The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

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 both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

Why I Picked It Up

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I reread The Night Circus every so often. Usually, either in the summer or around Christmastime. (I've noticed that December is really the one time per year I crave an escapist fantasy in this sense; if I read speculative, it tends to be real-world grounded.) It's one of those perfect storm books that checks so many boxes in a way that feels—dare I say—like magic.

My print copy has been passed around so much that the binding eventually fell apart and I had to rebuy a fresh copy; I've also listened to it on audio, which was my most recent experience—while packing up my studio in Waialua, I finished listening to it just as I finished clearing out my garage, which will now be a vivid memory.

By now, I'm sure with the rise of romantasy that there are other magicians-warring books. Is that not the plot of The Atlas Six, etc. But The Night Circus is, to me, my original.

About the Book

First, the atmosphere is decadent. Having the rules of the circus, aesthetically, probably keeps it from feeling chaotic or unmoored. Instead the circus, the constraints (which the magicians mention themselves) add to the fabulosity and grandeur of the dreamy enchantments.

Structurally, The Night Circus is dizzying without losing its footing, making the pace genius rather than chaotic. Non-chronological narratives are so tricky, but it works here. The omniscient feel is still warm while the web weaves tighter and tighter. Very few people can pull off that structure, and even Morgenstern herself doesn't quite replicate her plotting genius in later books. (Unfortunately, I found The Starless Sea to be disappointing to me. It had a high standard to live up to. Many people prefer that one though—just personal taste.)

So first, the atmosphere and detail. It's sensory, which I've learned is a core part of my reading taste. It's delectable, decadent, and intentional. The circus is reflected in the text (form following function: also a core part of my taste.) Every so often, there's a lovely little second-person vignette about you (the circus-goer) weaving through a fantastical assortment of tents. Pure delight.

I don't entirely care about the romance between Celia and Marcus, although the entire plot hinges on it. I'm here for the vibes, but the book, unlike many vibe-based books, doesn't otherwise ring hollow and rely on diction and cliché. The worldbuilding is built into every description. It's clever, heady, and dreamy while still grounded in necessary, plot-propelling stakes. All in all, a wonderful combination.

Overall Thoughts

Erin Morgenstern used to write about NaNoWriMo (before it disbanded) and had mentioned her previous drafts were all messes. This is a book in which the depth of revision is clear, because it must have been an absolute beast to execute.

I have a few catch-all recommendations (like A Study in Charlotte) that capture readers across genres, and The Night Circus is one of them. For those who grew up on a childhood series like Harry Potter or Eragon, you might experience the same magic of cracking it open.

I have yet to find a book that provokes the same effect for me, but some of that is due to my waning interest in fantasy. I very much have to be in the right mood, and then there is so much out there (per the romantasy boom this year) that I get overwhelmed. ("Is this what normal people feel like at the bookstore?")

All in all, I'd love to explore beyond The Night Circus but I just adore it. It's a gem.