From the Bookshelf of EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club…

The Night Circus

Erin Morgenstern

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 28, 2021

Discussion: MODERN / POPULAR READS

Why we're reading this: Group Pick for Feb '21 - Bookshelf Reread
Group Pick for June ‘19 - Bookshelf Reread
Group Pick for Apr '18…more
[close] Group Pick for Feb '21 - Bookshelf Reread
Group Pick for June ‘19 - Bookshelf Reread
Group Pick for Apr '18 - Bookshelf Reread
Group Pick for Nov '17 - Modern Classic/Popular Read

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MODERN / POPULAR READS

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What Members Thought

Jul 17, 2019 Carrie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mgr, magicians, fantasy, historical-fiction, favorite-authors, multiple-points-of-view, magical-realism

Enchanting
Magical
Wonderful

Welcome to the Night Circus where nothing is what it seems and it all that you that can ever imagine wanting.

A test
A challenge
A love story.

Two people pitied against the other in a game, a challenge endure.
Lives forever changed.
Within and outside of black and white tents of the Le Cirque de Rêves

12 likes · Like · see review

Feb 09, 2012 Dana Arbelaez rated it really liked it

Yes, the imagery in this story was definitely magic of its own, and yes, I did have some fantastic dreams from going directly to sleep while reading--but honestly, it took me too long to finish it, and there were moments when I was wishing for more substance. I like the way it ended though, lately I've been bored by the novels that use magic and end in complete tragedy; I guess my soul just needs more resolution, and this book definitely ended with a good one. Kinda reminded me of the movie ~The ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2014 Sunflower rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, fiction-read-2014

"The circus arrives without warning". Great first line: what circus arrives anywhere without bills sticking to telegraph poles and other forms of advertising? Also a place where those leaving it are uncertain whether they are leaving or rejoining reality? That would be the Night Circus, where all the rules of circuses- and pretty much most of the laws of physics- are broken. This book maintains its dream-like air of mystery throughout, (some of the plot points remaining fairly nebulous even at t ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 05, 2012 Laurel Bradshaw rated it it was amazing

Shelves: metaphysical, mystery, 19th-century, fantasy-fiction, circuses, romantic-suspense

Impossible to characterize! Fantasy but not quite. Mystery/suspense but not quite. Romance but not quite. Allegory? Fairy tale? Steampunk? Metaphysical? All I know is that without much of a plot, and without much character development (which should be faults), and without even a real magical contest (if that isn't a spoiler), the author has created a magical, riveting world that I won't soon forget. It jumps around in time and place and from one character to another, which should be confusing, b Impossible to characterize! Fantasy but not quite. Mystery/suspense but not quite. Romance but not quite. Allegory? Fairy tale? Steampunk? Metaphysical? All I know is that without much of a plot, and without much character development (which should be faults), and without even a real magical contest (if that isn't a spoiler), the author has created a magical, riveting world that I won't soon forget. It jumps around in time and place and from one character to another, which should be confusing, but isn't. It just adds to the sense of an elaborate illusion, the peeling of an onion to get to the truth of why all of this has been set in motion. And whose story is it in the end? Reading this book is a bit like reading Tarot cards. What do they mean? How do they relate to each other? Is it about the past or the future? It is about symbolism, and archetypes, and how we might escape from the things that bind us. It asks us to ponder the nature of dualism, black and white, good and evil, power and weakness, truth and illusion, the nature of time and of being. Among the recognizable archetypes are the Hero's Journey, the Wheel of Fortune, Merlin in the tree, Tristan and Isolde, and the Labyrinth. The prose creates vivid images, and I think this will make a splendid movie. My favorite scene: the boat made of books sailing on a sea of ink... I am still there, and I expect to look out the window and see the black and white tents far off in the cornfield.

Description:
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 both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

...more

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Oct 19, 2013 Debra Harrison rated it did not like it

Very difficult to follow. I did not care about characters. Did not care how it ended

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2014 Laurel Bradshaw rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 19th-century, metaphysical, audiobook, daytimers-book-club, fantasy-fiction, circuses, romantic-suspense

This was a reread for me for my face-to-face bookclub. Jim Dale does an excellent job with the narration.

Original review from Sept. 2012:
Impossible to characterize! Fantasy but not quite. Mystery/suspense but not quite. Romance but not quite. Allegory? Fairy tale? Steampunk? Metaphysical? All I know is that without much of a plot, and without much character development (which should be faults), and without even a real magical contest (if that isn't a spoiler), the author has created a magical, ...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Jen rated it really liked it

Seems people love it or hate it.
I am a member of the love it club. The circus was described in vivid detail; I wanted a front row seat, and I don't even like the circus. The characters were not developed as much as I would have liked, but for the purposes of this story, maybe it was best to keep some things a bit mysterious.
The plot was unusual, and could have been tweaked up a notch; however, I did enjoy the unfolding.
I recommend this book to people who love to fill in the blanks when reading. ...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Stephanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was enchanted by this book.
I know there are many critiques out there saying that this book was dull and long. Nevertheless, I found it to be captivating and beautifully written. I was sucked in by the descriptions of the circus and the complexity of the plot. The characters were dreamy and beautiful.

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Jan 15, 2012 Amy Ellis rated it it was ok

This book has great visual imagery but left me kind of confused. The plot is vague, and the romance is a little contrived. Hmmm...still wondering about this one.

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