The Night Circus is masterfully written, and I enjoyed every aspect of this book. From the circus and magic system to the characters and the 1800-1900s setting, it was as if I were taking a journey through an enchanted, whimsical dream. I binged this book in two days; it was that good.
The characters were well-realized and tightly woven into the plot. If you pulled one character out, the whole story would unravel. The dialogue was never dull or cheesy; the characters spoke as if they were indeed from that era. The relationships, good and bad, were believable.
I loved the delivery of the magic system. It was related to our own sleight of hand magicians, and the comparison made it easy to comprehend and believe. It was so closely connected to the real world, yet, so far away.
People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see.
― Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus
Yes, it was a bit slow and not plot-driven, but the characters were brilliant, the visual and cinematic storytelling made up for that slow burn. I was never bored or wondering when this story would be over. I couldn’t get enough of this world that I was emersed in.
Erin Morgenstern truly knows how to show you, not just tell you, a story. I felt like I was there, seeing the circus from afar, filled with intrigue. Walking up to the entrance, overwhelmed with excitement. Then stepping over the threshold from reality into an oddity. Feeling a sense of wonder and sometimes even feeling unsure and fearful of what might be unveiled when I pushed back the black and white striped canvas and entered a circus tent. I could almost smell the candy, cider, and rain. The world surrounded me. Again, I could not get enough of this visual storytelling!
The circus itself and gatherings of those who worked at the circus were grandiose and ethereal. There was a solid and tangible essence about the story, but it was all so dreamlike and magical. You’re always wondering what’s real? Who is real?
I can’t come close to explaining how good this book is; my words will never do it justice. I highly recommend reading it and seeing it for yourself.
In short, this story is visually stunning, purely magical, and one that needed to be told.
As for the Physical book, the hardcover copy of The Night Circus that I picked up on Amazon made me smile multiple times while reading. The design details perfectly fit the story, from the black and white stripes to the binding’s red detail. I couldn’t help but smile when I noticed their significance.
