- Paperback
- Publisher: Doubleday (Sep 2011)
- ISBN-10: 0385535503
- ISBN-13: 978-0385535502
- Product Dimensions: 15.7 x 3.5 x 23.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 386,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Night Circus
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Product Description
Review
'lush, evocative, dreamlike prose, with all the sights and scents of the circus... Morgenstern's writing, when it comes to magical creations, is delectable, addictive stuff ... The Night Circus is an accomplished and refreshingly unusual debut, which leaves a tang of smoky caramel in the air as it ends, and an undeniable urge to go to the circus.' --The Sunday Times
`Set at the turn of the 19th century, The Night Circus follows this travelling circus and its cast of acrobats, contortionists, snake-charmers and fortune-tellers, In its big tops most tricks are just that; sleights of hand and feats of skill. But the real story lies in those which are not. Behind the illusions of two young magicians, Celia and Marco, genuine magic is being performed... It's a great concept drawing on a fabulous tradition. From the writings of Dickens to the paintings of Toulouse-Lautrec, to Angela Carter's masterpiece, Nights at the Circus, the big top has been a source of continual fascination, tapped for its inherent romance, childhood sense of wonder, constrained anarchism and latent sexuality ... roll up, roll up, the circus is in town.' --Seven
`This must be one of the most beautiful novels of the year. Its die-cut cover, black-edged pages and intricate endpapers attest to the publisher's hopes that Erin Morgenstern's magically minded debut will secure the vast audience left bereft by the conclusion of the Harry Potter chronicles.' --The Observer
`It's full of love, magic and perilous rivalry, as two enchanters compete in a mysterious fin-de-siecle showdown. An astonishingly deft triumph of imagination that's painted with captivating realism'. --Easy Living
"An extraordinary blend of dream and nightmare will take you on a magical journey." --Red Magazine
'this tale of two magicians who fall in love is being touted as the new Harry Potter - and the event book of the year.' --Grazia
'Extraordinary, atmospheric, mind-spinning story.' --Woman and Home
'Crackling with sensual storytelling, this transports you to the many tents of Les Cirque des Reves.... what is extraordinary about this book is how the rhythm of the writing itself enchants the reader.' --Sainsbury Magazine
`Set at the turn of the 19th century, The Night Circus follows this travelling circus and its cast of acrobats, contortionists, snake-charmers and fortune-tellers, In its big tops most tricks are just that; sleights of hand and feats of skill. But the real story lies in those which are not. Behind the illusions of two young magicians, Celia and Marco, genuine magic is being performed... It's a great concept drawing on a fabulous tradition. From the writings of Dickens to the paintings of Toulouse-Lautrec, to Angela Carter's masterpiece, Nights at the Circus, the big top has been a source of continual fascination, tapped for its inherent romance, childhood sense of wonder, constrained anarchism and latent sexuality ... roll up, roll up, the circus is in town.' --Seven
`This must be one of the most beautiful novels of the year. Its die-cut cover, black-edged pages and intricate endpapers attest to the publisher's hopes that Erin Morgenstern's magically minded debut will secure the vast audience left bereft by the conclusion of the Harry Potter chronicles.' --The Observer
`It's full of love, magic and perilous rivalry, as two enchanters compete in a mysterious fin-de-siecle showdown. An astonishingly deft triumph of imagination that's painted with captivating realism'. --Easy Living
"An extraordinary blend of dream and nightmare will take you on a magical journey." --Red Magazine
'this tale of two magicians who fall in love is being touted as the new Harry Potter - and the event book of the year.' --Grazia
'Extraordinary, atmospheric, mind-spinning story.' --Woman and Home
'Crackling with sensual storytelling, this transports you to the many tents of Les Cirque des Reves.... what is extraordinary about this book is how the rhythm of the writing itself enchants the reader.' --Sainsbury Magazine
Review
A "Globe and Mail" Best Book
"A book that stops you in your tracks, a book [that]... tears you open and leaves you gasping.... A book that makes the hair on your arms stand on end, and that has you picking up the phone or sending a text to tell everyone you know, 'You have to read this.'... One of those rare, wonderful, transcendent books that, upon finishing, you want to immediately start again.... The Night Circus welcomes all visitors."
--"The Globe and Mail"
"It's a world whose mystique and enigma is hard to shake off, and that invites multiple visits."
--"National Post"
"Magical. Enchanting. Spellbinding. Mesmerizing. Morgenstern - in much the same way as her cast of magicians and performers might - builds a fantastic creation out of words and spells and ink and paper and the power of imagination. And like her colorful characters, she's not dealing in illusions and sleight of hand. This is real magic."
