Love and War at the Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I don't think I ever would have picked up this book and read it on my own, but it was recommended by a new peep.  I think she mainly wanted me to shut up about Age of Miracles, so she showed up in my office with this.

The description reads:

"The circus arrives without warning.  No announcement 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 Reves, 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 both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing.  Amidst the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance."

The book takes place at the tail end of the 1800's and the beginning of the 1900's, as the circus jumps around the globe, transported by a magic train.  The chapters jump as much as the circus; each one is a different character in a different city in a different year.  I found it distracting and after a while I didn't pay much attention to it.  Because of this, I don't believe I would have ever become interested if I hadn't had uninterrupted chunks of time in which to read this (sitting in the airport, on the plane, in the hotel room).  As it was, it took me around 75+ pages to get into it and if my life hadn't afforded me these chunks of time, I would have quit.  But I'm glad I didn't.

Morgenstern's descriptions of the circus, the characters and their magical talents are interesting and unique.  I think the whole circus/magic thing has been exhausted in books and movies these days, but as Celia and Marco duel with each other, their acts and expressions get more and more fantastic, which is enjoyable.  And by the end, I really was anxious to know how it was going to play out.

If you need to get swept up in the story from page one, this probably isn't the book for you.  Also, if you only have snippets of time in which to read, this may not be the book for you.  But if the premise sounds interesting, give it a shot.  Morgenstern delivers a magical tale and some endearing characters...eventually.

Enjoy!