Book Review: The Night Circus

by: Erin Morgenstern

Erin Morgenstern’s debut novel is a fantastical adventure revolving around Le Cirque des Reves, an enchanted circus that is open only from sunset to sunrise.

The plot unfolds as two magic men (not magicians, who simply give the illusion of real magic) with two distinct beliefs about magic create a competition for their apprentices to partake in that will pit each other’s skills and differing styles against one another. One believes natural ability trumps all while the other claims everything can be learned through books and study. It is an interesting debate of nature vs. nurture set in a world of magic.

The game takes place at Le Cirque des Reves and there are many interesting characters throughout. Everyone seems to have a part to play in advancing the storyline and even the secondary characters are important figures. The only thing more interesting than the performers is the circus itself. Described in amazing detail by Morgenstern, I cannot do it justice here. Simply know that it is massive, always changing, appears and disappears mysteriously and everything inside is colored black, white and gray.

The Night Circus is very open ended. The time period changes chapter-to-chapter as the story is explained in a non-linear way; the circus sets up all over the world so the location can get lost sometimes; there are so many involved characters that the narration and character voices can be confused. But the biggest difficulty was convincing myself that magic is a skill that can be learned. Even if you are not born with that ability you can just crack open a book and teach yourself. This was a formidable concept to accept because we have been taught (through the Harry Potters of the world) that there is a clear distinction between magic and Muggle.

I give Morgenstern credit for forcing the reader to question their own preconceived notions about magic and the power of learning. She really aimed high in her first book and succeeded in a grand way.

P.S. There is also an interactive puzzle game available to play online as a companion to the book.