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A review by my_corner_of_the_library
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
What a beautiful...nothing of a story...
I understand that many people really enjoy this book, and I can definitely see why, with it's beautiful and entrancing writing. However, I felt there was MUCH to be desired.
It really felt like there wasn't a plot at all to this book. Even the climax and incredibly anticlimactic. It took a long time to build up to with many promised consequences, but ultimately it was easily resolved by a random person with otherwise no significance and not further consequences. The consequences of this not happening? The circus ends. But we act as though this will end the lives of everyone, why? I'm not sure.
In fact, I'm not sure about much of anything with this book. The entire thing was painfully vague, to the point where I actually have a describing what happened in this book, because I'm not sure the author even knows. Many of the critical parts of this book that really needed at least some explanation were never fully explored, and the most interesting aspects of this world were simply never seen.
I would have loved to see how the magic of this world works, to watch them build tents and compete with each other, but almost all of it was done off page with years in between. I'm not sure what's exciting about that? The only thing that was ever really explained took far too long to get revealed and by the time it was I just didn't care anymore. Now, I understand that part of the tone of the book was the vagueness. It was supposed to give a mystical air about the circus, but it felt like a step too far, to the point I actually questioned if the author really knew what was supposed to be happening, due to how vague things were.
The only character I really want to touch on is Marco...oh how I grew to loathe Marco. He really felt like a self-absorbed character who didn't give two shits about anyone's feelings. The fact that it took him YEARS to break up with Isobel, while knowing that he was in love with Celia was seriously gross. He treated Isobel like shit and both her and Celia deserved better. At no point did I feel like he truly loved Celia. It felt more like he loved the idea of her, with no interest in giving anything to make their love work.
Ultimately, I didn't enjoy reading this book, and pushed through so that I could get to the reveal at the end, which didn't end up revealing anything.
I understand that many people really enjoy this book, and I can definitely see why, with it's beautiful and entrancing writing. However, I felt there was MUCH to be desired.
It really felt like there wasn't a plot at all to this book. Even the climax and incredibly anticlimactic. It took a long time to build up to with many promised consequences, but ultimately it was easily resolved by a random person with otherwise no significance and not further consequences. The consequences of this not happening?
In fact, I'm not sure about much of anything with this book. The entire thing was painfully vague, to the point where I actually have a describing what happened in this book, because I'm not sure the author even knows. Many of the critical parts of this book that really needed at least some explanation were never fully explored, and the most interesting aspects of this world were simply never seen.
I would have loved to see how the magic of this world works, to watch them build tents and compete with each other, but almost all of it was done off page with years in between. I'm not sure what's exciting about that? The only thing that was ever really explained took far too long to get revealed and by the time it was I just didn't care anymore. Now, I understand that part of the tone of the book was the vagueness. It was supposed to give a mystical air about the circus, but it felt like a step too far, to the point I actually questioned if the author really knew what was supposed to be happening, due to how vague things were.
The only character I really want to touch on is Marco...oh how I grew to loathe Marco. He really felt like a self-absorbed character who didn't give two shits about anyone's feelings. The fact that it took him YEARS
Ultimately, I didn't enjoy reading this book, and pushed through so that I could get to the reveal at the end, which didn't end up revealing anything.