Book Of The Month September, 2011
The Night CircusErin Morgenstern
In 1886, a mysterious travelling circus becomes an international sensation. Open only at night, constructed entirely in black and white, Le Cirque des Rêves delights all who wander its circular paths and warm themselves at its bonfire.
What We Think
Justin
‘The Night Circus is a visual feast! The setting is so beautifully described that it fills the imagination but leaves just enough ambiguity to allow the reader to fill in the gaps and create the world of the circus in our own minds.
I found myself wanting to become a rêveur and follow the circus on its journey from country to country. Definitely one that could make a superb film with the right direction.
I have urged all my friends to read it as I hope they will enjoy it as much as I did. Definitely go read it if you haven’t already – You will be spellbound!’
Hayley Wakenshaw, American Book Center Amsterdam
‘This book is wonderful, in every sense of the word. An exquisitely imagined, multi-sensory delight with vivid and fantastic images on every page. One of those rare books that you pick up whenever you can just so you can immerse yourself in the world within its page.
Morgenstern makes it very easy to disappear into her book – every sight, sound, smell, taste, texture and sensation is perfectly rendered; from the velvet curtains, to the caramel apples, to the crispness of the autumn air. For this alone it deserves four stars.
Where it didn’t quite work was in the story, which was rather slight. The ends are tied up a bit too neatly, how the game works is never explained, what Marco and Celia actually really do as moves in the game is never clear, how the whole idea of the challenge originally started is not explained in a satisfying way, and I felt that overall, this part of the novel felt thin and insubstantial.
But, perhaps that was the author’s intention – she says as much in the closing chapters. I don’t think it really matters. I regretted having to turn the last page of The Night Circus, and that is always the sign of a great book.’
Jane, Waterstone’s Amsterdam
‘This novel is indeed a feast for all senses and drew me in right away from the very first sentence. Morgenstern’s imagination is unlimited and her magical descriptions are beautiful and very vivid. Of all the characters Poppet, Widget and Bailey are my favourites. Can’t wait to see this made into a movie. Highly recommended!’