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The Night Circus
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The Night Circus, By Erin Morgenstern, Background & Resources Thread (Apr 2018)
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If buttered popcorn and caramel apples aren't your thing; perhaps, creating a little Anticipation for the main attractions is what you need...
The Circus arrives without warning.A Book Trailer
No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.
The towering tents are striped in white and black, no golds and crimsons to be seen. No color at all, save for the neighboring trees and the grass of the surrounding fields. Black-and-white stripes on grey sky; countless tents of vary ing shapes and sizes, with an elaborate wrought-iron fence encasing them in a colorless world. Even what little ground is visible from outside is black or white, painted or powdered, or treated with some other circus trick.
But it is not open for business. Not just yet.
Within hours everyone in town has heard about it. By afternoon the news has spread several towns over. Word of mouth is a more effective method of advertisement than typeset words and exclamation points on paper pamphlets or posters. It is impressive and unusual news, the sudden appearance of a mysterious circus. ~Erin Morngenstern
The Night Circus...Vantage Books (2011), YouTube Video
And a Night Circus game
Night Circus Game...storynexus.com (thank you, Peter!)
A little about the author
Erin Morgenstern , her Wikipedia page
How Erin Morgenstern created 'Night Circus'...The Star Tribune
First Novels from the Editor's POV...NPR
Frequently Asked Questions with Erin...erinmorgenstern.com
Reviews, or rather, lack there of...
I have not posted any reviews because I have not looked for any, there are so many listed in my book, it's an explosion of commentary. I want this little piece of magic to stand on its own for now, giving it an organic approach...or at least until we reach the final thread where any and all reviews may be posted, and we may freely discuss them without spoilers. So, if you find reviews online you think will enrich our discussion; please post them in the Final Thread .
I believe C. C. Lefévre has already sent an invite to Jake, Kathleen, Irene and Laurie, noticing their interest in attending his world of fantasy from the Wild Card Poll; but what about the rest of you... will you be joining us? If you're curious about this evocative narrative, get your tickets now, and proceed to the other tents. Let's experience The Night Circus' magic and whimsy together.
I will be your master of ceremony for the next four weeks, and look forward to your participation in our discussion in the coming days. Till then...
I love how you set up and locked these threads, Ami. Matched the anticipation of the beginning of the story perfectly. I could smell the caramel and kept coming back to check the clock--is it open yet? :-)Now I'm going to read about the author above. The Mary Poppins-esque pic above is hilarious!
I read this when it first came out and even played the online game. I will not be re-reading, but will follow the discussion and may chime in. It was an enjoyable trip.
The game, alas, is no longer on-line. It lingered on for several years though.
Mod
I enjoyed this when I read it years ago. Not sure if I will have time to reread, but , like Linda, I'll check out the discussion. I found this book to be creative in many ways, and sort of whimsical.
I read this for another GR group and finished it just a week or so ago. I loved it and I'm looking forward to the discussions!
And I love the illustrations and hints in this thread! I agree it mirrors the anticipation of waiting for the circus to open! Nice job.
I welcome all of you to the fabulous Night Circus. Tonight, here in our own Big Top, right before your very eyes, a fabulous array of discussion tents have been assembled for your delight and delectation. Jest with our jaunty jugglers of books...chime in to the discussion with our card-carrying 21st Century members...marvel and muse upon this magical novel... and give a bravo for the brave bunch who chose to enter. All this and more before the night is out.Grab your tickets, bring your books, refreshments, and most of all bring your eager minds. Sit and spectate, or join in the discussion, do as you please; just, let's go indulge in some illusion filled realms and have some fun!
Sue wrote: "I read this for another GR group and finished it just a week or so ago. I loved it and I'm looking forward to the discussions!
And I love the illustrations and hints in this thread! I agree it m..."
Franky wrote: "I enjoyed this when I read it years ago. Not sure if I will have time to reread, but , like Linda, I'll check out the discussion. I found this book to be creative in many ways, and sort of whimsical."
Peter wrote: "The game, alas, is no longer on-line. It lingered on for several years though."
LindaJ^ wrote: "I read this when it first came out and even played the online game. I will not be re-reading, but will follow the discussion and may chime in. It was an enjoyable trip."
Kathleen wrote: "I love how you set up and locked these threads, Ami. Matched the anticipation of the beginning of the story perfectly. I could smell the caramel and kept coming back to check the clock--is it open ..."
My fellow 21 Century Literature members, your Master of Ceremony is squealing in delight at seeing your faces here! It's exactly as it should be, an audience full of faces both familiar and new!
Kathleen wrote: "I love how you set up and locked these threads, Ami. Matched the anticipation of the beginning of the story perfectly. I could smell the caramel and kept coming back to check the clock--is it open ..."Just follow the smell inside the gates, the clock is about to strike, rendering the circus...Open. So, yes...Come and see, come and see
I'm half way through Part II...see you in the tents! :)
Ha! I found the image of the author to be endearing and fitting for marketing the novel. Too cute!
