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)

Interesting story, a bit hard to follow

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

Best: character development, ability to visualize the circus

Least: the story was interesting, but a bit hard for me to follow in the audio version. The chapters started by giving dates, and it took me a while to really pay attention to where we were in time. There are a lot of characters in the story, which I also found a bit hard to keep track of in the audio version.

What about Jim Dale’s performance did you like?

Grate job giving voice to the characters. More than once I was surprised when he would continue with, "so and so said" because it seemed so self-evident!

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

yes

WOW

this sat in my wish list only slightly catching my interest. finally out of desperation with nothing else to read I decided to give it a try. the summary does not do it justice. this book got my attention almost immediately and held me captured throughout its entirety. if you're looking for an escape into Mysteries and childhood dreams this is an amazing book

Art, heart and style.

This audiobook, "The Night Circus", was wonderful to listen to.

Twists and turns within the plot grab for attention, the fantastic but believable characters spoke to the heart,  and the detailed splendor of the setting were perfect. Narrator Jim Dale, famous for narrating the Harry Potter audiobooks, also adds his story telling powers into the mix.

This beautiful tale begins with two mysterious and powerful men making an unspecified wager by pitting two chosen students against each other in something called "the game". This students grow up learning powerful magics but given no explanations. They don't know know the rules. They don't know how to win the game. They don't even know when they start to play. Then one day these students  are directed toward a special circus, one that will open the flood gates of a audiobook listener's imagination.

Highly, REALLY highly, recommended to those who enjoy audio books that feel as descriptive as they are dreamlike. A touch of romance, a touch of mystery, and a perfectly crafted and magical setting is what awaits listeners here.

Beautiful

I originally bought this because of the reader, Jim dale, but I loved the story and how it weaved a full tapestry of wonder. I wish it would have been longer but the wrap up was beautifully done.

Actual Magic

Jim Dale and the Harry Potter books are the reason that I started listening to audiobooks. His voice imparts whimsy and comfort. I love listening to him before bed. This is definitely not Harry Potter, despite the existence of magic. While I don't think there's anything I'd fear for a child to read/listen to in this book, it definitely has an adult mentality.

This story while having magic at the core starts slow, but holds your interest from the start. This is also one of the more romantic stories I've read*. I have a few images so clearly in my mind from the book that just make me smile. I recently listened to this a second time, picking up a few more details, and enjoying it the same or more than the first time.

Have I really never reviewed this??

This is one of my favorite books. I have listened to it dozens of times. When I have a hard time finding a new book, I go back to this one. The writing is beautiful and will utterly transport you. The supporting characters are so well developed you may fall in love with them more than the main characters. The story is unique and the narrator, of course, is utterly perfect. Just get it.

Completely Enchanting

I loved this book: the fairytale feeling and magic had me completely enthralled and I didn't want it to end. My only regret is that I will not be able to hear this story again for the first time.

The descriptions are so magical and vivid and I found myself wishing that the Night Circus actually existed. Well performed and well conceived: highly recommended!

Love will find a way

I thouroghly enjoyed this book. A wager is made between Hector Bowen and Alexander, known as Mr. A.H. It boils down to nature vs. nurture. From asides in the book, this was not the first wager of this sort between the two men. Hector wagers his daughter Celia, who has inherited his ability to perform real magic, while Alexander counters with Marco, who he picked from an orphanage. The rules were not divulged to the participants, but as time passed they became obvious. The medium for the contest was a circus, which was only open at night.
Marco and Celia eventually found out who their opponents were, but this did not matter as they had fallen in love with each other. They both wanted to forfeit, but later found out that the winner of the match was the one that survived, meaning the loser would die. This was unacceptable to the star crossed lovers, and they found a way to have the contest a draw and be together forever.
A very enjoyable book that shows that love will always find a way.

Intriguing story, touch of Neil Gaiman

Thoroughly enjoyed the book especially with Jim Dale's narration. Perfect combination! Can definitely see a bit of Neil Gaiman, but Erin has her own wonderful, descriptive style with a feminine touch. A must read/hear!

A Slow Start

Over all I think this was an interesting story. I had a hard time understanding what was happening in the beginning. Each chapter is set in a different year and it does not progress chronologically. This chaotic story line adds to the dream-like atmosphere of the tale, however it made things very confusing if I wasn't paying close enough attention. The story is about the life of a girl and boy that grow up with the same purpose, however they do not know each other or what the purpose is until they are much older. I think the story would have flowed a lot better if their childhood had been a smaller section and more time was given to their adult lives.There are some very important things that happen in the story that are breezed over until something bad happens and the reader/listener is expected to understand how they are all connected. The story ended in a mostly satisfying way but was a bit confusing. To me the moral of the story was to understand how tiny events can lead to large things happening in life and how we are all connected. The choices we make do not only affect ourselves but many people and things that we will never know.