The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Release Date: September 13th 2011
Pages: 387
Format: Hardcover / Audiobook
Source: Publisher / Personal
Publisher: Random House Canada
Narrator: Jim Dale
Buy It: Book Depository
Behind the scenes of the night-time circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, 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 instructors. Despite themselves, Celia and Marco fall in love, but this is a game in which only one can be left standing.To be honest, I finished reading The Night Circus months ago, and although my blog has been taking a hiatus lately, the tardiness of this review is not really a result of anything other than my difficulty in attempting to sum up this book with anything other than wow.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Jim Dale, who is an incredibly well-recognized narrator, but who I hadn't actually heard of before. And honestly, after this I'd pick up even a book I didn't find interesting just to hear it described in his voice. But in this case, Dale had incredibly source material, as Morgenstern's writing is beautiful, articulate, dark and magical. When I see a lot of rave reviews about a book, often I think, "it can't really be that good". Well consider me corrected.
While reading The Night Circus, my mind flashed occasionally to Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, a classic novel with another magical circus. Both books had a slower than expected pace, but it didn't bother me in this case, probably because Dale's reading voice was so much more enjoyable to listen to. In the end, every sentence paid off in a thrilling and unexpected conclusion.
What makes Morgenstern's debut so amazing is the atmosphere she creates, vivid and detailed, it truly transports the reader. The story is complex, beautifully told, and I honestly can't point out a single thing I would change. Morgenstern is also a painter, and she seems to mingle the two arts perfectly, as her debut novel is so rich on the page it feels like a painting in verse.
Overall, I'm incredibly pleased that The Night Circus has gotten so much, well-deserved, recognition and I'm also impatient for whatever Morgenstern writes next.
I whole-heartedly agree with your review, although I read the book rather than audio. I am glad to hear she has an incredible narrator to tell her story.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed many either love it or the description is to much. I initially had it on my Wishlist but realised it wasn't for me.
ReplyDeleteGlad you loved it and was wow'd by it.
I haven't thought to read this book via audio (I own the book) but because I loved this one so much I may have to give it a try with audio.
ReplyDeleteNerd Girls at Books to the Sky
I fell in love with all the descriptions. I wanted more in terms of character development, but the circus really is the main character, so I was easily able to overlook the flaws.
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