"One of the '100 imaginary places you must visit before you die.'" The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Become enchanted by The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. You’ll be in some fine company!
The Circus arrives on September 13, 2011, but in the meantime, see what your fellow readers, authors, press, and booksellers are saying about the book below. Read an early excerpt HERE and visit Erin on Facebook!
“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
“Erin Morgenstern is an artist and a fabulist, and, with her debut novel, The Night Circus, she’s suddenly a fantastically successful author as well. Morgenstern’s yarn is escapism at its finest. If the aroma of popcorn, caramel, and a burning bonfire doesn’t leave you bewitched, then a whirlwind climb through the enchanting Cloud Maze or a stroll through the lush and charming Ice Garden will. Morgenstern’s Circus is the stuff that dreams are made of, and nothing short of a wild ride. —Elle
“Debut author Morgenstern doesn’t miss a beat in this smashing tale of greed, fate, and love set in a turn of the 20th-century circus. Supporting characters…are perfectly realized and live easily in a giant, magical story destined for bestsellerdom. This is an electric debut on par with Special Topics in Calamity Physics.” —Publishers Weekly, starred
“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, starred
“Debut novelist Morgenstern has written a 19th-century flight of fancy that is, nevertheless, completely believable. The smells, textures, sounds, and sights are almost palpable. A literary Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, this read is completely magical.
—Library Journal, starred
“This big and…compelling first novel ushers in a menacing tone with its first sentence. With appeal for readers not particularly geared to fantasy but who plainly enjoy an unusual and well-drawn story, this one will make a good crossover suggestion.”
—Booklist, starred
“Take a bow, Erin Morgenstern. This is one of the best books I have ever read.”
—Brunonia Barry, author of The Lace Reader
“A riveting debut. The Night Circus pulls you into a world as dark as it is dazzling, fully-realized but still something out of a dream. You will not want to leave it.” —Téa Obreht, author of The Tiger’s Wife
“Every once in awhile you find a novel so magical that there is no escaping its spell. The Night Circus is one of these rarities—engrossing, beautifully written and utterly enchanting. If you choose to read just one novel this year, this is it.”
—Danielle Trussoni, author of Angelology
“Pure pleasure…Erin Morgenstern is a gifted, classic storyteller, a tale- teller, a spinner of the charmed and mesmerizing.”
—Aimee Bender, author of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
“The Night Circus is a gorgeously imagined fable…The tale is masterfully written and invites allegorical interpretations even as its leisurely but persistent suspense gives it compelling charm. An enchanting read.”
—Katherine Dunn, author of Geek Love
“Morgenstern’s circus is a new place, one of the “100 imaginary places you must visit before you die.” –Mark Oswood
“Simply put, you couldn’t possibly not want to visit The Night Circus. I was utterly besotted by this book. It twists. It turns. It demands attention be paid to the timeline. I felt aggrieved at having to close The Night Circus and periodically return to my everyday world. It is now the top title on my gift-giving list.” –Margaret Drown Rasmussen
“This is a wonderful read—beautifully written with just the right amount of childlike wonder and adult emotion to keep the reader wanting more—Miss Morgenstern is truly a gifted author—as the Mad Hatter would say “Never lose your Muchness.” Looking forward to the audio and movie version but even more so her future books.” –Arleen Larzelere
“I predict that this book will be a smash hit. I was hooked from the first chapter and kept trying to find excuses to run away from other duties so I could snuggle up and drift away into this magic dream world. It is outstandingly visual and will translate wonderfully into film. Fans of Harry Potter should really adore the incredible cast of characters on a more sophisticated plane.” –Lani Strom
“This is one of the best books I have read in a long time! I wanted to read something different from my usual since I don’t read much fantasy. I wasn’t sure if this would hold my interest. This book was beyond fantasy—it was more like a surreal dream that draws one deeper into its world with each chapter. Highly recommended!” –Loren Baxtrom
“I absolutely adored this book! The Night Circus is an enchanting, magical fairy tale. From the beginning you are transported to another time and place, and you will not want to leave. This is a story about love, destiny, and magic and it is so beautifully written that I had to force myself to slow down and enjoy the writing instead of rushing ahead so that more of the story was revealed. This is a story that you will not soon forget. An absolute pleasure to read.” –Ilyse Bass
“I loved this book! It drew me into its world from the beginning and has not let me go, even though I am finished. I feel like starting again at the beginning, just to remain in the world of the circus. Morgenstern has created a feast for the senses in her characters and their story. The insertion of descriptions of individual circus tents and acts told from the point of view of the reader help to make you feel as if you are visiting The Night Circus as well.” –Stephanie White
