Mon, April 30, 2012
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Book Review
The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern
Publication date: Sept. 13, 2011
Doubleday, 387 pages
Source: Library (in the Bahamas!)
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.
Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.
— Goodreads.com description
What is there to say about The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern that hasn’t been said in the thousands of reviews that beat me to the punch?
This book is so good. The Night Circus is a gorgeous story, beautifully visualized and imaginatively written.
Morgenstern captures the unbelievable fantasy of magic and its darker underside by weaving together tragic and hopeful stories from the many larger-than-life characters who live their lives under the Night Circus big top. Seeing these stories connect, piece by piece, is a stunning experience. To say it’s magical is worthy of an eye roll, I know, but that’s simply the best way to put it.
I am, without a doubt, going to recommend this one to my book club in the future. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is an adult book I’m really glad I read, and one that will appeal to all types of readers.
12 Comments
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About Me
I read. A lot. Mostly whatever YA novels the library has on hold for me that week. Sometimes grown-up books if my book club makes me.
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Melissa @ Coffee, Books and Laundry said:
I started this book numerous times but don’t get very far. I keep reading wonderful reviews on it, but I also hear that the beginning is kind of slow. I just need to plow ahead.
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
Estelle said:
I have to say — I’m super surprised you liked this one. I have two trusted reader friends who both got through the whole thing but didn’t like it for the same reasons. Not sure I’ll be picking it up anytime soon BUT what I really wanted to comment on was you going to the LIBRARY in the BAHAMAS? That is dedication, girl. For real. haha
Estelle recently posted..Magan: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
Alyssa @ Books Take You Places said:
LOVED this book. I listened to the audiobook by Jim Dale AND asked for the hardcover for Christmas
glad you liked it too!!
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
April @ Books And Wine said:
I won’t roll my eyes! I thought The Night Circus was magical as well, and omg how badly did you want to eat the food Morgenstern describes?
April @ Books And Wine recently posted..Return To The Seven Kingdoms With Bitterblue: Giveaway
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
Kyle @ A Reader’s Pensieve said:
I really liked this one too! It’s such a great example of how to “show, not tell” when writing. I recommend this one a lot and am so glad you liked it!
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
capillya said:
My book club that I’m not really officially a part of (and they keep harassing me about) read this one and they all loved it! And that cover is GAWGEOUS.
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
Anne said:
This does seem like a great book to use for a book club. There are lots of things that can be discussed, both plot-wise and nuts-and-bolts-wise. Let us know what your book club thinks!
Anne recently posted..Media Review: War Horse
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
Jennifer said:
I got this book a while ago, but I haven’t been able to read it yet. The more I hear about it, the more I’m convinced I need to just read it already. Sounds like it’s amazing.
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
manda-rae said:
I thought this book was well written and good. But it still left me mind-boggled. To this day, I’m still not sure if that was a good or a bad thing. I’d definitely recommend it for a book club. Great review!
manda-rae recently posted..Release Day and Giveaway: Unicorn Keep by Angelia Almos
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Julia @ That Hapa Chick said:
I was not actually a big fan of this book but I’m glad you loved it! It’s definitely a good one for book club discussions though.
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
Melanie @thedailyprohecy said:
I’m hearing so many great things about this book. It’s on my need-to-buy-it list! I’m going to give it a try very soon, thanks for the review.
Melanie @thedailyprohecy recently posted..Top 10 Tuesday (9)
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012
We Heart YA said:
Yay, so glad you loved it! We too thought it was magical — even though, yes, like some have said, it’s slow. Supposedly it’s been optioned for film. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see the circus on the big screen?!
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Posted on: Mon, April 30, 2012