I was a bit (okay ... REALLY) nervous before starting The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern because it was so highly praised by many bloggers with similar tastes to mine. I knew that it would either end up being a favorite or, sadly, a disappointment. I had won a copy of the ARC soon after it was released but I just never found the right time to start it. Then I also found a super-discounted hardcover that I couldn't resist so, owning two copies, I picked up one of them with excitement and a bit of trepidation. My fears couldn't have been more unfounded. This was an amazingly brilliant and beautiful book. This tale of a mysterious and magical circus and its inhabitants and fans was just so utterly unique and compelling that I got completely lost in the story. I can understand the obsession with the circus both inside and outside the book. Now my fears can be shifted to the film version that is being created at the moment. But if it can capture even a portion of the magic without adding in any Hollywood tropes, it will be something to behold.
I didn't own The Asylum when the RIP season started but I just couldn't resist a new John Harwood. I liked The Ghost Writer quite a bit and loved The Seance. His second book is still my favorite but this comes close, although it's revealed to me another of my major fears -- wrongful imprisonment in an asylum. This is a story of mistaken identity, of a past temporarily lost and of the need to know one's place in the world. The ending is a bit sudden but the suspense and intrigue of the rest of the book makes up for it. I can honestly recommend any of Harwood's books if you are looking for a great RIP read!
Escaping into one world and trying to escape another,
K
Can you believe I still haven't read The Night Circus? I think I've been a bit reluctant too, for the same reasons as you, but it's about time I get over myself.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe I still hadn't read it. ;) It had enough ups and downs to keep me engaged and the story was fresh so I think you will like it! I obviously know the feeling of picking up a super-hyped book though.
DeleteSo glad you ended up loving the Night Circus. I read it for the third time this RIP season - it's become a fall tradition - and with every reread I worry that I'll love it less, but haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteIt was actually the fact that you were already rereading it multiple times that got me to pick it up. :)
DeleteThey're making a movie of The Night Circus? Oh, I hope they do it justice! After I read it I thought Cirque du Soleil should try to recreate it: I figured they'd be one of the few groups who could.
ReplyDeleteI know. It's a scary idea because it's such an imaginative and "visual" book but if they don't overdo the CGI and if they don't take the depth out of the characters and relationships, it will be good. Wouldn't it be fun if they mixed actors with some Cirque performers for it?
DeleteI'm very curious about the movie of Night Circus. The good thing is, it doesn't have to set up a whole lot of plot successfully. It just has to be beautiful and moody, and I have a reasonable amount of faith in movies' ability to do that.
ReplyDeleteAt least if they ruin it, we can just not watch. :)
DeleteHooray for loving The Night Circus :D Really was such a great book...can't wait to see what else she writes. And I haven't read anything by Harwood...I suppose I should correct that!
ReplyDeleteI was so worried that I wouldn't love it and then I did and just sighed with satisfaction (and relief) at the end. :) And Harwood is fun and creepy reading!
DeleteI am so glad to hear that you enjoyed The Night Circus! I had not heard that they were making a movie, but now that I know, I will be watching it closely. This is one I will be picky on because it has so much amazing potential!
ReplyDeleteI swear, the best thing for my reading schedule is for them to decide to make a movie because then I hurry and get to the book first. :)
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