“I loved this book!!! It is mystical, magical and illusionary. The characters are well-defined. The plot keeps us guessing and is a real page-turner. This is a first book for Erin Morgenstern and hopefully a bestseller!” –Darlene Mour
“This is a very intriguing book! I am excitedly turning pages and enjoying the magical (no pun implied) language that prefaces each movement of the characters…..What a joy it would be to see this book adopted for a movie….there is enough suspense that accompanies the personality quirks of each character…a nightly joy to read!!! Thank you.” –Paulette George
“And I thought that Flaubert could write sensual prose as a counterpoint to his journalistic style. I found the book a great read. The book is a major achievement for nothing else than the cinematic, descriptive evocations of places, characters, etc. Loved it.” –William Estill
“This is the most incredible book that I have read in years! It is in a league of its own and I predict that it will be a huge success. This is THE book that I plan to buy for family and friends.” –Kathleen Welhouse
“I did not want the story to end!I was reminded of Peter Straub’s novel Shadowland, Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, and the magical realism of Latin American literature. Older teens and adults will find this a fascinating read. A possible book club selection, too.” –Maureen Connelly
“Wow! Just finished The Night Circus and want to return immediately. This is a first novel that reveals an extremely talented and imaginative author, along with a mystical, magical world of love, conflict, and courage. I will carry this story and these characters with me for some time, and intend to highly recommend it to my book club.” –Patricia Schulze
“An amazing first novel—and it better not be the last one from Erin Morgenstern!” –Kathrin Cipcich
“I hated for this book to end. It was one of those delicious stories that you hate to put down to eat or sleep and look unhappily at how few pages are left as you near the end. This is an excellent first effort, which hopefully, will be the beginning of a wonderful career for Erin Morgenstern. I’m sure this is one book in which I will need to inscribe my name to assure that it is returned to me after it is repeatedly lent out.”
–Erica Minchella
“The Night Circus is full of wonderment and intrigue. It was quite difficult to put this book down, but when I did the magic still lingered in my head. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of curiosity and magic. Beautifully written…I absolutely adored this novel.” –Sara Summarell
“Fantastical journey!! Ms. Morgenstern has done an outstanding job of creating a truly magical world—sharing each and every incredible detail with the reader until we too are transported along with its wonderful characters. I did not want the book to end and it has stayed with me long after I read (and reread) the last line…Thank you to Ms. Morgenstern for reminding me of why I am a reader!” –Debbie Viggiano
Sheryl Cotleur at Book Passage: “Reading a novel like this is like being asked to come out and play—exhilarating!! [The Night Circus] is smart, inventive, creative, thoughtful, wise, pleasurable, and imaginative beyond measure. This is a fantastic story.”
Mark at Politics & Prose: “I read [The Night Circus] greedily in just a couple of days…what a great story, really a marvel.”
Geoff Jennings at Rainy Day Books: “Loved The Night Circus. LOVED IT.”
Adrian Newell at Warwick’s: “Wow! I’ve been late to work twice this week because I simply can’t put [The Night Circus] down. This is going to be huge!! Breathtaking, magical, who knew that the circus could be so interesting?”
Lindsey McGuirk at Village Books in Bellingham: “Reading this book made my heart flutter. It feels like the first time you see the night sky completely void of light pollution. Reading it is like being surrounded by lightning bugs. I felt like a child seeing an amusement park for the first time. I adore this book.”
Jamie Fiocco at Flyleaf Books: “A reader’s trifecta! I don’t know what to love the most; the captivating story, the richly detailed lives and trappings of the players, or the thoughts I’m left with now that the reading is done. I’m so impressed with Erin Morgenstern’s powers of imagination and her storytelling. What a treat!”
Stefanie Kiper at Water Street Bookstore: “I loved [The Night Circus]. Morgenstern has created such a compelling, complete world with this book. Cinematic, unique, memorable.”
Annie Philbrick at Bank Square Books, Inc.: “The Night Circus or Le Cirque des Reves as it is called, is a captivating and an illuminating debut novel. [Erin] Morgenstern has written a debut novel that will thrill you to the last page. It made me want to go back to the tablets of history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to see if such a night circus existed because Morgenstern’s writing certainly makes you think it did. From her first line ‘The circus arrives without warning,’ to the last ‘You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream,’ Morgenstern draws you into her world and does not let you go.”
Michele Filgate at RiverRun Bookstore: “Fans of Neil Gaiman and Harry Potter will find much to love in Erin Morgenstern’s imaginative and atmospheric debut novel. Reading The Night Circus is like viewing your own dreams through another person’s mind. There’s a familiarity but you never know quite what to expect.”