--"The Seattle Times"
"So should you read Erin Morgenstern's debut novel, The Night Circus? The short answer: Yes. The book is engaging and magical, entrancing the reader every step of the way."
--"The Huffington Post"
..".deliciously inventive..."
--"The Scotsman"
"Read The Night Circus and be mystified, finish it, as breathless as an aerialist, and you'll want to start again... you won't want to miss this amazing book."
--"The Missourian"
"With a showman's flourish in an opening paragraph, author Morgenstern invites readers into a mesmerizing 19th-century world where everything and nothing is real, and even the characters don't know the difference. There are shivers here, as well as a story of betrayal, mistrust, love and horrifying secrets. I was captivated by this darkly stunning debut novel from an author who bears watching, and there's no way you should miss it, either. So step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and be amazed at what you'll find between these fiendish covers. For you, The Night --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
"A book that stops you in your tracks, a book [that]... tears you open and leaves you gasping.... A book that makes the hair on your arms stand on end, and that has you picking up the phone or sending a text to tell everyone you know, 'You have to read this.'... One of those rare, wonderful, transcendent books that, upon finishing, you want to immediately start again.... The Night Circus welcomes all visitors."
--"The Globe and Mail"
"It's a world whose mystique and enigma is hard to shake off, and that invites multiple visits."
--"National Post"
"Magical. Enchanting. Spellbinding. Mesmerizing. Morgenstern - in much the same way as her cast of magicians and performers might - builds a fantastic creation out of words and spells and ink and paper and the power of imagination. And like her colorful characters, she's not dealing in illusions and sleight of hand. This is real magic."
--"The Seattle Times"
"So should you read Erin Morgenstern's debut novel, The Night Circus? The short answer: Yes. The book is engaging and magical, entrancing the reader every step of the way."
--"The Huffington Post"
..".deliciously inventive..."
--"The Scotsman"
"Read The Night Circus and be mystified, finish it, as breathless as an aerialist, and you'll want to start again... you won't want to miss this amazing book."
--"The Missourian"
"With a showman's flourish in an opening paragraph, author Morgenstern invites readers into a mesmerizing 19th-century world where everything and nothing is real, and even the characters don't know the difference. There are shivers here, as well as a story of betrayal, mistrust, love and horrifying secrets. I was captivated by this darkly stunning debut novel from an author who bears watching, and there's no way you should miss it, either. So step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and be amazed at what you'll find between these fiendish covers. For you, The Night --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sometimes a book comes along that will captivate you from the very first page and doesn't let go until you've finished reading it, for me The Night Circus was one of those books. In fact, when I reached the end I was very tempted to turn back to the first page and start reading it again. This has to be the most impressive debut I've read in a long time and I can't wait to see what Erin Morgenstern comes up with next, she has a rich imagination and a beautiful writing style that I'm sure will only improve in future books.
The story of The Night Circus begins with two magicians who both have different ideas on the best way to train an apprentice in the art of magic. They agree to a challenge and decide to pit their trainees against each other in a game that will take years to complete, a challenge that only one of them will survive. Le Cirque des Reves (The Circus of Dreams) becomes the setting for his duel with Celia and Marco the unwitting pawns in the game with neither of them knowing the rules or even who their opponent is. The plot meanders towards the finish line but this book is all about the journey, the circus itself is a wonderful place to spend time in and is so beautifully described that it's like you're really there. You can see the acrobats and illusionists, you'll smell and taste the popcorn and caramel, you will walk through the labyrinth, spend time in the ice garden and possibly even make a wish at the wishing tree. I don't think I've ever been so fully transported into another world.
The circus wouldn't be the same without it's fantastic cast of characters, everyone from the performers to the reveurs (people who are so captivated by the circus that they follow it from town to town) have their role to play. I have to say that I loved the twins Poppet and Widget along with their friend Bailey but most of all I enjoyed seeing Celia and Marco grow into their roles as they tried to compete with each other. The story skips backwards and forwards in time and gradually unfolds as you start to realise how everything fits together, leading up to a breathtaking finale in a book that you won't want to end.
The Night Circus is a book that I will definitely be re-reading and I know I will be recommending it again and again to friends and family. I wish I could wipe the experience of reading it from my mind just so that I could pick it up and enjoy it for the first time all over again. If you want to be transported to a different world to experience the joys of the circus as if you were a child again then I would highly recommend this story. This will definitely make my best books of 2011 list and Erin Morgenstern has become an automatic buy author for me in the future.
