Monday 20 February 2012

The Night Circus

The Night Circus was so hyped prior to release last year that I couldn't go on Twitter, let alone enter a bookshop, without hearing how Erin Morgenstern's debut novel was amazingly magical and the best book of 2011.

Set in the late 1800's - early 1900's, Morgenstern debut presents a challenge between two opposing illusionists within a mysterious circus.   Short chapters with third person narrative which allows for multiple perspectives, ranging from the illusionists Celia and Marco, to employees and creators of the circus who are caught within this challenge and then to the visitors, such as young American teenager Bailey.

The book is beautiful in design (I love both the American and English covers) and theory, but is hollow in content.  Not enough time is spent with a single character to really know them; this meant that when major events did occur I never felt engaged emotionally.  There were some good ideas but overall I felt the book was screaming at me to find it magical.  Alas, it was a giant cliche.  

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