The Night Circus

A Novel

By: Erin Morgenstern

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's 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.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

©2011 Erin Morgenstern (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

" The Night Circus made me happy. Playful and intensely imaginative, Erin Morgenstern has created the circus I have always longed for, and she has populated it with dueling love-struck magicians, precocious kittens, hyper-elegant displays of beauty, and complicated clocks. This is a marvelous book." (Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife)

"Self-assured, entertaining debut that blends genres and crosses continents in quest of magic…. Generous in its vision and fun to read. Likely to be a big book—and, soon, a big movie, with all the franchise trimmings." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Debut author Morgenstern doesn't miss a beat in this smashing tale of greed, fate, and love... a giant, magical story destined for bestsellerdom. This is an electric debut on par with Special Topics in Calamity Physics." ( Publishers Weekly)

Engaging Victorian Era Magical Fantasy

Richly detailed, serious-minded fantasy. Well-developed, endearing characters. Captivating romantic storyline. True to historical setting.

Magical Read

I have listened to The Night Circus several times and it is always a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The narrator is excellent and the story is beautifully written. The story is a dark, magical experience every time.

I enjoyed this magic twisting story.

This book was clever and interesting. I enjoyed figuring out what kind of game they where playing. The ending was good.

Starts, really strong and original, but fades

Really original story line with a really compelling initial development, but loses it along the way.

Wonderful Images

Morgenstern brought me to the Night Circus using all of my senses. I could feel the cold of the ice garden, I could taste the circus food and having grown up around antique clocks I enjoyed visualizing the many clocks. The characters were complex with some dark and some with wonderful fantasy. I wanted both Marco and Celia to succeed. I will look for more books by this author.

Magical.

Jim dale bring his incredible talent to this haunting and lovely story full of stunning imagery. Sure to be a classic in your audio library that you will want to listen to over and over again. Join us, reveur!

Like a Dream

What did you love best about The Night Circus?

This book has so many incredible visual moments that make your really feel like your at the circus.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Night Circus?

I loved the part where Cecilia is trying out for circus and turns her coat into birds. So mytical and sound like cheap parlor trick until you find out more.

What does Jim Dale bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

All the voices are so great! He really gives it this air or mystery.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Of course when Cecilia takes Marco to the other side to be together forever.

Any additional comments?

I'm going to suggest it to many friends. Just a real pleasure to listen to.

If you have nothing else to listen to ...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Speed up the action.

If you’ve listened to books by Erin Morgenstern before, how does this one compare?

This was my first.

Did Jim Dale do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Jim Dale is wonderful, but even he has only so many voices. Sometimes I thought I was listening to Harry & Hermoine.

Could you see The Night Circus being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I can see a teen movie w/ typical teen stars.

Any additional comments?

A good story. Alittle too slow ... too ... drawn ... out.

A good story.

I would like a sequel of this book I thought the audio performance was very good

so boring

i couldn't even finish the book, it's so slow and drones on and on. the story could be good, maybe it would make a better movie