I normally have posts set to publish at midnight so that first thing in the morning there is something waiting for anyone willing to read. Not so today, because at 1:30am I was still finishing The Night Circus!
It’s true, my schedule has been busy the last couple of weeks with end-of-baseball and end-of-school activities, but if this book had grabbed me I would have found the time. I’m not sure why I didn’t absolutely adore this book. I wanted to love it, and thought I would. It had all the elements I normally love: magical realism (not really, but close enough), romance, bowler hats…
But something was off for me, and the only thing I can point to right now is the use of present/historical present narrative tense.
Celia fixes the broken tea cup. Celia says. Celia nods. Celia fixes another tea cup.
(And then four more. There are a lot of broken tea cups.)
The glass shatters, the sound echoing through the room. The tea spills out over the tiles.
Before anyone turns at the noise, the cup has righted itself. The broken pieces reform around the liquid and the glass sits intact, the tile surface of the table is dry.
It resulted in the use of passive voice, which I absolutely loathe. It was incredibly distracting.
To say the tense of a book is bothersome enough to hamper my enjoyment of a story sounds phenomenally lame, and I almost wrote a post that simply said I found the book “just okay” to avoid sounding like an angry schoolmarm. But for me, the use of present tense narration and passive voice took the tension out of challenge. It was almost as if the narrator was telling the story against his will, and so to retain some dignity he delivers the tale as phlegmatically as possible. The end result is a conflict that simmers, not boils. The last chapter with Bailey and Mr. A. H–, Stories, made me think this was the case, and suddenly the strange structure of the book made sense. Then I remembered Baily receives the same third person narrative as every other character throughout, so that theory’s blown.
Speaking of structure, I found the changes in time confusing. We started 29 years apart and worked our way in and out and back in again. Towards the end of the book I didn’t know if I was in the past or present, 1901 or 1902, and that’s because, as we find out at the very end, 1902 isn’t the future at all, but rather the beginning.
The book wasn’t completely lost on me. I loved the tent descriptions. I want a wishing tree, a pond of tears, and an ice garden. I loved the use of tents as love letters. I loved the circus itself and I wanted to know more about chocolate mice and caramel air. Here is where the author excelled. I feel as if Morgenstern had a wonderful dream with the circus, a white-hot idea she couldn’t shake, and the book was an attempt to breathe life into this very clear, but static idea. In the end, I’m not sure she was able to do the star of the show justice.
From what I see on Goodreads, I have a feeling I’m in the minority. Okay, let’s here it. Tell me how I’m wrong.
I’ll write more later, but for now a quick note — I don’t think you’re wrong — the tense did make for a narrative that made it somewhat hard to really relate and root for the characters — they seemed remote and far removed. That said, I still was enchanted by this book and for me, it was one the few things I’ve read where I was lugging it into the bathroom with me every time I had to go to the bathroom. There’s an image for ya!
The world of the circus…I think where she failed with the characters and the basic story — she got right with the circus. The circus was the best and the main character. The circus and Bailey. Celia and Marco left me kinda cold — I felt more for the fortune teller.
I think this is going to be ( I HOPE I HOPE) an amazing movie. I think the tense issue and the narrative is going to be better when it’s up on the screen.
It’s going to be a movie? Did I know that?
yes yes, Summit (the company behind ‘Twilight’ and the company has since been purchased by Lion’s Gate) bought the film rights and on IMDB it says 2013 but since it hasn’t been cast and I haven’t heard about an attached director, that could change.
I think the special effects could be AMAZING!
Also, I gotta spam you with the post I did on the ‘Night Circus’ last year :)
http://www.juliasbookbag.com/2011/11/night-circus.html
It sums up how I felt about the book :)
Very cool! I think it will be a visually breathtaking movie, if done right.
Interesting. Although I did’t pin it down to the voice/tense issue, one of the things I liked about the book was the feeling of seeing it from afar – the magic (for me) would have been too much if I’d felt immersed in it. I can handle magical realism to a point, but as you said this really wasn’t. Too much magic to leave room for realism – and I liked it better that it didn’t feel real and up-close and personal, as (Sookie Stackhouse notwithstanding) I generally think too much magic is just silly. I liked this enough to read it in one day – the time issues were very confusing, I agree, and if I hadn’t read it all at once that would have been worse.
