Book Review: The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Every now and then a book comes out (ok, perhaps a bit more frequently than that) that I absolutely cannot wait to read.  Erin Morgenstern’s debut novel The Night Circus is one such book.  I patiently waited for my library to get a copy, came thisclose to buying it as soon as I got my Nook Color (because it just wasn’t coming to my library as fast as I wanted), and almost stole it off of my brother’s nightstand during a holiday visit.  I kept waiting, though, and finally the wait paid off.  I read the book from cover to cover in a day, and then made my husband sit down and do the same thing.

Below is a brief synopsis of the book, from Chris Schluep of Amazon.com (written when the book received the honor of being on the Amazon Best Books of the Month for September 2011):

Erin Morgenstern’s dark, enchanting debut takes us to the black and white tents of Le Cirque des Reves, a circus that arrives without warning, simply appearing when yesterday it was not there. Young Celia and Marco have been cast into a rivalry at The Night Circus, one arranged long ago by powers they do not fully understand. Over time, their lives become more intricately enmeshed in a dance of love, joy, deceit, heartbreak, and magic. Author Morgenstern knows her world inside and out, and she guides the reader with a confident hand. The setting and tone are never less than mesmerizing. The characters are well-realized and memorable. But it is the Night Circus itself that might be the most memorable of all.

Morgenstern’s novel is visually mesmerizing; the book’s mood is resolutely dream-like.  I can’t think of another book that compares to this one.  It is written as a series of vignettes in various times and places that connect events surrounding the circus.  Each piece of the puzzle reveals a bit more about the characters and the game.  Fans of the cancelled HBO series Carnivale, and Christopher Nolan’s movies Inception and The Prestige will absolutely love this book.

The world created within the pages of this novel is absolutely engrossing.  I find myself thinking about it all the time, almost two weeks after I finished it.  I asked my husband if he did as well – to my delight he feels the same way.  I always love it when he loves a book I recommend!

Returning this book to the library actually made me sad – I didn’t want to give it back.  I want it to be a part of my collection so I can return to the circus whenever I choose.  I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting this one for my Nook Color in the next few weeks; I don’t know how long I can go without it!