The Night Circus

A Novel

By: Erin Morgenstern

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway - a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love - a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

©2011 Erin Morgenstern (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

" The Night Circus made me happy. Playful and intensely imaginative, Erin Morgenstern has created the circus I have always longed for, and she has populated it with dueling love-struck magicians, precocious kittens, hyper-elegant displays of beauty, and complicated clocks. This is a marvelous book." (Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife)

"Self-assured, entertaining debut that blends genres and crosses continents in quest of magic…. Generous in its vision and fun to read. Likely to be a big book—and, soon, a big movie, with all the franchise trimmings." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Debut author Morgenstern doesn't miss a beat in this smashing tale of greed, fate, and love... a giant, magical story destined for bestsellerdom. This is an electric debut on par with Special Topics in Calamity Physics." ( Publishers Weekly)

E xcellent

Best book I’ve listened to since Harry Potter. Jim Dale is the most talented narrator Barr none. Don’t miss this fantastic book. Sorry it’s finished!

Loved this book!

Loved the narration, the story, everything! Chapters inntricately and wonderfully woven together in a way that keeps its reader infinitely enthralled and constantly mesmerized.

Beautiful Mysterious Story

A feast for the senses.
Excellent narration.

Reminded me of a mix between a mystery, The Great Gatsby, Alice and Wonderland, and a complicated love story.

Enchantingly Spectacular

I read this book a few years ago and loved it enough to make it my first download from Audible. I have enjoyed revisiting the Night Circus and its mystifying cast of characters. The author presents the story in a way that lets the reader / listener create a breathtaking movie of the mind. ~j~

Truly remarkable!

I loved it. Read it, listen to it and be amazed at the incredible narration by Jim Dale. He brought the whole thing to life in a way that I can't imagine any other narrator could have. The story is enchanting.
It hooked me from the sample, and that was not even close to the best part!

A sumptuous feast for the ears

What did you love best about The Night Circus?

The descriptions of the Circus and the people who populate it; in fact, all of the descriptions are gorgeous without being laborious and truly were a feast for the ears. I SAW the Circus and its many unusual tents.

Any additional comments?

This is a great, sweeping story that stays manageable by focusing on the experiences of a good handful of excellently rendered characters.

Ear Candy! A Truly Enjoyable Listen.

This book was such a pleasure to listen to! The narrator, Jim Dale, was outstanding. His voice, itself, was magical! He really brought the characters to life.

I've noticed that some reviewers found the copious imagery and intricate descriptions to be tedious. I, on the other hand, found it enchanting, and I feel it greatly added to the experience. The story was centered around the very sensory, dreamy, atmospheric world of Le Cirque des Rêves. The magical atmosphere was described so vividly at times, that it became intoxicatingly real to the reader. It was a world created and held together by magic and illusion. The reader was cunningly led to question what was real and what was, in fact, an illusion. Things were never was they seemed to be. In some books over-description hinders the progress of the story, but in this case, I believe it made it a richer experience. Never, ever, did I have the feeling of "Oh, why doesn't she just get on with it already."

Some readers were put off by the fact that the story takes place over a thirty-year period. The author also provides details about the history of the circus even farther back. Although the story unfolds over many. many years, I believe this is essential to the story. It provides context and adds to the feeling of hopelessness and longevity to the playing of "the game" in which the players find themselves trapped. They are tired, overwhelmed, yet find that they must continue playing with no end in sight.

Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot and was sad when it ended. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author!

Best Book I've read since Harry Potter 😀

I originally bought this book years ago and after moving several times and losing track of it somewhere in a billion boxes I bought it on audible. It is just as amazing as when I first read it. Morgenstern's writing is absolutely, positive beautiful. I also loved how she chose to address the reader aa part of the experience. it is a must read!

I love this story!

This is my new favorite book! The story started out a bit slow. When it picked up, it took flight! I couldn't stop listening. The narration was perfect. I can't wait to see what Erin Morgenstern comes out with next!

Get it!

It's Jim Dale narrating!!! Enough said!
Magic, love, stem-punk feel with machines, human pawns, and illusions.