Chrissy’s Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus
written by Erin Morgenstern
published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I read a few reviews and thought it looked interesting.

Did I enjoy this book: I loved it. It was fantastic, fascinating,  enchanting, enthralling, attention getting . . . I read every free chance I possibly had and I didn’t want it to end.

I really enjoyed that as I was reading the book, it wasn’t as if I was just reading it . . . it was as if I were observing it firsthand. Like I was there watching everything unfold . . . not just reading about it later. I felt like I was a part of the story itself. Maybe it was because the author had descriptions of “you” walking through various parts of the circus, “you” were seeing the attractions and smelling the smells. Even though these parts were here and there, that feeling of “you” being there carried throughout the entire story.

The details were so vivid . . . even though the circus was black and white . . . the colors were described so wonderfully. The circus acts and various tents were described with such detail that I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.

Even the cover art reeled me in. I am not one to judge a book by its cover but the cover is sometimes a deciding factor. That’s just the way it is. And this cover means so much more once you’ve read the entire book.

And the end . . . OH MY GOODNESS. I wanted to go back to the beginning and start it all over again. If you’ve read it, you’ll know which line I mean that made me want to read the story again.

Would I recommend it: ABSOLUTELY!!! I may have to suggest it to my book group.

Will I read it again: ABSOLUTELY!!! I would love to read it again right away but I’m going to give myself some time and reread it in a few months or so. (I have a lot of books on my to-read and to-reread list.)

About the book – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: “The circus arrives without warning” begins this novel about a circus that only operates at night. The Night Circus is actually known as Le Cirque de Reves, or the Circus of Dreams. And that is what it is…a dream world in reality.

The tents are all connected by various paths, mazes, corridors, and courtyards. All of the performers and circus workers are dressed in black, white, and shades of gray. The clock at the entrance of the circus is enough to mesmerize any and all who enter. This is a masterpiece by Herr Friedrick Thiessen who becomes a reveur…someone who follows the circus around wherever it goes just to keep experiencing it. The reveurs are devoted followers who have adopted the color scheme as their wardrobe except for a scarf or flower, or some accessory that they wear in a vivid red color. This is how they know one another in the crowd and apart from the circus itself.

However, little do the patrons know that this circus is actually the scene — the arena — for a competition between two “magicians.” Celia Bowen, the daughter of Prospero the Enchanter (aka Hector Bowen), is the circus illusionist. Marco, the student and adopted son of the man in the grey suit (aka Mr. A. H—), is the assistant to the circus founder, Chandresh Lefevre. Actually, the founders of the circus do not know the extent of this undertaking and what it means for everyone involved.

As the circus grows, the love story unfolds. Different tents and exhibits appear as love notes to and from each of the competitors. The Ice Garden, the Pool of Tears, the carousel, the Wishing Tree, the Cloud Maze. All part of the competition, all part of the love being expressed to each competitor.

When is enough enough? When is the winner decided? Does the circus cease to exist?

If you have read it, let me know what you think!!!