can fill in some of the missing info yourself.
    I'm glad you enjoyed this book, too!

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  11. I've been hesitating on this book since I don't read much fantasy either. It sounds like I need to give it a try.

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  12. I can't wait to find some time to read this one. I've had it for ages and so many people have loved it. I really love the cover. It was one of the first things that really captured my attention. I'm glad you liked it so much. You wrote a terrific review!

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  13. I pickedthis one up at a library sale on bag day, so I git the beautiful hardcover for something like a quarter! I'm looking forward to delving in.

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  14. I enjoyed this as well. DOn't you just want to see a movie adaptation of this one?

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  15. I like your comment about the characters being developed only to the point that is necessary to the role. A number of people have been unhappy with character development overall. I have this book, but refrained from reading it because there for awhile we were flooded with reviews! I will get to it at some point. I love a book that appeals to the senses!

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  16. Wonderful review Amy. I thought this was great, the world she creates is just amazing. I was very surprised at how much I liked this one as I don't read fantasy as a rule. The only thing that I was less than thrilled with was the ending, but that doesn't stop me from recommending it all the time.

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  17. Wonderful review. I have not read this but will have to put it one my list. Are you still reading Murakami? Wonder what you think. I am still reading 1Q84. Really like it.

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  18. I hadn't expected to love this one as much as I did. Glad it was a hit with you as well.

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  19. I've been avoiding this because of the fantasy/magic elements, but your review has me rethinking that position. Very well done, Amy... I'm adding it to my wishlist.

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  20. What a great review! It is so great to find a book that reaches your soul like this one did for you.

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  21. I get excited everytime I see such a positive review of this one--especially when the characters are mentioned (I've heard things like the characters being flat). I can't wait to eventually get to this one!

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  22. I might borrow this from the library to read on my Kindle on PC. I liked the reviews I've read.

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  23. I'll confess … I was ready to dislike this book after seeing so many raves. But it is kind of impossible NOT to like it. It is an amazing feat of imagination. Wonderful review!

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  24. People either seem to love this book...or not. We can see where you stand!

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  25. Great review-I thought that this was simply an enchanting novel.

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