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)

Magical

What a fun and creative story! The narration was perfect and it threw me into the depths of this amazing world without as much as a bump in the road. Not to give too much away, but the love story is one for the ages. I felt the pace of the story was perfect and the descriptions or the circus were well suited for the imagination. It is a bit heavy for young readers, I am not sure what a good age would be to read this, but for adults this is a must read (listen).

Enthralling trip into another world!

What made the experience of listening to The Night Circus the most enjoyable?

Jim Dale's narration!! He was able to lead me through the various time changes and back story so that I could enjoy the moment.

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

When the main characters finally found out who the other was.

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

I chose to read this book because of Jim Dale. I listened to all the Harry Potter, which he narrated, and I just knew this would be great!! He brings such definition to the characters, the humor, the sadness - and he diffferentiates each one from the other. I would read any book Jim Dale narrates!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I like to make them last as I ride in my car, doing errands, going to and from work - it provides me with another world to escape into.

You will believe in magic again

Would you listen to The Night Circus again? Why?

This story was fabulous. I loved the characters. I absolutely would listen to it again I did not want it to end I really hope their is a second story picking up with the twins where this story left off.

What other book might you compare The Night Circus to and why?

This book truly is in a category by its self. I could loosely compare it to the magic and wonder evoked by the first Harry Potter but at the same time it is so much more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! I would drive the long way to and from work to get a little extra listening time.

A Must Have. Unlike anything you have ever read!

If you could sum up The Night Circus in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing. Eclectic. Fascinating.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Celia you will just have to find out for yourself.

What about Jim Dale’s performance did you like?

Just about perfect. There are other books I'd love to listen to but have turned down based on the voice of narrator. I prefer a male narrator as well. But also since this story is old world his subtle accent is plus.

If you could rename The Night Circus, what would you call it?

No other name suites it. Based on the name and cover was what drew me in.

Any additional comments?

I read the actual book 1st on my Kindle and loved it so much I had to buy it to listen to. Its as if you are a kid again and its story time at the library. Grab you blanket curl up and imagine as its read.

Embrace the mystery, let the beauty sweep over you

First, Jim Dale is my favorite reader of all time. As usual, as with the Harry Potter books, he doesn't disappoint. Second, I really enjoyed this story. Erin Morgenstern is a master of descriptive storytelling, and the circus is breathtaking. So why doesn't she explain MORE? The characters' feelings or thoughts? The secret of the names? People's motivations? There are so many mysteries, for which the author has been roundly criticized. But I think that's the point. The book is all about mystery, the unanswered, the unknown. The magical air that hangs over the circus also hangs over the story. Some questions aren't intended to be answered. Truth be told, I loved not having to be hand-fed every answer. I enjoyed being swept along like a wide-eyed spectator at the circus. I would love to spend time speculating with other readers about what this or that meant. Does this make me a Reveur? Probably. But if you plan to enjoy this book to its fullest potential, start by letting go of the need for answers. Allow yourself to be swept along. You'll enjoy the ride all the more if you engage your own imagination!!

I Loved The Night Circus!

My experience listening to this highly anticipated novel certainly did not disappoint! I truly loved this book with all of it's precise, beautiful description and wonderful narration. I was transported into this black-and-white world for many hours, and never wanted to leave!

This would have made a great game

I bought this book because it kept coming up in recommendation lists. I loved the mysterious world of the circus that only appears at night. It has one or two memorable characters, but the relationship between the main characters isn't fleshed out well, and the conclusion is anticlimactic.

If there's ever a VR game based on this book, I'll buy it in a heartbeat, but as a narrative in book form, it doesn't quite hold together.

Mesmerizing!

It took a few chapters for me to fully commit. Jim Dale drew me in to a story I knew nothing about. A friend had simple recommended it and I was looking for a new book.
Once the story began to weave together I was hooked! It is brilliant!
I plan to start over immediately, so I can wallow in every word all over again.
Enjoy!!

Enchanting!

If you could sum up The Night Circus in three words, what would they be?

To sum The Night Circus up in three words, I would chose enchanting, magical, and spectacular.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the characters each one was mysterious in a special way.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed any scene in a circus tent they were very magical.

Wonderful and imaginative!

The story should get all 5 stars too. For some reason the app won't let me click the last star...