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)

Best. Book. Ever.

Just read it again after about 7 years and fell in love all over again. Leading a book club on it tonight!

Good book but not for audio

I’ve read this book before and enjoyed it. The story is not linear though so it is not good for audio listening.

The Night Circus

Any additional comments?

First off I bought this because Jim Dale narrated and I love how he reads a book, this was not a disappointment, he is wonderful. I really liked this book, kind of a fantasy for adults, it was refreshing to have to go a little deeper. I would have loved to have my teens read this but there was one part that I was concerned about, I dont know might still let them. The good messages outweigh. but all in all great book, kind I didnt want to turn off.

very descriptive and beautifully imaginative.

Would you listen to The Night Circus again? Why?

It would make a delightful movie with incredible special effects. The characters were well written.

Superb in Every Way

The Night Circus captured my attention and imagination like no other book since Mark Helprin's A Winters Tale. The writing is exquisite and enhanced by Jim Dale's perfect reading. The story is unique and intricate with its jumps through time and place. The ending was delightful, and left me smiling, and searching for more books by Erin Morgenstern. It is my new favorite book!

Andrea Ptak (hubby's Amazon account)

Good book, slow start

I almost gave up on this book a few times but I am glad I didn't. It was great at the end! Great for all ages.

Confusing

What did you like best about The Night Circus? What did you like least?

In all honesty, I love Jim Dale, but not even he could help me understand this book. All the flipping between people and time periods left me unable to follow and sadly, I couldn't bring myself to actually care about the main characters. Possibly if I read a hard copy, I'll follow better.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

More focus on the main characters and less on the sides.

Which character – as performed by Jim Dale – was your favorite?

Narrator.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Possibly? Depends on the cast.

totally awesome story!

I had read the book before and lived it so much I decided to listen to it. The story turned out to be even better the second time! A favorite for sure!

Great story and excellent narration

I loved this story and the way it was told. the characters were well developed and the story pulls you in.

A dream not to be missed

The Night Circus audio book is a feast for the senses more than anything I've ever read, and the narrator is phenomenal. I've never been so transported by a tale as in this one. You can't help but drink deeply of it's rich, dark flavor.