The tone of it reminded me of something – I said on goodreads I thought it was Hesse, but I can’t be sure. Still haven’t pinned that down. Overall I am glad that I read it, and probably wouldn’t have if not for PIBC, so thanks!
Edited to add – yes, Melissa said remote – and I think that’s what I actually liked.
Interesting that a few people have agreed that what they liked was the distance. That seems to be the dividing issue. Those who liked the distance liked the book. Those who didn’t had difficulty caring about the characters.
Is it possible she reminds you of Laura Esquivel? That’s who it seemed she was trying to emulate. My problem with magical realism is that I have yet to find anyone beside Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Laura Esquivel who can do it and do it well. Like Water for Chocolate…I finished that book and realized I will never be half the writer that woman is. Of course, I was 19 or 20 years old. I might try to reread the book now and find it too lyrical.
Often times, the book has to find you at the right time in life.
So true. And yes could be Esquivel. The reason I thought Hesse was that he had that same almost analytic tone of relating some really outrageous stories. So even though the writing was definitely lyrical, the distance kept it from being too sentimental and sappy.
I read this last October, when I was swarmed by my first big overwhelm of art school projects, and loved it so much I had to find time for it. I remember telling myself that if I drew for half an hour, I could read another chapter!
That said, now that you mention the tense, that did irk me a little, but I was far too distracted by all the rich detail to pay much attention to it. I’m generally not one to have the patience for prolonged, romantic descriptions, but something about Morgenstern’s style made it work for me, and perhaps it’s because it’s not something I’m used to enjoying that I was absolutely captivated by it.
I agree that there’s definitely a sense of disconnect between the reader and Celia & Marco, but I think this contributes to the story. I always felt that the story really revolved around Bailey, because he’s the “normal” one๏ฟฝThe one we relate to. The disconnect, then, between us and Celia & Marco echoes the way Bailey is disconnected from this magical world, peering in with awe. That’s much the feeling I had when reading Celia/Marco chapters, and I definitely think that, for me, it added to the experience.
I wish this is how the book was for me. In fact, I went into it think that’s how it would be. I haven’t had a book do that to me in a long time–barring trashy novels, of course. I’m so happy you got to experience that!
I found the time issues incredibly confusing, especially towards the end where (I believe) they were just bouncing around between a day or two and a year or two. Since I was reading on a kindle I couldn’t easily flip around to see if we were Oct 31 1901 or Nov 1 1902 or whatever the dates really were.
Overall I enjoyed the book while reading, but I keep thinking back on why I wasn’t really “convinced”. The circus details were exceptional. I was there, I wanted to experience it, and I kept envisioning very Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus scenes. I was even a fan of the characters while they were IN the circus. Celia the Illusionist and Bailey the visitor where very well told, but Celia the lover and Bailey the confused kid just left me thinking, “ugh why are we still hearing about this?” I wasn’t even slightly convinced by Celia and Marco falling in love. It felt thrown in to somehow tie together an otherwise fantastic story.
Had I read this on a Kindle I would have popped my eyes out with spoons. I didn’t realize how important the dates were until half way through the book. Then I started paying attention!
I think it’s as Kendra says below…for some of us this is a book better enjoyed the second time around and with proper expectations.
I tried to enjoy it. I tried SO HARD.
I couldn’t get into it. The tense issue hit me way too hard and I couldn’t wrap my mind around why. Then, when it hit me why it bothered me even more.
The descriptions were so beautiful but the tense made it far too difficult to enjoy. It was frustrating more than anything else. :(
Maybe a movie will be better?
I’m sure it will be. Like Kelly says below, it seems written to be a movie.
p.s. I’m glad I’m not the only one who had problems with the tense! I felt like a real jerk making that part of my review, but it really was distracting to me.