Elizabeth Jordan at BookPeople Bookstore: “Erin Morgenstern’s debut is cinematic and intoxicating. Taking place in a magical circus open only at night, it appeals to all five senses so that you can see the black and white circus tents, the intricate and fantastical exhibits, smell and taste the caramel apples, hear the ticking of clocks and the hushed admiration of the circus-goers, and feel the heat of the bonfire at the center of it all. I don’t remember the last time I was so thoroughly immersed in the world of a book. I didn’t want it to end!”
Cathy Langer at Tattered Cover: “Wow! I really loved [The Night Circus]. Magical, wonderful, brilliant, mysterious, and sensual. Erin Morgenstern created a world that I was happily lost in and want to go back to.”
Jenn Northington at WORD: “The Night Circus is an exquisite pleasure to read. Tightly written, beautifully told—I predict that readers of both literary and speculative fiction will find themselves just as entranced as I was.”
Jamil Zaidi at The Elliott Bay Book Company: “I [am] amazed [by The Night Circus]…I cannot think of anyone who likes to read who will not be absolutely smitten with this tremendous journey of the imagination.”
BJ Bloebaum at Powell’s: “I found myself quite enchanted [with The Night Circus]. It has all the elements that I love—magic, mystery, True Love, clockwork devices, great sacrifice—all in a setting that is so very well described that I could see it clearly in my mind. It ended up sucking me in so deeply that I lost track of time.”
Stephanie Crowe at Page & Palette: “Wow!!!!!!! What a magical, mesmerizing ride! I loved it!!”
Eric Sample at Barnes & Noble: “How many different ways can I say I LOVE THIS BOOK!”
Erik C. Barnum at Northshire Bookstore: “This first novel is a dazzling and beguiling literary debut, and should not be ignored. The suspenseful plot is an intriguing backdrop to an exquisitely written fable and love story that I found to be completely irresistible.”
Caitlin Harrison at The Book Bin: “What a beautiful, beautiful book! Each chapter is like discovering a new tent in Le Cirque des Reves—mysterious and full of living magic. I finished it in one go, well after midnight, and couldn’t help feeling as I put it down that I was wandering away, dazzled, from the circus gates themselves.”
Bill Cusumano at Nicola’s Books: “If forced to use just one word, call it phantasmagorical.”
Cheryl Johnson at That Bookstore: “It’s a great book for adult and young readers: captivating, magical, and just fun in general…the best way to describe it is just magical!”
Nona Camuel at Coffeetree Books: “Erin paints a dream with her words in the The Night Circus. Meandering through the tents of Le Cirque, I wished that this truly existed, and did not want my visit to end! Superb! Many thanks, Erin!”
Emily Adams at Third Place Books: “I fell in love with the mysterious and magical world of The Night Circus. When I finished the book, I just sat on the couch and stared at the cover, holding it in both hands, unwilling to let go, wanting the story to continue. Throughout the book I felt wide-eyed, dazzled, transported by vivid imagery to a world where anything is possible and not everything is as it seems.”
Laura Miller at Peerless Books: “BEST BOOK EVER. The Night Circus is Morgenstern’s first book; if this is what we can expect from her, I look forward to the many other pieces of literary art that are certain to come…”
Elizabeth Anker at Alamosa Books LLC: “A book that will become an obsession. You will want to read it again as soon as you turn the last page…and then again.”
Anderson McKean at Page and Palette: “What a magnificent, mesmerizing novel. This enchanting debut by author Erin Morgenstern is a delight for the senses and the soul.”
Jessica Stockton Bagnulo at Greenlight Bookstore: “I adored The Night Circus. It is my favorite kind of fiction—the kind that is just a little larger and more wonderful than life. It is destined to attract readers of all kinds and persuasions, and then to enchant them.”
Emily Crowe at The Odyssey Bookshop: “If you believe that The Shire is worth saving, if you believe somewhere in your heart that your Hogwarts letter will still find you, if you believe in tesseracts and kything, this is the book for you. More than anything else, this is a book that rewards those readers who know that true magic lies in the believing, not in the object of belief.”
Sarah Knight at Northshire Bookstore: “What a wonderful imagination and original voice Erin Morgenstern has. I was mesmerized by the story, her characters, and her writing. I could see the characters in their exquisite clothing; picture the delights/amusements offered at each tent. What a magical novel. I was totally captivated by it.”
Emily Gaitlin at Reed’s GumTree: “The only thing I didn’t like about THE NIGHT CIRCUS was that I finished it! I wanted more! I felt like I was actually a part of the most whimsical and wonderful circus ever created.”
