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)

Amazing book

I picked this book mostly because I love Jim Dale, but the book in itself is superb. I could see this being a great book from kids in middle school all the way up to adults. The story is complex enough that you don’t see some things coming, the characters have depth, and the ending is on point. Best book I’ve listened to in a while!!

Enchanting beyond measure!

This is the most wonderful and beautiful book I’ve read since Harry Potter! This book will make your year and Jim dale is perfection as always.

Love this Book

I read this book for the first time last year and loved it but when I saw the audible version was narrated by Jim Dale I knew I had to have it. The Magic and the love and the voice Jim Dale puts to the story is just perfect!

Exquisite Story....Hated the Narrators Voice

I’m so glad I read the actual book before deciding to listen to it. The choice of the narrator, in my opinion, was horrible. It should have either been a woman or a younger man. He did not do justice to these amazing characters. So disappointed.

A nice listen

Interesting story, a few fun characters, a good premise, and enjoyable atmosphere.

The main relationship felt forced and unrealistic. I found it hard to care for the couple because of this. This same relationship, being a main part of the inner tension of the narrative, if it had more emotional context, would have made the story better if written with the focus being on emotional development rather than physical sentiments. Maybe that's why I found Marco to be unlikeable.

Frankly, I thought the more innocent, and sweeter interactions between Bailey and Poppette to be a more charming one. I also found Bailey's side of the story to be more interesting as I found him to be the more likeable character.

Very slow

Jim Dale was amazing of course but the book itself was very slow and uneventful. I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters and it felt like the author spent more time on descriptions rather than actual character development. Great idea, poor execution.

amazing

I could not love this book any more than I already do. it's a true work of art. everything about this book is **magical**

Fantastical and fun

What if the secrets holding what is real in place were suspended for some? What if the magician’s tricks were, in fact, not tricks at all but instead a fantastical, reality-bending mystery? And what if you could visit this world, at night, in circus tents and amongst the traveling troop? These are the questions at the heart of Erin Morgenstern’s ‘The Night Circus.’ Narration by Jim Dale elevated the tale in the way only the best narrators can. Highly enjoyable and fun.

Loved it!!

Magical, mysterious, and romantic. I was addicted instantly. Jim Dale also! Need I say more?

Excellent Story

loved this story!
presentation was wonderful!
will highly recommend.
I read while fashioning a quilt.