The story of The Night Circus begins with two magicians who both have different ideas on the best way to train an apprentice in the art of magic. They agree to a challenge and decide to pit their trainees against each other in a game that will take years to complete, a challenge that only one of them will survive. Le Cirque des Reves (The Circus of Dreams) becomes the setting for his duel with Celia and Marco the unwitting pawns in the game with neither of them knowing the rules or even who their opponent is. The plot meanders towards the finish line but this book is all about the journey, the circus itself is a wonderful place to spend time in and is so beautifully described that it's like you're really there. You can see the acrobats and illusionists, you'll smell and taste the popcorn and caramel, you will walk through the labyrinth, spend time in the ice garden and possibly even make a wish at the wishing tree. I don't think I've ever been so fully transported into another world.
The circus wouldn't be the same without it's fantastic cast of characters, everyone from the performers to the reveurs (people who are so captivated by the circus that they follow it from town to town) have their role to play. I have to say that I loved the twins Poppet and Widget along with their friend Bailey but most of all I enjoyed seeing Celia and Marco grow into their roles as they tried to compete with each other. The story skips backwards and forwards in time and gradually unfolds as you start to realise how everything fits together, leading up to a breathtaking finale in a book that you won't want to end.
The Night Circus is a book that I will definitely be re-reading and I know I will be recommending it again and again to friends and family. I wish I could wipe the experience of reading it from my mind just so that I could pick it up and enjoy it for the first time all over again. If you want to be transported to a different world to experience the joys of the circus as if you were a child again then I would highly recommend this story. This will definitely make my best books of 2011 list and Erin Morgenstern has become an automatic buy author for me in the future.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"The circus arrives without warning.
No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not."
So our story begins - the circus just appearing out of the ether as did my advance review copy of this debut novel, much to my delight. The UK edition looks stunning with black edged paper and end papers illustrated with a pattern of bowlers and top hats. This is a feast for the eyes which is perhaps not surprising as the author is an artist but will the inside match the luxurious facade?
This is an odd review for me as, amid all my oohing and ahhing, I was all too aware of how some of my bookish friends would absolutely hate this book and would be cringing from the opening pages. So, best to get that elephant out of the room before I go any further! If you don't like magical realism, if you're not a fan of meandering narratives, if you prefer action, if you don't like novels written in the present tense, if you don't like fantasy then there's nothing for you here. However, if, like me, you do like a bit of escapism, you like to slip into another world, if you enjoy visual stimulation, then step right up!
The story is perhaps the least important element of The Night Circus, that role being reserved for the circus itself but yes, there is an underlying narrative, the story of two gifted young illusionists, Celia and Marco, being pitted against each other in a lengthy battle the rules of which are vague. Le Cirque de Reves (the Circus of Dreams) is the battlefield and it soon attracts a faithful following of "reveurs" (dreamers) who follow its progress from town to town, continent to continent by means of a shadowy underground movement. There is a secondary storyline involving Bailey, a country boy who becomes linked to the circus and will have a key role in future events. There is a varied cast of weird and wonderful characters, including Celia's villainous father, Hector, his rival, Alexander, the man in the great suit as well as the supporting cast who keep the circus going. These are not characters you expect to empathise with, this is a show after all and they are there to entertain you just as the various tents house a myriad of visually stunning scenes, the Ice Garden, the Cloud Maze, the Labyrinth etc.
Some have compared The Night Circus with Audrey Niffenegger and yes, I can see slight similarities given that both authors are visual artists. Others mention Alice Hoffman and yes, I can see some elements in common but Erin Morgenstern has created a unique world with the Cirque de Reves and for those who are on the right wavelength she has provided a pathway to a singularly enchanting universe, one in which my inner child revelled. Highly recommended for all "reveurs"/dreamers.
No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not."
So our story begins - the circus just appearing out of the ether as did my advance review copy of this debut novel, much to my delight. The UK edition looks stunning with black edged paper and end papers illustrated with a pattern of bowlers and top hats. This is a feast for the eyes which is perhaps not surprising as the author is an artist but will the inside match the luxurious facade?
This is an odd review for me as, amid all my oohing and ahhing, I was all too aware of how some of my bookish friends would absolutely hate this book and would be cringing from the opening pages. So, best to get that elephant out of the room before I go any further! If you don't like magical realism, if you're not a fan of meandering narratives, if you prefer action, if you don't like novels written in the present tense, if you don't like fantasy then there's nothing for you here. However, if, like me, you do like a bit of escapism, you like to slip into another world, if you enjoy visual stimulation, then step right up!