I, too, tried to like this book. But by a third of the way in, I was like, can we just get to the challenge’s climax already? I found the chronology annoying to follow and the tense distracting. To be fair, though, I’ve never enjoyed fantasy books, and to me, this book was way out there. That said, trapping Celia and Marco in the circus together was a clever way to avoid a winner/loser situation, but I was actully hoping that Celia would figure out a way to combine forces with Marco/the contortionist/Murray Twins and zap Mr. A. H- and Prospero into never never land. Perhaps the movie will have that ending?!
“… by a third of the way in, I was like, can we just get to the challenge’s climax already?”
That’s how I felt while reading, too — so much so that I lost my patience with it after about 100 pages and I stopped reading. I really wanted to give it a chance, especially because I wanted to contribute to this discussion (other than lamely say that I gave up on the book)!
This is where I say, “Me, too.” I’d read a chapter, and then be completely distracted and had to make myself go read another chapter. And then I gave up. I would have returned it to the library today, but I forgot. Instead I read “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro and couldn’t wait to get back to it every time I put it down. (Thanks for your Pinterest board, Jules–a wonderful offshoot of this book club!) Under different circumstances (NOT the last week of school!), I might have finished it. These days, I don’t have patience for a book that doesn’t capture my imagination.
You’re my twin…I also picked up “Never Let Me Go” at the same time as this from my library, and that’s the one that’s really compelling me to sit down and read! Having to force myself to pick up The Night Circus (not surprising, as I wouldn’t have chosen it for myself without the book club).
The pinterest board is the best idea I have ever had for this blog. I LOVE it. The books are AMAZING (I’ve contributed, like, 3 out of 70) and so varied! Love, love, love that board.
I *almost* made that book one of the picks. I was down to four, and I cut that one to include The Immortal Life of Henrietta because so many people have already read it. Since it’s scheduled for the end of summer, I thought it would be good to have a book that a lot of people have read for discussion purposes.
I really, really want to read that Ishiguro book. I was hoping to make it a pick for September, but I doubt I can wait that long.
I just cannot handle passive voice and tense issues. Your review is making me glad I sat this one out!
Then it would have driven you nuts. :)
wow!!! i LOVED the book. the timing was sometimes confusing, but it was one of those books that actually wrapped it up in a pretty bow. i was a little annoyed that celia/marco only got to live in the circus, but i LOVED the book. didn’t want to put it down, or for it to end.
but, i don’t usually worry about tense shift/passive voice. i’m excited they’re doing a movie. and thank the good Lord that lion’s gate bought summit, because it would’ve been a train wreck like twilight if not.
I hated that Celia and Marco ended up as quasi-ghosts trapped for eternity in the circus! I love that you really enjoyed it, though. Most people did on Goodreads. :)
on a ghost side note – if you’ve been suggested to read the evernight series, don’t. it has the vampire/wraith (ghost) thing, and after investing yourself for 3 books, it’s such an extreme let down. i was so angry when i finished the 4th book, i almost threw it across the room.
I first read this book a few days after it was released. There is nothing like being the first patron to use a library book … but I digress.
I wasn’t crazy about it. I had such high hopes, had heard such wonderful things before the novel was even out … I thought at the time there was something wrong with me. I didn’t *LOVE* it. I enjoyed it. The book itself was lovely. I was enchanted by the descriptiveness. The story was ‘meh’.
HOWEVER, I started the book for the second time yesterday so I could participate in today’s session. I am so less confused and honestly like the story a lot more. I still don’t *LOVE* it, but it’s more than ‘meh’ on the reread. I’ll let you know my final thoughts when I finish it this time around.
I think my expectations were unreasonably high. Garcia Marques and Esquivel have ruined me for anything that even suggests magical realism.
I’m a little slow and just started reading this book yesterday. I’m just past the point where Celia and Marco meet first. Now I don’t know what to do based on what I’ve read. Should I keep going or pitch it to the side?
