• The Night Circus

  • A Novel
  • By: Erin Morgenstern
  • Narrated by: Jim Dale
  • Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (29,135 ratings)

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The Night Circus  By  cover art

The Night Circus

By: Erin Morgenstern
Narrated by: Jim Dale
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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)

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What listeners say about The Night Circus

Average customer ratings
Overall
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Magical!

Absolutely wonderful story. Full of wonder and filled with such emotion you won't be able to stop listening. And Jim Dale is a stellar voice actor. His narration pulls you in even further than one would expect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Le Cirque de Rev

I hated for this book to end. It was a story of magic, beauty and true love. The characters became real and fully developed by the author's unique writing style. I could feel the circus around me, and each room was easy to imagine. The plot continually evolved, always keeping my attention. I would give this book more stars if they were available. Well done Ms Morgenstern!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite genre BUT

The narrator was great. I enjoyed listening to the book, much more than if I had read it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

even better as an audiobook

I have read the night circus three times in print but the audio version brought out details I hadn't picked up before. the only downside is it drags a little toward the last hour of the book, this is true in print as well

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Fantastic Story with Wonderful Narration

This is one of my favorite stories, and to hear it read by Jim Dale puts it over the top for me. Erin Morganstern weaves an intricate, mesmerizing tale. It is so well written that I feel like I am a part of it.

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Great Story

This book is very well written and the narrator is very good. I was hooked after the first 15 minutes.

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Fantastic Story for lovers of all things magical

This was a wonderfully lighthearted tale of love and Magic. Beautiful descriptions of the magical world of the night circus. A must Read!

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My favorite book of all time

Erin Morgenstern has created something truly rare and magical in The Night Circus. I've read this book a dozen times at least and I fall in love with the characters and the story every single time. This is a stunningly beautiful narrative that is part romance, part mystery, and part fantasy. Jim Dale does an incredible job bringing it to life and his performance really adds to the experience.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Pulls you in

This has quickly become on of my favorite novels. E.M.s way of writing wraps you right into her worlds. I spent the majority of my time listening lost in a daydream I didnt want to leave.

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One of the best books I’ve ever read.

I’ve read thousands of books and over 500 audiobooks, with a love of fantasy, and The Night Circus is one of my all-time favorites. The story and imagery burrowed into my mind and took up residence. It’s stunning, fascinating, heartbreaking and lovely. Best enjoyed on a rainy day under a soft blanket with an excellent tea selection, and possibly a cat on your lap.

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