Peace In The Margins

“You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus. You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”

Erin Morgenstern weaves an elegant tale of beauty, love, and magic within her uniquely created circus. It is a circus not of a single “big top” tent, but of many tents filled with grand experiences. Devastatingly beautiful and dark, The Night Circus reminds me of Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes which somehow becomes intertwined with Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. A life or death magical contest of wills which spills over into the circus, the performers, and guests alike – but each in a different manner.

The lyrical prose adds to the gothic beauty of this coming of age tale of survival and magical love.  I only picked this up through recommendations from others in the bookish world and am so glad I did. 

Celia and Marco are raised by their guardians for the sole purpose of competing in the ultimate, magical Battle Royal where the winner is the last illusionist standing. The magic in Morgenstern’s world is unlike anything I’ve experienced in other fictional worlds as the reader is confronted with the feeling that this could really happen, because people only see what they want. 

“People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see.” 

This is such a true statement and is why The Night Circus’ magic is believable. The circus foundation is pre-placed, but then the two pitted magicians build on the foundation creating worlds within the world, and thus beginning the competition. 

This dream-like circus is held together by Celia and Marco, the two are bound to it and each other. And as expected, they fall in love and use the circus as a way to declare that love. Each creating new tents – new worlds – new experiences for the other. So obvious that a key character says:

“I have been surrounded by love letters you two have built each other for years, encased in tents.” 

It is a beautiful story that will forever be on my favorites list. There are few tales that not only stay with me long after the last page has been turned but also that stick the ending. Many times, I feel as if the ending of most stories peter-out. It is as if the writer has lost the momentum at the end; Morgenstern makes the ending resonate beyond the last word.  

“And there are really never endings, happy or otherwise.” 

I encourage you, if this genre is one you gravitate toward, pick up The Night Circus. You won’t regret it.

An unsolicited review.

Until Next Time,

Alicia