“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” – Oscar Wilde, 1888
When a book opens up with those words, it’s hard not to expect to be wooed and be swept off your feet. So with so much anticipation, I started my journey with The Night Circus, and let’s just say my expectations were not only met but perhaps it was even surpassed.
“People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see.”
Erin Morgenstern‘s debut novel, The Night Circus offers a story of romance centered in a mysterious traveling circus which arrives from town to town unannounced and is only open at night. The circus is composed of the most colorful and eccentric group of people set to entertain and challenge your sense of reality with their out this world tricks and magical shows. Unknowingly to the public and to certain members of the circus itself, a competition is underway. Between two people who are bounded long ago, raised in an awareness that there will be a time and place where they will meet and participate in a duel. A battle of the best in the manipulation of illusion.
“It’s as if there is love and loss at the same time, together in a kind of beautiful pain.”
The two participants being Marco and Celia, who were raised in completely opposite school of thoughts under two different masters. As the two discover the unwritten rules of engagement in their competition, they found themselves entranced with each other even if they haven’t set eyes on one another. With Le Cirque des Réves in the middle of this, the story sets out starting with building the circus, from the design and infrastructure up to the acts that will perform in each tent. Different lives get entangled with those of Celia and Marco. From the members of the circus, the creative minds behind Le Cirque des Réves, to the die-hard fans of the Night Circus up to a simple boy who dared enter the premises in the morning before its usual operating hours.
I must say that I haven’t been so enthralled with a novel for quite a long time. The Night Circus captivated me from the first few chapters until the very end. It was beautifully written in a way that the romance between Celia and Marco was not instant and that the reader will feel the progression of their relationship. As if you are standing witness to the both of them perform each act of illusion as their manifestation of their feelings for one another. Morgenstern is magnificent in stringing her words to give us an enchanting atmosphere as you dare enter Le Cirque des Réves and discover its mysteries.
The Night Circus is beautifully crafted and worded. It’ll capture your senses and every chapter will leave you feeling the luxurious landscape and bewitching atmosphere. The complex characters will capture your heart and the love story of Marco and Celia will have you hoping for a happy fairytale ending.
“Do not forget that… there are many kinds of magic, after all.”
I didn’t expect to fall in love with this book as hard I actually did. I would recommend this easily to those dreamers and believers of all things magical and enchanted.
Read: May 30, 2016
The BookNut Verdict: 5 out of 5
The BookNut 
Yep, “enthralling” is the peer fact word to describe this beautiful story. Celia and Tsukiko are two of my all-time favorite fictional characters.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! I was really captivated with the way Erin Morgenstern put together her words and created her characters, I equally love Poppet and Widget and Celia too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bailey is so sweet, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person