LindaJ^ wrote: "I read this when it first came out and even played the online game. I will not be re-reading, but will follow the discussion and may chime in. It was an enjoyable trip."Peter wrote: "The game, alas, is no longer on-line. It lingered on for several years though."
LindaJ and Peter
I didn't realize that there was game...how curious? Was it fun, what was the premise?
Sue wrote: "I read this for another GR group and finished it just a week or so ago. I loved it and I'm looking forward to the discussions!
And I love the illustrations and hints in this thread! I agree it m..."
Hi there! Thank you! I can't wait to read more from you in the coming days...See you soon!
Marc wrote: "I believe Ami is traveling and may not be able to chime in right here at the beginning of the discussion. She was very kind to set things up early to get the ball rolling."I was, yes. Thank you! I just got in from across the pond.
Also, thank you so much to you, Marc, and the other 21st Century moderators...giving us this corner to expand upon Morgenstern's world of magic, fantasy and whimsy. Cheers!
Ami wrote: "I didn't realize that there was game...how curious? Was it fun, what was the premise?"It was a role-playing game with a card game mechanism, where you explore the circus, gaining access to more of it over time and 'rank' as a Rêveur (if I recall correctly) .
And I was mistaken! Failbetter Games preserved the game here: http://nightcircus.storynexus.com/s. And it is free to play (except for your time, of course).
Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "I didn't realize that there was game...how curious? Was it fun, what was the premise?"It was a role-playing game with a card game mechanism, where you explore the circus, gaining acce..."
Oh, this is great, Peter...thank you! I'll check it out this week. Thank you, again!
Mod
Great job of setting this up, Ami! I read this when it first came out and like others will not do a reread, but will check in on the "tents". I listened to it - it was a fabulous audiobook - and it has really stuck with me.
Also, I thought I'd mention that this was optioned for film, announced on Morgenstern's Facebook page, but it has been "in production" for years. It would make a fabulous movie, perhaps better though as a tv series giving more time to develop.
I'm definitely joining on this - have not read it before but the way you set it up, Ami, really intrigued me. See you in the tents :)
Suzy wrote: "Great job of setting this up, Ami! I read this when it first came out and like others will not do a reread, but will check in on the "tents". I listened to it - it was a fabulous audiobook - and it..."Hey there! Thank you!
Oh, 75% of the book is all about the imagery and atmosphere the author has created for us. So, I’m more than happy to have you as a spectator... or participant when the mood strikes you!
Don’t forget your ticket or🧣 !
Yes, I read that somebody bought the movie rights! I mean how could they not make it, it’s so fitting for a movie!
Ami wrote: "Suzy wrote: "Great job of setting this up, Ami! I read this when it first came out and like others will not do a reread, but will check in on the "tents". I listened to it - it was a fabulous audio..."The movie would be a visual feast, although I think tricky to make. I hope someone does it and does it well!
Kay wrote: "I'm definitely joining on this - have not read it before but the way you set it up, Ami, really intrigued me. See you in the tents :)"Come right this way! I have an invitation with your name on it, it’ll be waiting for you at the ticket booth. ;)
Suzy wrote: "Ami wrote: "Suzy wrote: "Great job of setting this up, Ami! I read this when it first came out and like others will not do a reread, but will check in on the "tents". I listened to it - it was a fa..."Seriously! I think HBO needs to jump on a series for this one, Amazon may have its Hands full with “Lord of the Rings.” 🤩
Ami wrote: "Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "I didn't realize that there was game...how curious? Was it fun, what was the premise?"It was a role-playing game with a card game mechanism, where you explore the circus..."
Ami wrote: "
If buttered popcorn and caramel apples aren't your thing; perhaps, creating a little
Anticipation
for the main attractions is what you need...The Circus arrives without warning.
No announcemen..."
Ami wrote: "Come, One...Come, All!
Scents of freshly dipped caramel apples are wafting through the air, the freshly squeezed apple cider is intoxicating, and the main attractions are nothing less than bewitc..."
I just started the game. Interesting.
Nutmegger wrote: "Ami wrote: "Peter wrote: "Ami wrote: "I didn't realize that there was game...how curious? Was it fun, what was the premise?"It was a role-playing game with a card game mechanism, where you explor..."
Sounds great, Nutmegger. Thanks!
Welcome to the April 2018 Wild Card Discussion for
Immediate Access to the Novel, Read it for Free
The Night Circus, Online
Our Discussion Tents, will be organized as follows...
Anticipation, Part I & Initial Thoughts
Part II
Part III
Parts IV-V & Final Thoughts
Discussion Period
April 15-May 15, 2018
Other Resources
It may behoove one to brush up on a little Shakespeare... *wink-wink* . The following links will direct you to a brief synopsis for:
Hamlet,
Romeo and Juliet,
The Tempest and As You Like It .