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)

Wonderful

I've listened to this book 2 times now and I can't wait for the next! Love the story and its beautifully narrated!

Ocean in a Bottle

It exists and makes perfect sense within the paper walls and inside imagination. Parts are brutal and others poetic. The ending is.

A Dreamy Mystery

This book is captivating. it draws on nostalgic sensory from childhood that so many people have when visiting magic shows or even the Farmers Market/Carnival/Fair/Circus. the author takes those senses and blends them with the much deeper, more enticing feelings of curiosity, love, fear and a reasonable amount of disdain. the ending is misleading enough to feel that Ms. Morgenstern was not rushed to finish writing the book so much so that the anticipation was high until the last word was read. this is a very palpable book with a rich story that should not be avoided.

Book Club Choice

Would you listen to The Night Circus again? Why?

This story is beautifully written. Ms. Morgensterns's descriptions made me feel like I was at the circus. I became very invested in the story. After the end I was sad it was over. Jim Dale is my favorite narrator and he brought the Night Circus to life.

Magic and Whimsy...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Night Circus to be better than the print version?

Unfortunately, I didn't read the print version. However, I feel like Jim Dale added so much with his narration, I would have a hard time reading the print version now.

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

There are such beautiful descriptions of characters and scenes and circus tents, it's hard to pick just one that stands out. I loved the description of the tent he made for her with the paper animals.

Which character – as performed by Jim Dale – was your favorite?

Again - so hard to pick just one. I loved the dinner guests, especially the contortionist and Madame Pardfour (excuse my poor spelling - I didn't see it written). The clock maker and the boy from Massachusetts - it really is hard to zero in on my favorite.

If you could take any character from The Night Circus out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably Chandresh. He seemed to have the most interesting history and the most interesting experience. He seemed richly described and like he would be a wonderful dinner companion. Of course, I would much prefer to be a guest at one of the late night dinner parties instead of out at a restaurant with him.

Any additional comments?

I was hesitant to wade into audiobook fiction but after listening to The Night Circus, I am so glad I made the jump. The book was whimsical, magical, and all around delightful.

Love it.

Love it, love it, love it, I listen at work could not wait to get to work and get back to the circus made the day go by while I was transported to another world....Thank you

Either you love it or you hate it. I loved it.

After reading some of the reviews, I doubted I would like it.However, I adore listening to Jim Dale and think he could read a catalog and it would be an excellent listen.

Anyway, I went into this book not expecting much. However, it was a wonderful book that a delight for all 5 senses. It was a mastery of words but without overdoing the descriptions into tedium. The beauty of the story was in its subtlety. The author didn't try to bang you over the head with what you needed to know about the characters, plot, etc...rather it is a dance in which you must be an active participant by engaging your brain.

If you prefer heart pounding action, gore, lots of sex, or easily digestible material, this book is not for you.

This Book has Ruined all Others

This is the best book I have read in quite some time. I bought it for everyone for Christmas this year. The descriptions transport you to the circus and the story draws you into the character. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

Very enjoyable

Really enjoyed the book but the ending was a bit anti climactic for my taste. Still would suggest for easy reading, relaxation and fun

hard to get through

if you are looking for a book about a circus, this is for you. very little character development or action, many minute details about every inch of this circus. I wasn't sure if I was going to finish, but kept hoping for a big moment that make all the minor details you get matter, but it never happened.