I would keep going, definitely! 1. I, and everyone agreeing with me, represent the minority. Most people LOVE the book. Don’t miss out on what could be a good book for you just because of what I say. For all you know, I could have the lamest taste in books. :) 2. They’re making it into a movie! You’ll want to read it before you see the movie, and I guarantee the movie will be at the very least visually stunning, and the issue I had with the writing will be completely nonexistent in the movie. I can’t wait to see the circus come to life!
Okay! Thanks for the encouragement I’ll keep going.
Wow, this is the first time I’ve been able to join the discussion and I’m sad that not very many people seemed to enjoy this book as much as I did.
I didn’t really recognize the whole issue with the verb tense until I read this post. (I tend to write with a passive voice so that may have something to do with it.) I agree with Susan G who said the passive voice was just right for this story. It put me just close enough to the action without having to be “in” the action. But, I read it in October or November, shortly after it came out and didn’t have a chance to skim over it again for this discussion. I read this book over the course of two days so I didn’t have any big issues getting confused by the chronology.
I don’t normally like authors that go into a lot of detail or who are overly wordy, but I actually loved this book! I really enjoyed the details of the circus and the characters: the contortionist, the clock-maker, the twins, and of course Celia and Marco. And I thought the storyline was very creative.
I’m so glad you loved it, Kara! I wanted to love this book, and I was sad I didn’t.
I am trying, trying to engage in the book, but so far, it’s not happening.
First: whoop, big surprise, they’re making it into a movie. I felt like this was one of those books where the author hoped it would be made into a movie, and wrote the vivid descriptions with an eye toward that. (Granted, I’m sure plenty of writers (even most!) would love to make it big and have their books turned into a movie.) But I smelled a rat in terms of all the settings and costume and room descriptions. What lovely things to imagine, and to someday see on a big screen. I do sometimes like lush, poetic descriptions when it serves the writing and the plot, but here, it felt…forced. Like another major character in the novel. And maybe that was her point all along, but it seemed distracting.
Agree also with the jumping back & forth in time. Not that I couldn’t handle it (loved The Time Traveler’s Wife, after all), but here…why? What did it really serve, except to make me go back & double check at the start of each chapter?
I’m not done with it, doubt that I’ll finish. But I’m going to give it a little more of a chance, because maybe I’m just being grumpy. I will say though, that I’m usually an ACE at suspending my disbelief and going willingly along for the ride in just about any novel…it’s just not happening for me, with this one.
I’m not sure what the time jumps served, either. I was okay with all the imagery except for the ship made of books. That seemed indulgent, like something the author would love in real life. As a fellow book lover, so would I…so would any of us, I bet! But the characters…I never got the impression they were avid readers or book lovers. They studied from books, of course, but I never understood why Marco made her a boat of books. Going by the story, he should have made her a giant tea cup and saucer.
I am finding myself unreasonably defensive at the idea that the author was over describing things or that it seemed forced and took away from the plot because for me, those words made the book. I felt as though in each chapter she gracefully laid out everything I would see and notice if I were there, but wrote it with words I wouldnt have been able to find. I found these great descriptions filling up my brain as I read, I can’t imagine a movie being able to top what she created for me while I was turning the pages. But, different strokes for different folks, so I will try not to take it so personal!
Devon, I know what you mean. I’ve been there! I’ve passionately loved a book that it seemed people didn’t get…and I have hated a book it seemed everyone loved (50 Shades of Grey–though to be fair, I’ve only read excerpts). I take it personally every time. Please don’t take it as an attack on the author (and especially not you!!), and I’m sorry if I have offended you. I’ll be sure to sound less judgy next time a book doesn’t click with me–because that’s all it is. :)
p.s. I have yet to see a movie done better than a book, but I look forward to the attempt every time. I’m sure this movie will be beautiful! Beautiful as the book? Probably not, but we have enough special effects these days that it’s going to be worth going to the movies to see how close they come.
While we’re at it, maybe we should talk casting? I’m SO curious to see who they cast as Mr. A. H–, Prospero (someone villainous, I hope!), and Marco.
