Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Rating: 5/5 stars
Publisher: Doubleday
Goodreads Synopsis:
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, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.
Review:
i loved every moment of the book. there was never a dull moment. the imagery in every single page is nothing like i've ever read before. every page reads like a dream, and sometimes a nostalgic memory of an event that has never even happened to me before. it also has my favorite kind of pace. it's got that slow burn that you want lasting forever. the writing is magical and whimsical, creating the perfect atmospheric ambience that is the night circus. my favorite element of the book is definitely the nostalgic factor. god damn, the book is like a favorite memory hidden away in an old treasure box.
the characters are unique in their own ways, each with a different essence to the other. we have a contortionist, illusionist, fortune tellers, and so much more. the circus brings out the best in these characters. we read about more than just the background of the circus, why and how it started. the story s more than just the magical world of the night circus. there are factors of loss, exploring identity, love, conflict, and so much more. but it all seems very dream-like. you don't know for sure if what you're reading about a certain character is just a hazy dream, or if it's all real.
the romance in this novel is also very well done. the author does a blend of the classic forbidden love trope with a slow burn. you just want to savor every moment of it. and when something new happens, the room you're in will feel electric, and your skin starts to prick. it's amazing what the words in the book do to you. it's hypnotising and mesmerising, and you just ant to immerse yourself in the book until it never ends.
a lot of the concept in this book also reminds me of the studio ghibli film whisper of the heart. both mediums explore nostalgia and dreams in similar ways, comparing them to inanimate objects coming to life and using old clocks as a form of symbolism. both the film and the book also exudes the most magical and vintage vibe <3 and they leave the viewers/readers wanting more than they have to offer.
i highly, HIGHLY recommend this novel. and i recommend picking this up only when you find the need to. this is the kind of book that is only enjoyable when you're reading at your own pace, and at the right time. otherwise, it will drag.
a favorite for sure. i wish i can see the magic being played out in the big screen (or in real life!!). but at the same time, i don't want the images in my head to be ruined. so conflicting! nonetheless, an amazing, absolutely perfect read.
if you're interested in buying The Night Circus, you can click here to shop the book at Book Depository - i receive a small commission if you use the link! :)