REVIEW: the night circus, by erin morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group on September 13, 2011
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Psychological, Historical
Pages: 384
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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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.

in preparation for The Starless Sea, i decided to reread (or relisten) to The Night Circus. according to goodreads, i hadn’t read it since 2014 so it’s been a while. i don’t remember much aside from 1) the setting was AMAZING, and 2) it was rough getting through and felt long. oddly enough, this reread has made me fall in love with the story and i thiiiiink it’s one of my favorite books. it’s definitely one of my favorite (if not the #1) audiobook.

Opens at nightfall; closes at dawn.

let’s begin, shall we? first off, the the audiobook narrator is SO GOOD. he read the harry potter series ones and those were amazing, but i honestly feel like this read was (somehow) even better??? it truly felt like an immersive experience. i’d be doing something and listening and see the story unfolding in my brain. it was so addictive to read and i didn’t want to stop.

the setting is the best!! ever!!!! this was something i already knew but MAN. it’s so good. i could cry. i just want to live in the night circus, experience all the tents, eat the popcorn, see the bonfire, breathe the air. it makes me want to weep.

the writing!!! is also spectacular!!! i don’t know how i didn’t notice it the first time around, but WOW. erin morgenstern truly makes writing feel like an art.

You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.

what really stood out to me is the pacing, which i loooovveeeeee, but can also see why 2014-me was annoyed at. the way it’s set up makes it more enjoyable as a reread. there would be chapters of things that don’t seem relevant but they all come together in the end!! knowing this made me see all the clues and foreshadowing during my reread. it also made me appreciate the story a lot more.

the characters & relationships!!!! they are so fleshed out!! i love how the story is set over a span of 30 or so years because by the end, i’ve really grown with the characters. time passes rather quickly, but it’s a journey. and the way relationships come together are so natural and subtle i’m,,,, ;—-; even side characters and EVERYTHING. a big plot point talks about how the MCs game affects everyone around them and i felt that. it also makes me think about myself and my life in that sense. *cue existentialism*

overall, i really have nothing bad to say about The Night Circus. this review was essentially and opportunity to fangirl and rave about my love for this book. it’s funny because i remember feeling kinda eh about it the first time around. now as i’m rereading, i think i captured the essence i missed initially. i can understand why everyone was talking about this book in 2012. all the praise is well earned and i can’t wait to come back to this world again.

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