The story is perhaps the least important element of The Night Circus, that role being reserved for the circus itself but yes, there is an underlying narrative, the story of two gifted young illusionists, Celia and Marco, being pitted against each other in a lengthy battle the rules of which are vague. Le Cirque de Reves (the Circus of Dreams) is the battlefield and it soon attracts a faithful following of "reveurs" (dreamers) who follow its progress from town to town, continent to continent by means of a shadowy underground movement. There is a secondary storyline involving Bailey, a country boy who becomes linked to the circus and will have a key role in future events. There is a varied cast of weird and wonderful characters, including Celia's villainous father, Hector, his rival, Alexander, the man in the great suit as well as the supporting cast who keep the circus going. These are not characters you expect to empathise with, this is a show after all and they are there to entertain you just as the various tents house a myriad of visually stunning scenes, the Ice Garden, the Cloud Maze, the Labyrinth etc.
Some have compared The Night Circus with Audrey Niffenegger and yes, I can see slight similarities given that both authors are visual artists. Others mention Alice Hoffman and yes, I can see some elements in common but Erin Morgenstern has created a unique world with the Cirque de Reves and for those who are on the right wavelength she has provided a pathway to a singularly enchanting universe, one in which my inner child revelled. Highly recommended for all "reveurs"/dreamers.
59 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Lucky enough to have read a proof copy of this title some weeks ago, I've been itching to tell you how good it is! If you want to be swept away then 'The Night Circus' will certainly snatch your imagination and take you on the most incrdible journey. Captivating and dreamlike, the tiny chapters will tempt you for hours on end.
I was seduced completely by the magic, the intrigue, the characters (none more impressive than the circus itself), the converging timelines of the plot, and a mix of chill air, caramel popcorn smells, dancing kittens, and the flap of black and white canvas. I read a lot, but its rare to find a book this special. Some books feel like more than books. Some books have jackets that may as well be false doors in the back of dusty old wardrobes, the way that they can instantly transport you to someplace magical. This is such a book.
Mooted to appeal to the Twilight generation (although this is much, much better) or even 'Harry Potter for grown ups', with film rights already snapped up before publication - I think this book has enough strength to be a smash hit in its own right. I hope it is. This is definately one to buy and keep and re-buy and gift to your friends...
When people drift away from reading as a habit, this is the kind of book i want to put into their hands to say "See? See what you're missing!?"
Bravo, Erin Morgenstern!
I was seduced completely by the magic, the intrigue, the characters (none more impressive than the circus itself), the converging timelines of the plot, and a mix of chill air, caramel popcorn smells, dancing kittens, and the flap of black and white canvas. I read a lot, but its rare to find a book this special. Some books feel like more than books. Some books have jackets that may as well be false doors in the back of dusty old wardrobes, the way that they can instantly transport you to someplace magical. This is such a book.
Mooted to appeal to the Twilight generation (although this is much, much better) or even 'Harry Potter for grown ups', with film rights already snapped up before publication - I think this book has enough strength to be a smash hit in its own right. I hope it is. This is definately one to buy and keep and re-buy and gift to your friends...
When people drift away from reading as a habit, this is the kind of book i want to put into their hands to say "See? See what you're missing!?"
Bravo, Erin Morgenstern!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Like a darker version of Disney World!
I utterly refused to get caught up with the fascination of this book to begin with. I ignored the hype, thinking this book couldn't possibly be as good as everyone was saying. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Vivienne Serendipity
Not just a story, it's an experience!
When I first heard about The Night Circus, I was intrigued, but I didn't know what to expect. The blurb seems perfect now I've read the book, but before I had, I didn't really feel... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Jo
Magical world, dull inhabitants
Dotted throughout this book are short descriptive passages from the point of view of a visitor to the Night Circus. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Simon Essex
Great book.
This book does not only describe the circus it put you there too. A fantasticly magical book and a great read.
Published 11 days ago by Jemma86
Highly imaginative
First thing is first, this is definitely not a romance novel. While there is a love story at the heart of the novel, Celia and Marco discover love at a slow pace through the... Read more
Published 17 days ago by JH
I can smell the toffee!
I loved this book, whilst I agree that perhaps more could have been done with the plot, the attention to detail is really refreshing and I enjoyed being enveloped in the circus. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Loucan
Enchanting
It is so very rare to find a book that is so innocent yet slightly dark, gentle and imaginative; the author creates a magical atmosphere, one that you can almost believe that this... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Anon
Magical
A truly magical story, beautifully written and with themes and characters who will haunt my dreams for many years to come.
Published 1 month ago by D. Thompson
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I really enjoyed this book, something totally different, and for a debut novel excellent. I would be interested to see what Erin Morgenstern comes up with next! Read more
Published 1 month ago by P. A. Cunningham
circus of dreams
This book was an unexpected surprise gift. I absolutely love it - the look, feel and wonderful dustcover sets the scene for a wonderous journey. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Susie Bear
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