The Magic Arrives Without Warning

I should admit to a little bias in this review because The Night Circus is one of my all-time favourite books and I feel that this audiobook does do it justice.

It is a love story above all else, but a love story on many levels. A love story between a man and a woman, a love story between the performers and their circus, a love story between the circus and its ardent fans. And then there is the magic. To say more would start to give too much away but it is a fantastical tale written fantastically well.

If I were to quibble with anything about this audiobook it with the performance. Jim Dale does read it beautifully but, when you have previously read the book yourself, you tend to have an idea of how various characters sound. So to hear Prospero and Mr A.H. sound like two bickering Yorkshiremen is a bit of a surprise, especially when I had always considered Prospero to be from the opposite side of the Pond.

That aside, you would not go far wrong if you wish to immerse yourself in a magical fantasy where anything seems possible and the real world a disappointment in comparison.

32 people found this helpful

A Victorian Surrealist Romance

This book provides an enchanting journey into the world of a traveling Victorian circus, The length of the book is filled with such enchanting wordplay and enthralling descriptions that every new circus tent is an absolute pleasure, The brilliantly written and read characters are warm and comforting and the complete package leaves very little to be desired.



A fine purchase for any fan of magic, love or a reality based fantasy.

12 people found this helpful

My kind of circus

Wonderfully complex story, full of detail, clear pictures of the unusual, and a nice interweaving of times and dates that came together satisfyingly in the end. Some surprises, some predictability, but all in all a good holiday read. Except for the narrator, oh dear, he did the "ancient mage" voice with all the weight of dusty centuries in it, but the young men, female and the childrens voices were quite dreadfully croaky. If you can get past the narrator you'll enjoy the story for its own sake.

23 people found this helpful

A comic book in wolf's clothing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. I would be a bit embarrassed to recommend it. I was totally intrigued by the synopsis of this book, a tall tale about a spectacular and enchanting circus, real magic and a fatalistic wager, it was beautifully conceived but the writer seemed to not to be quite up to the task. Set in the late 1800's, the characters, their behaviour, their language even their dress was all wrong for the time and they all lacked depth. The plot, I gradually came to realise, was a bit thin and the setting was so contrived it became irritating, with too much focus on monochrome (yes, I get it!!) and kittens. This would make a good graphic novel or fantasy film. So...whilst it wasn't bad, it was just not good enough.

If you’ve listened to books by Erin Morgenstern before, how does this one compare?

I haven't encountered her books before.

What aspect of Jim Dale’s performance might you have changed?

I feel this story needed a darker, richer, an altogether more lyrical voice.

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

There wasn't enough substance in this for one book, let alone two.

Any additional comments?

I really loved the idea of this book but alas, it was all show and disappointment.

40 people found this helpful

Nice idea but very superficial

The ideas are very interesting but the story stays at the surface. It takes a long time to unfold and it barely manages that. Also the fragmented chapters don't help. Really a pity there wasn't much depth or development since the first time meeting the citcus was enchanting.

Also the narator does some really akward voices.

I had to make myself finish this book.

16 people found this helpful

Magical, mysterious and captivating

I never thought I would listen to a book more than once but this one was so full of delectable detail that I was compelled to listen to it three times to date!

It was full of fascinating characters, interesting ideas and delightful thoughts but strangely edgy which all added to a kind of Victorian,vaguely Steampunk atmosphere.

I also loved the HGWells type attention to detail and how you were lead by the nose through a labyrinth of twisting and turning themes and ideas. The magic, mystery and slight of hand held my interest all the way. If you like unusual you may enjoy the Night Circus

10 people found this helpful

a masterpiece

Quite the most mysterious, magical and remarkable book i have read in a long time. A spell is cast and reader is drawn into the plot. Original and unique I hope to see more from this super talented author.

9 people found this helpful

Wonderful story but ruined by choice of narrator

Would you try another book written by Erin Morgenstern or narrated by Jim Dale?

I am hoping Erin Morgenstern will write another book! I will read it though, not listen...

What did you like best about this story?

A wonderful, magical story that draws you in and keeps you there until long after you've finished the book. I read this book a few years ago and was tempted by the audible version as I had loved it so much.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's voice unfortunately is too "old" and gravelly. It suits the two older characters in the book but not the main characters who are young. I actually gave up on the audio-book about half way though and read my paperback instead. It took me a while to get the narrator's voice out of my head but once I had I enjoyed it much more!

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Definitely!

8 people found this helpful

Beautifully descriptive but lack of substance.

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Circus performers, artists.

Would you ever listen to anything by Erin Morgenstern again?

Possibly it would depend on the storyline, unlikely though.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jim Dale’s performances?

I felt he was a bit flat & possibly had a negative effect on the book, I would have preferred someone who could have brought the story to life a bit more, I think Evanna Patricia Lynch would have read this particular story well. I probably wouldnt listen to JD unless he was reading a more serious or classic book, which his voice may possibly suit better.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was disappointed, my partner read this & absolutely loves it. The synopsis really appealed to me, the plot just did not deliver for me.

Any additional comments?

Overall I didnt enjoy the story & found it quite boring, I can appreciate some of the beautiful descriptive writing & that carried it through to a certain point, but after a while I just found I was getting frustrated as nothing was really happening. She writes in a similar style to my favourite author Patrick Rothfuss but he also delivers on the storyline element to. I was not at all gripped & if I was reading I probably wouldnt have finished it. I felt the same feeling after I read 'The Bone Clocks' by David Mitchell, that I could not believe the author has gone to all this effort to end the story with no twist or surprise & just fizzles out like the end of a song.

3 people found this helpful

Unique, full of potential.. yet disappointing

Sadly I did not enjoy this book. In fact, listening to it infuriated me. Trying to keep up with the sheer number of characters is exhausting and leaves you ending up not caring about any of them.

The author spends so much time describing the environment that I found myself reaching the end of each chapter thinking "did anything actually HAPPEN there?".

That said, the world that is created by the circus is very intriguing. I like the potential and that is what pulled me in to reading this book in the first place.

But ultimately, I just got exhausted of trying to enjoy it...

2 people found this helpful