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)

Immaculate imaginations!!!

Narration was brilliant!!! My soul and heart ached for such an adventure!! Beautifully written story!

Wonderful book to loose yourself in

Back in the mid 70’s I would sit on my grandfathers knee while he would drink his morning coffee on a lazy weekend mornings. He would tell me stories in between sharing home made oatmeal cookies. This book reminded me of those times. Vividly painting the story and pulling me in wanting more. I highly recommend listening when you can be a can take your time and just let it all unfold. Listening while driving does not do this book credit. Ms Morgenstern thank you reawakening this now old man’s heart.

A Dreamy Circus

This was a beautiful story, But I got lost a few times. Not only was the time line a little difficult to follow as it jumped around, but it was hard to understand the relationships as they developed between characters.

The premise is that the circus is the platform for a magical competition between two men. However the men have gotten so old that they that they no longer compete with each other directly, but rather use representatives whom they themselves have trained.

I hate to say that I'd like a longer story, but I could envision this being a trilogy where more detail is provided in between, and relationships are given the opportunity to evolve, and the reader is able to follow the story more easily.

Having said all that, I wanted to reiterate that the story itself is creative and interesting. The narrator does a credible job of using his voice and accents so that one can distinguish between many of the characters. He might have done a better job with the female characters.

It is not my favorite book of the year, but once I once I was able to get into the story I had no trouble at all finishing it. I would recommend it to someone who enjoys a blend of romance, fantasy and intrigue.

Amazing!

This was incredible! The story was like a puzzle and the narration was fantastic. I felt like I was transported into the circus

Enthralling

Draws you in with an elegant prose and deeply interesting story. The characters were lovely and likable.

Great story, great voicings

The story is good and the story tell does a great job. The voicings in the audible books do blend a bit together so it is hard to tell different characters apart at times.

Third time through the book, still amazing.

Although I've listened to this story many times, but it continues to hold up. I love the journey it takes me on, and I wish each read-through was the first time.

My favorite book

I have read and listened to this book more than once a year since it’s publication. It is the fictional place I would most like to visit, and I feel like I am finding new paths and tents each time I visit the Cirque.

Wonderful

Such a beautifully descriptive story with wonderful characters. Don’t know how it took me so long to stumble onto The Night Circus. And Honestly can’t say enough about the fantastic way Jim Dale’s voice guides you through.

A wonderful beautiful book

I absolutely adored this book...the world building is amazing...the characters are very easy to fall in love with...the descriptions are so detailed and delicate... the love story at the heart of this book is so engrossing and I found myself routing for them to win...I love the circus and it was the perfect setting for a fantasy story....I highly recommend this book.