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A review by zomvi
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this for StoryGraph's first hosted readalong, so much of what I say here will be taken from my own forum comments.
At first, I did enjoy the shifting perspectives, but after finishing the book I feel that there wasn't much of a payout. These parts could have been used to pull the reader in better, or have provided more information or foreshadowing. The coming-of-age and passing-of-the-torch tropes seem a bit too convenient. I wish we got to know the characters more - I’m primarily a character-driven reader, and though many are intriguing to a certain extent, I’m not particularly fond of the overwhelming majority of the cast. Tsukiko is probably one character that interests me, but she does seem to be a bit stereotypical in the “eastern mysticism” kind of way that doesn’t really sit super well with me. I want to know more about the contest, the original rivalry that seemingly spawned this competition altogether, and indulge in more world-building, but it’s all a bit too vague. I wish there were specific Shakespeare quotes, instead of vague references as well. I’m also not really a fan of the love-triangle or enemies/rivals-to-lovers tropes, so was looking forward to some twists and turns or subverted expectations somehow,but was disappointed. I really did not find the romance compelling at all; there was no build-up or depth to the relationship.
I did enjoy a lot of the whimsical descriptions of the circus itself, especially the designs and performances or attractions, in particular. The use of color, and the black and white theme greatly complimented the day/night cycles the circus rigidly follows, and the contrasting chapters exploring the many mysterious characters added to the intrigue. I also really loved the food descriptions, and how immersive it felt while Morgenstern gave us the sights and tastes and smells of the scenes.
Regarding the ending,Marco and Celia are, quite frankly, not very good people for how they've treated Isobel, who receives very little, if any closure, relationship or narrative-wise, or any of the other people caught up in this contest, which they did not consent to. I also really feel bad for Bailey; he’s a young kid and getting so impulsively tied to the circus forever doesn’t seem fair at all. I liked the bit at the end with Widget and Poppet more than Celia and Marco’s conclusion, honestly. I also felt really bad for Chandresh, when it was revealed his manipulation from Marco was destroying his mind, and for Friedrick, who was killed abruptly to move the plot along. Marco also seemingly takes advantage of Celia's grief by flattering her after his death, in which they sleep together for the first time (YUCK!). There were so many characters I wish got more recognition, while others I was tired of hearing about.
Overall, glad I finally knocked it off my tbr, but it just wasn’t for me.
At first, I did enjoy the shifting perspectives, but after finishing the book I feel that there wasn't much of a payout. These parts could have been used to pull the reader in better, or have provided more information or foreshadowing. The coming-of-age and passing-of-the-torch tropes seem a bit too convenient. I wish we got to know the characters more - I’m primarily a character-driven reader, and though many are intriguing to a certain extent, I’m not particularly fond of the overwhelming majority of the cast. Tsukiko is probably one character that interests me, but she does seem to be a bit stereotypical in the “eastern mysticism” kind of way that doesn’t really sit super well with me. I want to know more about the contest, the original rivalry that seemingly spawned this competition altogether, and indulge in more world-building, but it’s all a bit too vague. I wish there were specific Shakespeare quotes, instead of vague references as well. I’m also not really a fan of the love-triangle or enemies/rivals-to-lovers tropes, so was looking forward to some twists and turns or subverted expectations somehow,
I did enjoy a lot of the whimsical descriptions of the circus itself, especially the designs and performances or attractions, in particular. The use of color, and the black and white theme greatly complimented the day/night cycles the circus rigidly follows, and the contrasting chapters exploring the many mysterious characters added to the intrigue. I also really loved the food descriptions, and how immersive it felt while Morgenstern gave us the sights and tastes and smells of the scenes.
Regarding the ending,
Overall, glad I finally knocked it off my tbr, but it just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse