"People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see."
-the man in the grey suit, page 28 of the novel
I enjoyed The Night Circus. I hadn't read a true fantasy in quite a while and it was refreshing to "suspend my disbelief" and enter an illusory world. Not all the Page Turners book club agreed with me. In our discussion there were varied words to describe the novel: creative, confusing, enchanting, dream-like and even tedious. Someone said it reminded him of a fairy tale. The group voted a rating of 3.8 out of 5, with individual ratings from 5 to 2. I personally voted a 4. Most of us agreed that the book was well-written; the story just wasn't everyone's cup of tea. Many of us do not read much fantasy and perhaps our imaginations get rusty! Some in our group just found the changes in narrative perspective and the non-linear sequence difficult to follow.
I found myself comparing the book to the Harry Potter series, which I loved. I am in awe of writers who can invent a whole different world and then make us feel we have entered it for a time. I thought the characters were well-developed and interesting. I identified with Celia most, understandably. Perhaps a male reader would favor Marco. These are the two main characters pitted in a competition that even they don't understand until late in the story.
If you enjoy fantasy and can follow the action, you will like The Night Circus.
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