Review & Giveaway: The Night Circus
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Doubleday
Publish Date: September 13, 2011
Format: Hardcover | 400 pages
Rating: 4 of 5
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.
The circus itself is a stage, a venue, for a competition between two young magicians who have been trained in illusion and magic from an early age. They are destined to bring the game to its conclusion; neither is allowed to quit. But what was not supposed to happen was that they would fall in love.
This is a beautifully written story, a fairy tale filled with magic and mystery. Through Erin Morgenstern’s descriptive prose it was effortless to see the enchanting black and white circus. The imagery is so vivid I could imagine myself walking along the paths between the circus tents and entering the fantasy world she has created.
As beautiful and visually captivating the story was, I could not feel the same way about the characters. They were overshadowed by the brilliance of the circus itself. I could not feel the passion, the intensity, that was supposed to be there for Celia and Marco, the two young magicians. One of the many secondary characters, Bailey, a young visitor to the circus who is befriended by several of the performers, was one of the more interesting and developed characters.
This book was a slower than usual read for me, partly because I wanted to soak in the imagery and partly due to the confusing timeline. The story is not told in a linear fashion. There are many short chapters with no clue as to where we are in time or space other than the chapter heading with the date and city. Often I’d have to flip back a few pages to find out where we were. There were two stories that intersected in the final section of the book but we could have done with a little less back and forth in time.
In spite of my critique I genuinely enjoyed the book. I wish the characters would have been a little more richly constructed, but for me The Circus was the star and it shone brightly.
About The Author
Erin Morgenstern is a writer and a multimedia artist, who describes all her work as “fairy tales in one way or another.” She lives in Massachusetts. Visit her at her Website and Blog.
Giveaway Information
Thanks to Doubleday Books I have two copies of The Night Circus to give away to my readers.
- Contest is open to US addresses only, no PO Boxes.
- To enter leave a comment. You don’t have to be a subscriber to enter, but new subscribers are always appreciated. Be sure to include your email address in the comment form.
- Contest closes at midnight, Sunday, October 23rd. I will draw 2 winners using random.org. Winners will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond with a mailing address.
- The book will be shipped by the publisher.
[Contest Now Closed]
Winners are Mary DeBorde and Marci J.
—————-
Review copy provided by Doubleday Books.
Exciting…I’m one of those new lurkers thanks to BBAW. I have been following this book around trying to win a copy. Maybe this is the time. I love these atmospheric/fantasy novels. I want to be lost in a new world. Thank you for your honest review. please enter me. savvyverseandwit at gmail
LikeLike
I’m not a reader of fantasy novels but most everyone has raved about this book so – I think I should give it a try! Great review.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
LikeLike
I’ve heard so many good things about this book! I’d love to read it! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
LikeLike
I’ve been seeing this nook around the blogosphere and I would live to check it out. Thanks for the chance.
Email subscriber
monagargATyahooDOTcom
LikeLike
thanks for the opportunity to read this fabulous novel…i’m an email subscriber, too 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the giveaway! Too bad about the characters not standing out more, I can see how that would slow my reading down too. Thanks for the honest review! I would very much like to win a copy!
Laura Kay
anovelreview(@)yahoo(.)com
LikeLike
Thanks for your honest review. The Circus may be a “character” itself. I would like to read this book, Leslie. Please enter me in the giveaway. I will post this in my blog’s sidebar. 🙂
suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
No need to enter me, as I’ve already read it. Sounds like we had similar thoughts; the writing was good, the circus was great, but the characters could have been developed more. I still loved it, though.
LikeLike
Everyone loves this book so much that I’m a little scared to read it. No need to enter me.
LikeLike
thanks so much fro this giveaway. I’m currently listening to this book, and would enjoy having a copy for friends. Emma @ Words And Peace, a faithful follower. ehc16e at yahoo dot com
LikeLike
Count me in please!
streamgrass77(at)aol(dot)com
LikeLike
Thanks for your review. I completely agree. I had a really hard time following the timeline when listening to the audio version. I thought the paper version might be easier.
LikeLike
Since this book arrived on the scene, I have read many interesting reviews…
I think this book is right down my alley!
Many thanks, Cindi
LikeLike
I seriously cannot wait to read read this. I have heard sooo many great things about it. thanks for the giveaway!
katie_tp(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
LikeLike
I have heard nothing but great things about this, and I have been wanting to get my hands on a copy just haven’t yet. Thanks for the chance to win it 🙂
supagurlheather @ gmail. com
LikeLike
I am so looking forward to this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
layersofthought (at)gmail(dot)com.
LikeLike
I have been hearing such rave reviews it is nice to read a more balanced review.
Thanks for the giveaway and I am a new follower 🙂
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net
LikeLike
I just found your blog via the Literary Blog Hop, and I’m really enjoying going back through your older posts! So glad to have found you!
I would love to be considered for this giveaway… I’ve heard so many different things about this book but am starting to feel really left out!
LikeLike
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
LikeLike
Wonderful! I’ve heard such wonderful things about how this book looks and feels, not to mention the great story. Thanks for the chance to win!
LikeLike
I have heard great things about this book and its been hyped up alot. Thanks for the chance to win this book 🙂
LikeLike
I absolutely never win anything, but I thought I’d at least try to win this one, since it’s a book I almost bought last Tuesday at Wal-Mart.
I have a little giveaway going each month on my blog. I’d love to have you stop by and throw your name into the hat for it. Or, perhaps, read my Sunday Salon post today….
LikeLike
I recently heard about this book and I am so intrigued. Thanks for the incredible giveaway 🙂
Renee
fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com
LikeLike
Hi there 😀
I am new to your wonderful blog, just out bouncing around the book blogging world lol
Thank you for such a super-duper-sweet giveaway!!! *YAY* – I’ve been wanting to read/own
The Night Circus ever since I saw it’s amazing cover!
Just signed up to follow you via email~
Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com
LikeLike
This sounds great! I’ve heard so many stellar reviews about this and saw it on the front page of the WSJ in September or so. I’m really excited about this one. Fantastic opportunity! Thank you so much for posting it on here !
Just signed up & subscribed!
Kara D
supersonic182@gmail.com
@karasmannequin
LikeLike
sounds fascinating – I’ve read several good reviews of this book. Would love the chance to read it myself! fingers crossed
LikeLike
I am adding your giveaway to the end of my review…. great giveaway Leslie!
LikeLike
Just found your blog via Sheila (Book Journey) Looking forward to reading more of your blog. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book – didn’t get into the Harry Potter series, but this sounds intriguing.
LikeLike
I was actually quite disappointed with the book.
There were too many descriptive passages that didn’t add anything to the story, and actually distracted from the circus itself.
My review is here, if you are interested:
http://theoncominghope.blogspot.com/2011/10/erin-morgenstern-night-circus-or-point.html
LikeLike
I just love the sound of this, even if the characters themselves aren’t as compelling as they could be. I actually appreciate reading a review that points out some not so stellar parts of the book, it helps keep my expectations in check.
Thanks for entering me.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
LikeLike
I have heard so much about this book and do plan to read it. Thanks for entering me in the contest. Good luck to me : )
LikeLike
I have read several good reviews for this book. THanks for the giveaway.
LikeLike
Thanks for the giveaway! Want to read so much.
Email: hernandezcassandra50 (at) yahoo (dot) com
LikeLike