The Night Circus

By: Erin Morgenstern

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Telling her tale with all the attention to detail that has led fans to compare her to such literary greats as H. G. Wells, Erin Morgenstern's world is as dark and thrilling as it is monochromatic.

Longlisted for the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction.

In 1886, a mysterious travelling circus becomes an international sensation. Open only at night, constructed entirely in black and white, Le Cirque des Rêves delights all who wander its circular paths and warm themselves at its bonfire. Although there are acrobats, fortune-tellers, and contortionists, the Circus of Dreams is no conventional spectacle. Some tents contain clouds, some ice. The circus seems almost to cast a spell over its aficionados, who call themselves the rêveurs - the dreamers.

At the heart of the story is the tangled relationship between two young magicians, Celia, the enchanter’s daughter, and Marco, the sorcerer’s apprentice. At the behest of their shadowy masters, they find themselves locked in a deadly contest, forced to test the very limits of the imagination, and of their love....

A fabulous, fin-de-siècle feast for the senses and a life-affirming love story, The Night Circus is a captivating novel that will make the real world seem fantastical and a fantasy world real.

©2011 Erin Morgenstern (P)2011 Penguin Audio

A thrilling read!

Would you listen to The Night Circus again? Why?

Absolutely. The story is intricately and beautifully entwined with mystery and love. It's so jam packed with imagination and imagery, it's like watching a movie in your own head.

What did you like best about this story?

The imagery in this book is remarkable.

What about Jim Dale’s performance did you like?

Jim Dale captured the different accents very well. Even the slightest change in nuance made it immediately obvious which character he was playing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A deluge of dreams, mystery and love.

A circus, I wish existed in real life!!!

I am so glad I decided to read the marvelous book. Love the performance. Enchanting.

Enjoyable

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this book but nothing really happened.

What do you think your next listen will be?

For my next listen, I will be looking for something with a little more substance. This is basically a boy mets girl story with a magic background.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the circus and the people in it is wonderful.

Do you think The Night Circus needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The story is pretty conclusive and I dont see a follow up.

Any additional comments?

I dont know what demographic this book was aimed at, but perhaps a the young adult reader would appreciate it.

Superb and Magical

What a captivating story, usually well narrated.
however the narrator did make some mistakes and say the wrong names sometimes. often leaving me a bit confused.
his way of saying 'Thank you is quite irritating. but it is all redeemed by his use of different voices for characters

A poor tale nicely read

Would you try another book from Erin Morgenstern and/or Jim Dale?

Jim Dales reading was excellent. The novel failed to deliver on the expectations it set.

What could Erin Morgenstern have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Delivered on the promise of the novel. The reader is kept waiting for some sort of resolution, instead we are literally presented with a whole passage on how there are no longer any good stories (or are there).

Have you listened to any of Jim Dale’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was The Night Circus worth the listening time?

No

Thoroughly enjoyed

So imaginative and wonderous. Very sweet and mysterious at the same time. I did however need to go back to take note of chapter titles as I didn’t realise it jumps back and forward in time a bit. I loved it, but I was a bit conufsed initially as I hadn’t payed attention to the locateoons and dates at each chapter.

Wonderful

Really magical story! I wonderful journey through Creation binding the mythic nature of being with the pure love and hope of Creation

One of my favourite books

I have read this book many times and it was the first time that I listened to the audible version.

I fell in love with the Night Circus once again and I enjoyed my visit.

Great book

Amazingly written, not loads happening but great to listen too whilst working. The scene setting is second to none. Don’t read this book for action or a fast paced narrative.

Loved it

What made the experience of listening to The Night Circus the most enjoyable?

It was so different to any other story I've read/heard. I could imagine the colours and how awesome it would be to make into a movie.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't have a favourite, I was very intrigued as to how they each had importance in the story.

What about Jim Dale’s performance did you like?

Yep