Devon, I also know exactly what you mean. I get anxious and upset when somebody really hates (or just feels “eh”) about a book I’ve loved. Sometimes I walk around all day feeling tense and unhappy and rehashing what the other person said. So yes — I take it personally, too! I didn’t mean to make you feel that same way about this book. :-(
To be honest, I’ve got 2 other books plus a magazine going at the same time, & “Night Circus” didn’t get 100% of my attention.
The book lovers are all the same. We love our favorite books like children. I one time heard someone say A Prayer for Owen Meany was a completely worthless book, and I almost cried over the injustice.
I hope I didn’t come off wrong, I’m not actually mad or offended by the statements, I think this whole forum is super awesome, being able to openly discuss the book, and who knows how long it would have taken me to find it without it being this months selection, it’s more like I feel like whimpering in confusion when my favorite part is someone else’s least favorite! And I don’t think either of you were being too judgy and rude, there is nothing wrong with respectfully stating your opinions, even though literature is a form of art, I don’t think it should be held to the “if you don’t have anything nice to say…” rule. And for the record I also really disliked 50 shades, but my good friend thinks its the best she ever read, so agree to disagree!
I still haven’t decided about how I like the book, but then I haven’t finished it yet. Once I have, it may help with the decision. :) I was going to finish it over the weekend and it just didn’t happen.
I am leaning toward “it is okay” at the moment. When I read the description I was pretty excited and when I received the book I was really, really excited. Love the design details – black edging and a red ribbon bookmark. You know, the important stuff.
So far, the story just hasn’t totally grabbed me and I can’t say that I am particularly fond of any one character. Although that would change immediately if one of them would cut Prospero’s fingers one by one. It hadn’t occurred to me before, but maybe the tense of the book is keeping me from getting into it. Maybe Bailey will save it for me?
I am going to write a very short and uneloquent comment a I am on my phone, but I really enjoyed this book. I was reading on a kindle but didn’t have any problems with the time travel aspect, I was halfway through also before I really noticed time moving about, but I just went with it, and never really got confused by it. I have been reading a lot of lackluster books lately where I think the writing is just so boring and the characters are so thin I thought this was a great change. My one wish is that the description didn’t say it was a fight to the death between two wizards (or something like that) because it never was about that at all to me, I think that was a bit misleading, and I thought the conclusion was much better than any old fight to the death cliche anyway. I am actually never excited to hear books are being made into movies, because they are never as good. I don’t see this being improved on film.
Maybe I’m the crazy one, but this book could easily find a spot in my top 25. I love it so much. The distance that bothers some of you is exactly what made it thrilling to me. It created suspense and a sense of mystery that would be difficult to replicate in a first-person narration. I got really caught up in the magic/whimsy. Wouldn’t it be enchanting to be in a circus where you did not age? I wore black and white stripes every day for a week after I finished reading “The Night Circus,” so the book (and it’s beautiful cover art) really got into my veins.
Oh, I didn’t have a problem at all with the 3rd person narration. For me, it was the present tense that bothered me. I’m a traditionalist, I guess. I prefer Celia ran or Celia said versus Celia was running or Celia says. It sounds like a small thing, but for some reason it distracted me with this book.
I was kinda meh on this book. I actually enjoy fantasy/magical realism, so I loved the circus itself, but I had real issues with the jumping around in time. That just didn’t work for me at all, mostly because I thought it was pointless.
Here’s what I really have to add to this conversation, though: Morgenstern wrote this originally for NaNoWriMo, and I think to the extent there’s something wrong with it, that’s what it is. She wrote it in one long gulp (I know, I know, a gulp is a swallow so that’s probably not the best metaphor. Sorry.), and I think it reads that way. Kinda…careless? Or maybe like she had a great idea, or even a bunch of great ideas, but she didn’t really tie them all together all that well. I thought some of it felt almost like showing off, like she thought messing around with time would be cool, so she did it, regardless of the fact that it detracts from the novel rather than enhancing it. Really I blame her editor. I think an editor should have caught some of this stuff and given Morgenstern a good talking to and made it better. Maybe I don’t really understand the role of the editor?
