Author: Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fantasy, Standalone
Published: 2011
Personal Rating: 3/5 (just okay)
Format: Audiobook
Yearly Count: 23
The Night Circus is about a circus that only opens from sunset to sunrise and randomly appears and disappears throughout major cities in the world during the late 19th and early 20th century. However, there is more to the circus behind the scenes than meets the eye . . . the powers of two are challenged.
I had high hopes and an open mind entering this book. Unfortunately, it turned out to be disappointing. It actually began intriguing, and that was encouraging, but it quickly became confusing. I had to pull out my hardcover to read a bit (I was listening to the incredibly narrated audiobook) and try to get some facts organized in my mind. I wasn't sure if I was missing important information until I almost reached the halfway point of the book! That was bewildering.
It definitely had superb imagery and a fantastical setting with mysterious characters, but it was so very slow, and I feel like I never really got to know the characters. There were some that I could have done without and others that I would have loved to have spent more time with. Ultimately, I'll go with "just okay," but I think I liked it even less. :(
I have this on my stacks in both versions. It seems people love it or it is just okay. Not sure which version I will go with, maybe both.
ReplyDeleteNise' ~ I would recommend both. You don't want to miss the excellent narrator in the audio, but for clarity, you may want the book nearby. The imagery is superb, so that can't be denied, but something went awry (for me) with the rest of it. I hope you are in the love camp, though. :)
DeleteThe ending is what ticked me off...and I agree it was slow for me at the beginning too! I sort of feel that it's over-hyped.
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ I agree. It was certainly over-hyped.
DeleteI've been waiting for some of the buzz to die down to tackle this one. I'm really wondering if it's my kind of book.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ In the long run, it wasn't mine! LOL
DeleteBut it sounds like you liked the narration--I've heard some negative things about listening to this one.
ReplyDeleteI own this one (Christmas present), so I'll get to it eventually but I've heard such amazing things and such meh things that I'm a little nervous to begin it. As you mention, it seems that the complaint I hear most is underdeveloped characters. This is huge for me.
Trish ~ I loved the narrator's interpretation; his voice was mysterious and just perfect. My confusion was no fault of his narration - he was just reading the words. I was lost with the who, what and where because it changed frequently. That's a lot of confusion when everything is so very detailed! :)
DeleteIf you like your books to be dripping in descriptions (but creates a mysterious ambiance with magical components) and surface characters, then you'll love this book.
I have the ARC, but wound up listening to the audio. I loved listening to Jim Dale. What a production! However, the narrative was confusing at times, with all the back and forth of time periods, and I was glad I had the book to refer to. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's even one I'd like to read/listen to again. I loved Bailey and Poppet. I also loved the image of a sea of books.
ReplyDeleteLes ~ I would have liked much more of Bailey and Poppet's adventures in the big top. So many different ways this book could have gone. Glad you still found it to be a winner.
DeleteI thought it was a beautifully descriptive book but I also had my hopes up too high from all the hype. All in all, I wasn't that caught up in the story.
ReplyDeleteSusan ~ Hype can really affect a person's experience, can't it? I think I'd rather read a book during its high than wait for the hype to die down though. It's a bit more fun.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. :)
I couldn't finish this... I had such high hope based on other reviews. Though it seems like people either love it or hate it. Here's my review:
ReplyDeletehttp://mentalfoodie.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-night-circus-by-erin.html
Christa ~ Since reading this, I've heard and/or read more negative than positive reviews. You are not alone.
DeleteI do have this one. Need to find the time to read it!
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye ~ I hope you like it more than I did!
DeleteFrom Bonnie @ Redlady's Reading Room:
ReplyDeleteI was on the fence about getting a copy of this book as I was wondering if it was my kind of book and if it was overhyped. I've read mixed reviews and got a copy through paperbackswap so will give it a try sometime soon. I may listen to the audio and refer to the hardback as you did...good idea!
Bonnie ~ I didn't have much of a choice . . . I was confused! Being aware that it might get confusing will probably lessen the confusion. :) I hope you like it. It's not one that I recommend.
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