Holly Frakes at Schuler Books: “[One] of the best books I have read in recent memory… The Night Circus awakened my imagination and was so intriguing and unique. Wow.”
Lanora Haradon at Next Chapter Books: “This novel is going to be bigger than The Time Traveler’s Wife. It’s going to be bigger than The Secret Life of Bees!”
Lincoln Eddy at Schuler Books: “[The Night Circus] is by far the best book I’ve read in a long time…I loved it and I will be rereading it many times.”
Whitney Spotts at Schuler Books: “An excellent debut.”
Nancy Simpson-Brice at The Book Vault: “Share the amazement. You will become consumed by this book until the very last word. Strap yourself in for The Night Circus. This is the type of book that should be debated over cups of coffee-grown-cold, long, long into the night! Highly recommended.”
Pete Schulte at Tattered Cover: “Trust me, you won’t want to exit this circus until the very last sentence.”
Georgiana at Magnolia Books: “Erin Morgenstern has a wondrous mind and a way of writing that transmits her wonder directly and cleanly, yet suffused with the magic she feels. WOW.”
David Joslin at Mysterious Galaxy Books: “What a wonderful, truly magical, book!”
Kenny Brechner at DDG Booksellers: “Anyone who does not enter the pages of this novel will be much the poorer for it. This magnificent tale of tales, of bindings and passionate contests, of adjoining rooms of wonder and intimacy, is itself a wonder and a challenge to all who enter. Whether you call it magic or manipulation, Morgenstern has employed her art to put on a literary spectacle, a variant of the world serpent which swallows its own tail, encompassing all within itself, whose movements shake the world within, and which lives forever.”
Barbara Theroux at Fact & Fiction: “What an amazing book. Before I finished I was plotting ways to tell people about it.”
Drew Williams at Little Professor Book: “I. Loved. It. All in all, a phenomenal novel.”
Renee Wilson at Auraria Campus Bookstore: “I absolutely loved the [The Night Circus]; it was hard to put down. Really [it] was the best I’ve read in years.”
Nikki Furrer at Puddn’head Books: “Oh. My. God. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. I want to live in it. It’s elegant and strong and fantastical in just the right way. It’ll be an easy handsell for most of our regular customers, and I expect it to have strong sales all the way through Christmas. I’ve been craving anything magic, and I love all things circus, so this was my thing anyway, but it’s so well done, I think it’s going to be a big book for quite some time. PLEASE tell me she’s finished her second book!”
Cat Connolly at Watermark Books & Café: “Surreal, decadent, hypnotic—such words evoke the canopy Erin Morgenstern has pitched in her novel, The Night Circus. Equal parts Water for Elephants and The Prestige, the plot coils its way into the spectacle of the mysterious world of Le Cirque des Rêves itself, coming to regard with a serpentine gaze the tangle of love and rivalry at the knot’s heart.”
Penelope Barcelo at Kepler’s: “Ms. Morgenstern has truly crafted a world, rich with lyricism and grandiose and one I found very hard to leave.”
David Menard at Watermark Book Company: “The story, the language, the characters—I’ve had dreams less vivid. Masterful!
Lynn Riggs at Books & Company: “It is a bewitching kaleidoscope of a world with an enigmatic tattooed contortionist, a remarkable set of twins, and a very ordinary young man as enthralled by the circus as you will be by this book. But at it’s most basic, it is an enchanting story of love.”
Lisa Baudoin at Books & Company: “Pop some popcorn and get comfortable because you will not want to put this one down. ”
Linda Bond at Auntie’s: “I was alternately chilled and warmed, but always enchanted by this unexpected tale.”
Karyn Reis at Read Booksellers: “It’s a moving love story in which the lines between magic and reality are blurred together. A gorgeous read indeed.”
Becca Wren at Joseph-Beth Booksellers: “This is going to be HUGE. Love it! LOVE IT!”
Susie at Old Firehouse Books: “One of the best books I’ve read this year. The author has created a setting with a life of its own that the reader will want to return to again and again.”??
Kat Bailey at Bookshop Santa Cruz: “The Night Circus is a sparkling blend of fairy tale, romance and magic—think Aimee Bender meets Harry Potter, in 19th century Europe. A gorgeous, complex book that will stay glued to your hands for days.”
Stacie M. Williams at Boswell Book Company: “This continuous dreamscape of a novel juggles a tale of fated characters with exquisite descriptions of a magical place where ice gardens grow, cloud mazes climb high into the sky, and wishes can come true.”
Dana Schulz? at ?Snowbound Books?: “I’m in love. The opening reminds me of the City of Forgotten Books in The Shadow of the Wind. This is going to be huge.”