The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern got onto my list after talking with my niece who pointed out that I might like other books by this author.

Started: 6/7/2021
Completed: 6/11/2021
Recommendation: Recommended
Recommended By: My niece

Words for Which I Sought Help:

exsanguinate -- drain (a person, animal, or organ) of blood

Review:

I do not think it is revealing too much to say that my opinion is that this is the story of Poppet and Bailey.  The story is mostly a series of descriptions.  Using a circus with endless tents each featuring endlessly interesting exhibits, Morgenstern writes almost lyrical descriptions.  These cascading collection of descriptions are threaded on a thin necklace of plot that is ostensibly the heart of the novel.  The reality, however, is that this threaded necklace stippled with remarkable scenery is ostensibly THE heart of the story, but I find Poppet and Bailey much more compelling.  Some might argue that the real story is that of the circus itself, but, like others in the story, I find the circus to be a venue and not a story.  Widget is an interesting character as well and it seems like Widget develops as a child develops--half formed early in the book and developing character and pushing around the edges towards the end.  Well worth the time.