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The Night Circus

Erin Morgenstern

Start date: May 1, 2018

Finish date: August 31, 2018

Discussion: The Night Circus

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The Night Circus

The Night Circus-Spoiler free discussion
By Aqsa , Dracarys! · 50 posts · 82 views

last updated Dec 21, 2018 10:05AM

Part IV: Incendiary
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last updated Aug 21, 2018 08:00PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 07, 2018 The Raven King - Feyzan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favourites

Update November 2023

This book is a masterpiece of world building. The author skillfully used descriptive language and imagery to transport the reader to a different reality. Each page was filled with rich details and vivid scenes that made you feel like you were part of the story. However, I can see why some people didn't enjoy it as much. It's not as plot driven as other book. It lacks in action, and plot twists, but it has a lot beauty and wonder. Some may find the ending unsatisfactory as ...more

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Jun 06, 2017 Marta the Booktrovert rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed

One day at the bookshop I quickly read the first two chapters and I knew this story was not for me. I am not fond of circus in general. But my book club decided to read it so I gave it a chance.

What a huge disappointment! And I see so many 5* reviews online that I think "maybe it's me".

Shortly, here what I think about this book:

1 - It was just imagery after imagery and no plot at all. Too many story-lines, which the writer forgot to explain their purpose or giving them closure.
2 - There is so ...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Christine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. ‘Because I do not wish to know,’ he says. ‘I prefer to remain unenlightened, to better appreciate the dark.’
-Friedrick

At a young age, two illusionists Celia and Marco become pans in a dangerous game. Unknown to the two, their game involves Le Cirque des Reves, a place that is transformed into a place of literal magic. As the two play their game, the game begins to take a toil on the people involved with Le Cirque des Reves.

The Night Circus, in regards to the Le Cirque des Reves description is ‘Because I do not wish to know,’ he says. ‘I prefer to remain unenlightened, to better appreciate the dark.’
-Friedrick

At a young age, two illusionists Celia and Marco become pans in a dangerous game. Unknown to the two, their game involves Le Cirque des Reves, a place that is transformed into a place of literal magic. As the two play their game, the game begins to take a toil on the people involved with Le Cirque des Reves.

The Night Circus, in regards to the Le Cirque des Reves description is beautifully written. As the reader views Le Cirque des Reves through the eyes of the visitors, predominately through Herr Friedrick Thiessen or the young character Bailey. The description regarding the different exhibits in Le Cirque des Reves is so vivid and precise the reader becomes easily immersed in the circus.

As the people, involved with the creation of Le Cirque des Reves, begin to realize the strangeness of the circus the two illusionists start to fall in love despite them being opponents. As they continue their battle, these to illusionists begin creating these magical exhibits believing that their battle will come to an end. The magical exhibits that result of this battle are truly magically, the most beautifully descriptive is the Ice Garden and the Labyrinth.

However, the descriptive exhibitions and the creation of Le Cirque des Reves were truly the strongpoint of the novel. The lack of time spent on the romance of Celia and Marco is truly lacking. Along with the description of their game, we did not get a chapter of the creation of the Ice Garden as we did with the clock.

This book was a struggle for me at first, because of the changing of pov’s and shifting of time. Despite that, the book was an enjoyable read. One of the issues I had with it was, Bailey. The ending was disappointing, at least for me, due to the fact that it was not as theatrical or extravagant. Instead, it was solved by placing the circus on a teenager’s shoulder. The ending was lackluster. However, it is beautifully written in regards to Le Cirque des Reves and its magical exhibits. But the novel does not leave the reader feeling fully satisfied. ...more

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