In 2006, two movies about magicians were released. One was called The Illusionist and starred Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Rufus Sewell. The other was called The Prestige and starred Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johannson (with a perfect choice of David Bowie as Nicola Tesla.) They were both mystery, period pieces and I really wondered how the market place would receive these two films… seemed overkill. Of course, I waited for the release to DVD and then watched them over the course of two evenings. They were both unique and different despite the similar themes. Although, I would recommend both, I won’t leave you wondering… I preferred The Prestige. I’ve watched it more than once. I prefer those actors, and while it is more disturbing, I find the outcome worth the discomfort.
Yes, this really brings me to The Night Circus. The movies were about a person’s quest for the masterpiece, the need for illusionary perfection, a desire to delight and amaze. And WIN.
And I have to admit, even though I never do this, this is the second time I’ve done it this year. Oops. I dropped the juvenile list and scooped up an adult novel. But I think we’ll be seeing some Young Adults requesting this in much the same way the mothers went after Twilight and The Hunger Games. It is that astounding and lyrical and lovely without all of the high school drama and sensationalism. This novel is a gorgeous piece of art and I would love to see the dreamlike sequences on the big screen.
Two great illusionists who have been competing over the years, decades … centuries meet one final time to settle the record once and for all. Prospero the Enchanter finds out that he has fathered a daughter. Upon meeting her, he discovers that she has a natural talent. With this ace in his pocket, he approaches the other magician, Mr. A.H., to set up a competition. Mr. A.H. is given the time to find and teach his own student. The two magicians choose a venue for the competition to play out. And then they wait for someone to make the first move. The game is completed when one of the students becomes the clear winner.
In the past the venue has always been private and personal. But Prospero wants to make it more interesting by placing it in public. He suggests a third performer, Chandresh Christophe Lefevre, an illusionist in his own right, to be the sponsor and create the venue. Patrons are acquired and then players are hired and the Circus of Dreams is born. This circus will be like nothing else ever witnessed before it. Everything is entirely in black, white and shades of gray. It opens at dusk and closes at dawn. It appears magically one day and leaves just as fleetingly. No one knows the when, where or how. And this is the stage for our two competitors.
Marco is Mr. A.H.’s contender. He makes the first move by applying to work for Lefevre and becomes his personal assistant. Marco’s advantage is having a hand in everything about the circus; however, his disadvantage is not being on site. Everything he creates is done from London. His competitor is Prospero’s daughter, Celia Bowen. She is hired as the circus’s illusionist. Her talent is a natural ability to manipulate her surrounding reality. Her advantage is being right there is in the middle of the dream. Her disadvantage is not knowing her opponent.
Because Marco was assisting when she was hired, he knows from the start that she is his competition, but he is also almost immediately drawn to her. Every fantastical tent he creates is like a letter to Celia revealing himself. She responds in kind with her own creations. She may not know who he is but his skill and artistry captivate her. It is no wonder that they fall in love when they finally meet and drop all pretenses. When they are around each other, it is electric. They decide to finish or quit the game so that they can be together.
Unfortunately, they are informed that the game can only end when one of them can no longer maintain their end of the competition which results in one’s death. Neither can imagine a world without the other. How can they maintain the circus, which has acquired a cult following with a life of its own, finish the game, and come out alive on the other side? Only two accomplished illusionists can pull it off.
To give you some idea of the circus, there is a tattooed contortionist, a naïve fortune-teller, acrobats, big cat-tamers, little kitten trainers, living statues, living carousels, cloud mazes, labyrinths, ice gardens, wishing trees and delectable treats to be enjoyed. And so much more. I have only given you a glimpse, a teaser, of the main story. There are sub stories to entrance and captivate as well. For only 387 pages, I’m astounded at the amount the author was able to pack inside this striking package.
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