The premise

[Natalia]

I've just finished The Night Circus and even though i loved it, i think that the way this book is described is misleading. The whole thing about the competition might be the reason why so many people end up disappointed. This book is not about an exciting duel, it's just about not killing yourselfut (so real), and for me
it's mainly about the circus, the whole community around it and stories in general. It's really hard to describe (because yes, it's not really plot driven book) but the conversation between Widget and Alexander does excuse some of it's problems - partially, lack of direction, plus it's the moment we learn, we're reading story that is being told beacuse of love they have for the circus, what they do, ect.
Still the book has flaws and people have a right to dislike it. But I'm curios if I'm the only one who thinks this way, and it'd benefit from different advertisement.
(sorry for mistakes but english is not my first language)

[Ashleigh]

I completely agree with that you wrote. I think the description on the back of the book is a poor representation of what the book is actually about. Is there a competition? Yes. Is it a strong focus in the story? Definitely not. With all that said, I still very much enjoyed the book, but it was definitely not what I was anticipating... And I understand the reviews that I read saying such things as "it's a book about nothing" or that it's "lacking direction". But I think sometimes it's fun to know know where you are going with a story.

[Kaeru]

I got the book mainly from the cover, never read the synopsis until I finish the book. And I agree that the story is not plot driven but I love how circular it goes with the Bailey, The chapters about him and his friends didn't seem to fit anywhere but as the story progresses we have that "oh, so this is what's going on" moment that I loved it.