Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
Fantasy
Published: 2011
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there when yesterday it was not.

I finally read one of the most buzzed-about books of 2011! It's new to paperback this week, so even more reason to check it out.

The Night Circus is a mysterious traveling magical circus. The story takes place during the late 1800s through the turn of the century, with a myriad cast of characters involved in creating, performing and attending the circus. As a reader, you are also a particpant in the illusions of the circus, the rich imagry and fantastical wonders as it unfolds for you. You understand the circus in snippets, but not entirely until you are already pretty invested in the story.

Behind the magic, a competition takes place between two young magicians who aren't informed who they are fighting, for what purpose or even what they are supposed to do. The competition is as much a mystery as the circus, and it's all a secret. It's kind of like The Illusionist meets Cirque de Soliel mixed with Water for Elephants.

This is the book everyone read last year and it made lots of year-end lists. It's intriguing, and quite different than other books out there. It's clever, funny at times and of course, mysterious.

6 comments:

  1. "It's kind of like The Illusionist meets Cirque de Soliel mixed with Water for Elephants." Colour me intrigued...

    I haven't picked this one up yet because it feels like one of those books you have to be in just the right mood to read. Also, the $50 million price tag in hardback was a little much. lol Good to know it's out in paperback. Then again, I suppose I could have just signed it out of the library...

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! :)

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  2. I loved this one. Haunting and beautiful with a mystery and sigh. The audio was great too... I love Jim Dale. He did a great job narrating.

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  3. Nice review, I didn't love this one but I can see why people would be blown away by the great writing if they don't mind the tedious plot.

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  4. Writing about 1800 needs a lot research I suppose.

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  5. Hi, cool review! Here's mine if you don't mind: http://lorxiebookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-night-circus-by-erin-morgenstern.html

    Thanks and have a very nice day! :)

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  6. I wasn't so keen on reading this book but a friend raved about it and when I started reading I was drawn in.
    It is so clever and unusual. Well written.
    website for Halibut Fishing Alaska, The Best

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