Synopsis
Opens at Nightfall
Closes at Dawn
As dusk shifts to twilight, tiny lights begin to flicker all over the tents, as though the whole circus is covered in fireflies. When the tents are aglow, sparkling against the night sky, the sign lights up:
Le Cirque des Rêves
The Circus of Dreams
The gates shudder and unlock, seemingly by their own volition.
They swing outward, inviting the crowd inside.
Now the circus is open.
Now you may enter.
Review
I can’t believe that The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern has been sitting on my shelf for about six years until now. I decided to pick the book up after receiving an amazing anniversary edition from a subsciorion box I get. The book and inspired gifts were amazing so I went and found my paperback copy and settled in to what is one of the most imaginative and magical books I have ever read. The Night Circus is the story of the Le Cirque des Rêves, which just arrives without warning and disappears the same way, and offers an experience never seen before. At the centre of the circus and it’s magical tents are Clara and Marco, two people who are strangers but tied together in a competition of their magical skill, hard when you have no idea of your opponent’s name or face. The magic of the circus, with a love story make this such an enchanting read.
I did have reservations about reading The Night Circus, as I had heard very different opinions of it. However I am glad I did read it as it is such a unique book, and Erin Morgenstern has created an imaginative masterpiece. There are so many levels to this book, and like the circus which has the main tent in the centre whith others surrounding it, this book has Cara and Marco at it’s centre. Cara is only six when she is delivered like a package to her father Hector Bowen, also known as Prospero the Enchanter, a famed magician. Hector trains up his daughter and enters a contract with ‘the man in the Grey Suit’ to have a magical competition. I couldn’t help but love Clara, her training is brutal at times which takes it’s toll but she still grows into a lovely young woman and talented in her magic. Clara was brought up on her own, so whilst the Circus is competion it also gives her her first friendships, and her first romance. Marco, her opponent, was taken from an orphanage by ‘the man in the grey suit, to be trained up, but in a verydifferent way to Clara. He very rarely sees his mentor, once he reaches nineteen, but sent to work for Chandresh Christophe Lefèvre, the brains behind the Night Circus. Marco’s magic is different from Clara’s but the two are very similar in their experiences, as their stories run side by side you can’t help but become invested in their stories, as they are set against each other. There are plenty of supporting characters, like Bailey who will be tied to the circus in a way he could never know and he twins born on opening night, Widget and Poppy, who have magical powers of their own and of course the mysterious ‘man in the grey suit’.
I have to say I was in awe at Erin Morgenstern, at her imagination in this book, a her ability to build it layer by layer, and in her wonderful characters. This is even more incredible knowing that this was her debut novel. I was completely enchanted by the circus, with it’s ice garden, labrynth, a room of scents that are captured in bottles and a room where different doors take you to differnt places and experiences. The idea of the circus suddenly appearing, and being open only at night adds to the atmosphere and feel of the book. This is literally the circus of dreams beyond anything you could imagine, and it takes centre stage, with the characters in place around it,to make this such a theatrical experience.
The Night Circus is an evocative and fantastical read that enthralled me. It’s dreamlike quality, and Erin Morgenstern’s magical creations make for an enchanting and wonderous read that is a feat of the imagination. This really is a WOW book, with a sense for the theatrical and drama and a darkness that envelopes you as you read, and a love story wrapped up in the circus. Breathtaking, stunning and captivating, this is a reading experience you will never forget.
The photo is of the book and accessories that I received as part of my book subscription.