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goziratozira's review against another edition
5.0
Some moments felt like opening Widget's bottles.
Quote from p. 381:
"It is important," the man in the grey suit interrupts.
"Someone needs to tell those tales (...) There's magic in that.
It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict (...)"
erinc82's review against another edition
It was too slow for me and not interesting at all.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audio book performed by Jim Dale
The circus arrives without notice. Clad entirely in black and white, the tents materialize overnight. While it is in the vicinity patrons flock to its gates, open only from nightfall to dawn. Yet this strange colorless world within the iron fence is vibrant and alive. The public is enchanted and awed by the spectacle of acrobats, fortune tellers, an ice garden and the beautiful illusionist. What the public doesn’t know is that the circus is but a venue for a decades-long competition pitting two fledgling magicians against one another. And the competitors, Celia and Marco, are themselves the puppets of two senior magicians, Hector and Alexander.
Morgenstern has created a unique world, and a love story that is infused with magic. To her credit she doesn’t overly explain the wonder, but allows the reader to experience the spectacle and fantasy on her own. It is a product of her imagination that fuels the reader’s own imagination. I didn’t think she really explored the love story very well; Celia and Marco have few scenes together and there is a palpable magnetism between them, but not very much basis for love. But this is a fantasy, a dream, a wish, an illusion. And while I agree with the character who warns “dreams can become nightmares,” I sure enjoyed living in this dream for a while.
Jim Dale is spectacular performing the audio book. My only complaint is that virtually everyone has a British accent (except for the Scottish twins and the German Mr Thiessen). Celia was raised in New York, and Bailey in Massachusetts, so their voices should have been more “American.” But that’s really a small complaint. I was skeptical going into the book. It’s not the genre I usually gravitate to and I was expecting that it would not live up to the hype. But Dale’s performance captured me at the outset and I happily followed his voice through this magical novel.
Oh, and while it has nothing at all to do with what is inside the covers, I just have to say that the publisher did a wonderful job of packaging this novel. The cover art is wonderful, the end papers and section separators add to the feeling that the reader has fallen into this world.
The circus arrives without notice. Clad entirely in black and white, the tents materialize overnight. While it is in the vicinity patrons flock to its gates, open only from nightfall to dawn. Yet this strange colorless world within the iron fence is vibrant and alive. The public is enchanted and awed by the spectacle of acrobats, fortune tellers, an ice garden and the beautiful illusionist. What the public doesn’t know is that the circus is but a venue for a decades-long competition pitting two fledgling magicians against one another. And the competitors, Celia and Marco, are themselves the puppets of two senior magicians, Hector and Alexander.
Morgenstern has created a unique world, and a love story that is infused with magic. To her credit she doesn’t overly explain the wonder, but allows the reader to experience the spectacle and fantasy on her own. It is a product of her imagination that fuels the reader’s own imagination. I didn’t think she really explored the love story very well; Celia and Marco have few scenes together and there is a palpable magnetism between them, but not very much basis for love. But this is a fantasy, a dream, a wish, an illusion. And while I agree with the character who warns “dreams can become nightmares,” I sure enjoyed living in this dream for a while.
Jim Dale is spectacular performing the audio book. My only complaint is that virtually everyone has a British accent (except for the Scottish twins and the German Mr Thiessen). Celia was raised in New York, and Bailey in Massachusetts, so their voices should have been more “American.” But that’s really a small complaint. I was skeptical going into the book. It’s not the genre I usually gravitate to and I was expecting that it would not live up to the hype. But Dale’s performance captured me at the outset and I happily followed his voice through this magical novel.
Oh, and while it has nothing at all to do with what is inside the covers, I just have to say that the publisher did a wonderful job of packaging this novel. The cover art is wonderful, the end papers and section separators add to the feeling that the reader has fallen into this world.
nicolicristini's review against another edition
4.0
Muito imersivo, descritivo e fantástico. Não me conectei/importei muito com os personagens. Acho que algumas coisas sobre eles poderiam ter sido mais exploradas…
Mesmo assim, foi uma leitura bem agradável.
Não teve muito do romance que foi insinuado no marketing do livro e achei o personagem Bailey mais interessante que o casal!
Mesmo assim, foi uma leitura bem agradável.
Não teve muito do romance que foi insinuado no marketing do livro e achei o personagem Bailey mais interessante que o casal!
juanitad15's review against another edition
4.0
This was pretty magical. The pacing and storytelling was really unique. I enjoyed it but it’s hard to grasp the entirety of the story. I think that’s the point.
timmi_prvt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Erin Morgensterns Stil passt perfekt zu der Handlung und schreibt mystische Atmosphäre auf 500 Seiten.
es153's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
sophsoph42's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
margotgabriella's review against another edition
5.0
Being the first book I gave 5 stars in the last month, this was brilliantly and utterly amazing! The magic that pulled me into this unique story is still strong and very here with me. I loved every single aspect of this story and wish to reread it as soon as I find the time to do so. The story started slow, but somehow that made it even more adorable. I love the night circus and it definitely one of my favourite stories that I read this year so far!