FWIW, I think the Ishiguro book is really (really, really) good.
Ditto! for those who haven’t read ‘Never Let Me Go’ —- you gotta. :)
I had no idea this was a NaNoWriMo book! Impressive.
I’ve been thinking about this more. To me, magical realism involves more realism than magic. So, Like Water for Chocolate – much of the story, although tied in with the magic, is somewhat “normal” behavior. I don’t usually like movies based on these books – and didn’t like the Water for Choc movie. It’s been a couple of decades, but I remember that afghan or quilt she made that covers the countryside. Loved it in the book, but in the movie? Just plain silly in my opinion.
But…this book to me was beyond MR and pretty much pure magic/fantasy. I think because of that I will like a movie (assuming it’s done well) because it’s all so fantastical. One of my top 25 books is Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith, definitely magical realism. I can’t really imagine it as a movie that I would like.
Yes. I completely agree! I loved Like Water for Chocolate, but the movie? NO. You’re absolutely right–it seemed silly.
Bad grammar aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. I fell in love with the setting, not the characters, and I am okay with that. I appreciated Erin’s ability to make me smell the air, see the tents, and feel cold in the ice garden. I could not imagine the characters; they were all flat to me. But the setting was the protagonist for me. I felt transported by it. Nevertheless, maybe I just liked it because I was also reading Game of Thrones, and needed a break from the grit and grime of Westeros and King’s Landing.
I have a recommendation: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. The sequel comes out soon, too.
That’s July’s pick! I’m excited, and have news about that I will share soon. :)
p.s. I’m reading Game of Thrones, too! It’s taking me a while. I get into it, and then I don’t.
I gave it 5/5 stars on Goodreads. That rating is reserved for books I could imagine myself reading over again. So yeah, I liked it ;-)
I didn’t notice the tense but then, I wouldn’t have known to look for it either. I’m not a particularly ‘observant’ reader when it comes to style. What I did notice was how immersed I became from the descriptions! I would find myself daydreaming – about the tents or a scene or a performance – in the middle of the day or on my way to drifting to sleep.
I will agree with a few other readers that I wasn’t invested in the love story. I also didn’t get the implied attachment to Bailey, though I’m seeing other readers did and I’m wondering if I just spaced off at that part. I felt the strongest for the contortionist (toward the end) and for the proprietor (also toward the end).
I didn’t know it was going to be a movie but I’m excited to see it – even if it has a high chance of sucking all the fun that’s been built up in my imagination!
That’s awesome! I’m glad you loved it. That’s the best feeling. :D
Funny, the contortionist was my favorite character! I feel she was the most authentic, most interesting, and most fleshed out. I pictured the author when I read about…what was the contortionist’s name? (See, that’s what bugs me. I can’t even remember the character’s names!) By the way she described her appearance (short black hair, slender, etc.) she seemed to resemble Morgenstern. It would make sense if she did inject herself into the book that it was in this character since–for me anyway–it had the most depth.
Without a doubt, the circus was the main character here. I know films never live up to the book, but I still have hopes. Hunger Games wasn’t that bad!
I saw above that someone told you A Prayer For Owen Meany was worthless. I would have smacked that person! It has been my favorite book for a good 15 years now and I make a new connection every time I read it.
Now back to the topic at hand…I was completely enthralled with The Night Circus. I found it to be gorgeously written. It was a perfect playground for my imagination to run wild. I noticed the tense changes a chapter or so in but I didn’t mind it. I enjoyed the narrator’s voice and loved that we get to find out who the narrator is (and why he’s telling the story) at the end of the book. Such a nice touch! I was sad that Celia and Marco are ghost-ish figures at the end. On the other hand, I couldn’t figure out how the challenge could end without one of them dying. Bailey’s evolution as a character could have been a bit more detailed but he did rise to the challenge and it was interesting to see how he and the twins then made the circus their own. I do wish Prospero and Mr. A. H. could have had more of a comeuppance- do they realize the consequence of their challenges or are they so cowardly and selfish they don’t care about the lives they ruin?