Author: Erin Morgenstern
I absolutely LOVE this book – an utterly thrilling, divinely magical and imaginative fantasy. It has taken the top spot in my current-favourite-reads; although is not that current having been first published in 2011. (The edition I read was published by Vintage in 2012.) I want to live in the world that Erin has so expertly created or, at the very least, have the opportunity to spend an evening meandering through le Cirque des Reves; scarlet scarf over a black overcoat of course!
I’m finding it quite difficult to describe this book other than rave about how intoxicating it was and just how much I enjoyed it. Within the pages, Erin has created another world – one where magic, illusion and reality collide. The Night Circus is dreamlike escapism with addictive description.
Without warning, the circus will appear – in different cities and locations around the world – and remain open only from dusk until dawn. Entwined within its creation are two magicians, pitted against each other in a fierce competition. There is mystery, intrigue, passion and love – love for the circus, love between friends, love unrequited and love lusted after.
Initially, I was apprehensive about the length of the text but I needn’t have been; as the end drew nearer I was willing more pages to appear. I would have happily carried on reading indefinitely. Each chapter does not flow chronologically into the next and so the story unfolds in a mixed way – reflective of the tale – but I was able to follow with ease. It did challenge my imagination, to picture the scenes, settings and wonders described, but in a very good way.
I can not wait for Erin Morgenstern’s highly-anticipated next novel – The Starless Sea – due in the Autumn (2019).
Folded corners... 