For me, this was an enchanted novel written by a true magician. Reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is like being in a lucid dream. A part of you realizes you’re reading a book, but mostly you’re lost in its depths.
I have to say, be careful where you read this thing. It’s totally possible to forget where you are, how to cross a street, how to stir the soup, or whatever it is you are trying to do while reading. The book takes you over.
But let’s marvel at the magician – I mean the writer. How does one even begin to write in the second person, at times the first person, and the third person – all in the present tense? All with a rich, turn-of-the-century feel, an attention to detail, and a story and timelines that run on many levels? With places and settings you can walk through yourself, not just watch the characters walk through it. With characters that are sorcerers and real people, at the same time?
And even with all this sorcery, the experience feels as smooth as resting your head on a pillow.
This is a sweet, dreamy read. I was hoping it would never end.
I read this for the first time this year and it was enchanting.
I still cannot believe that after all these years, a movie version has not come to fruition!
yes exactly
Agreed! I love this book. It absolutely enchants the reader, such a page turner!
Didn’t like it but read it in a difficult moment in my life.
Just don’t expect the same from her second book. It is radically different.
The Starless Sea is just as magical. Think about it often.
OP, you should check out Heartless (by Marissa Meyers, I believe).
Thank you, I will check it out!
Meh, this book to me was a super cool idea and had massive potential but was really wasted. It was really, really boring and neither of the main characters were particularly likable. There was essentially was no plot, just pages and pages of descriptions, somewhere in the middle the secrets of the circus were uncovered and all the magic was gone.
The audio book absolutely transported me to another dimension. It was incredible.
Thank you, kath, I will certainly get the audio book!
About 10 years ago, I listened to this on an audiobook (or the equivalent to the technology at the time) while I was training for a half marathon. The daylight savings time change occurred a few weeks prior when I started the book so even though it was only like 5pm, I was running in the dark. It was very surreal, listening to this in the dark as I was running. It became even more surreal as people started putting up their Christmas lights. I kind of felt like I was experiencing the book in some way. It gives me a weird feeling just recollecting it.