Night Circus: What's Black and White with Hints of Red?

“The circus arrives without warning.

No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.”

The whole idea of the Night Circus is simply charming. That is honestly the best word I can use. I’ll have you know, however, that charming just barely beat out about 10 other words: mysterious, intriguing, beautiful, elegant, ethereal, magical, provocative, dreamlike, captivating and exciting. These are only some of the words that could describe this book. There are hundreds more, but I highly doubt someone would want to read several paragraphs of synonyms. If you do, go outside, man. Stop going on thesaurus.com and go live your life. 

The idea for the Night Circus starts when wealthy and eccentric businessman Chandresh Lefèvre decides to hold these magnificent Midnight Dinners, to which he invites some people with unusual, if not extraordinary talents. Mme. Ana Padva is a former Romanian prima ballerina who now has a unique and gorgeous eye for fashion, Ethan Barris  is an amazing architect and engineer who can create almost anything, Tara and Lainie Burgess are jacks of all trades (dancers, librarians, consultants, actresses etc) who create a sense of atmosphere, Mr. A.H. is a mysterious man in a gray suit and Tsukiko is a contortionist of unparalled talent. Together, they create Le Cirque des Rêves. 

I had heard the book described as a mysterious circus and people wear red to distinguish the true enthusiasts  but the book is so much more than that. Marco and Celia are two children picked to be rivals by two opposing magicians, but “magicians” is an understatement. Prospero the Enchanter, also known as Hector Bowen, has a talent for magic that is beyond tricks and illusions. It’s….well, it’s more like magic, really.  His daughter is chosen to compete in a game of skills against Marco, a young boy selected by Bowen’s main opponent, Mr. Alexander H. (usually just A. H.). It is a test to see if more unconventional methods and the practical application of magic works better than a more studious and academic approach through books. However, as Celia and Marco compete through this circus, everyone’s lives in the circus becomes more and more tangled in the competition and the stakes constantly rise.

The great thing about this book is that the writing juxtaposes the theme and the purpose of this book perfectly. The writing is so graceful and descriptive, yet subtle at the same time. This is the Night Circus; it is not ostentatious or outlandish, but it is beautiful, rich and elegant. Everything Erin Morgenstern describes is just stunning: the food, the clothing, the locations, the circus, the tents and the acts within them. Describes isn't even the right word. She paints it for you. The foods at the Midnight Dinners sound so delectable. Every word she chooses is perfect and makes you hungry at the same time. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! Oh wait, it’s 7:15 and I am currently making dinner. Whoops.

Seriously, I just ate and I'm hungry again. What the hell?

The circus she creates out of words seems so real, and again, the descriptors are chosen with great contemplation. It’s just a beautifully written book for a beautiful circus. But that doesn't do it justice, because the circus is so much more than that! It’s mystery, it’s something that some of us may dream of at night, it’s a place to escape to, somewhere beyond the natural confines. Such an imagination deserves applause in my book, but I am a bit biased as I like to think of myself as imaginative as well. Look, I’ll create something imaginative right now! Uh, this group of humanoid mythical beings go on a quest to defeat a dragon and claim the treasure! And there’s a wizard there, and trolls, and elves and…. Oh crap. That’s the hobbit. No wait! Okay, how about toys that wake up when their owners are gone and they have adventures and stories and maybe a fight and…. That’s Toy Story.

Moving on.

I could not put this book down, and I would heartily suggest you pick it up and give it a go. It is also nothing like Water For Elephants if that's what you're worried about. Except it has a love story and takes place in a circus... but that's beside the point. Who wouldn't want to read an enchanting tale about a magical circus, two young lovers, exotic locations, fascinating characters, an ongoing battle and impossible acts? I know I would. Wait, I just did.