Lata's Reviews > The Night Circus

4.5-5 stars.
Such a beautifully written story in which many years elapse without that much happening. But that's okay because there's a circus populated by wonderful characters.
The story commences with a wager between two monstrous old men who agree to pit two individuals and their magic against each other. (This competition is an old one, with many completed bets and competitors in its wake.) In this case, the new competitors are Celia, the daughter of Hector, one of the monsters, and Marco, an orphan picked by the other monster, Mr A. H.
Celia and Marco learn separately and hone their skills, becoming quite accomplished.
Eventually, a venue is picked for the competition to play out, the Night Circus. Marco is integral to the Circus' creation and picking performers, one of whom is Celia. Celia is critical, though, to the Circus' maintenance and enhancement.
The author also introduces a young man, Bailey, who becomes entranced with the Night Circus after his first visit to it when it comes to his town.
The performers are fascinating and colourful and the language the author uses to describe the tents, the performances the costumes, all of it is delicious.
I knew I was going to like this story from its very opening, when the author's text immediately called to mind one of my favourite books when I was young, Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Though the competition is drawn out over many years, to its competitors' dismay, I loved spending time with all the characters. The writing is lovely and textured, and I didn't mind how slowly the author developed the tension of the situation, the anger and frustration felt by Celia and Marco at their increasingly hated roles in the competition. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Bailey, and Poppet and Widget (twin performers who grew up in the Circus.)
I listened to this book, and loved Jim Dale's interpretations of all the characters and the text.