Unabridged Audiobook
A beautiful story that gripped me from the get go. There were a few chapters around the Love story that did drag a bit. Beautifully written and with one of the most talented Narrators. His ability to voice so many great characters brings to life this story. Some where between the playfulness of Wonka's chocolate factory and a Shakespearean masquerade ball the "Night Circus" lives. This story could have easily have received a 5 star vote from me.... but the slow burn doesnt rise to the level i would like as it comes to a close. A wonderful tale that has one foot in magic and fantasy and one in the real world.
This was my first audio book and I loved it. I thought the narration was wonderful.
I enjoyed this book! It is so enchanting and magical. The narrator's voice is a perfect fit...he draws you in to the story. I felt like I was there seeing everything for myself. Perfect amount of suspense! The descriptive writing took me to a time and place far away from the everyday!
Great book! It feels like a painting with all the rich imagery. Not quite as fleshed out as the author’s other books narrative-wise, but the language is deeply moving and beautiful. Definitely worth the read!
Even though I semi enjoyed the narrator's voice the book was boring. Too much details but not enough action going on. Listening to this was seriously a drag. I'm most definitely returning this book. Don't waste money on this.
This one was of the best books I have encountered in a long time. The story is mysterious and enchanting - beautifully written. I think listening was actually an enhanced experience, as the narrator's voice was perfect and made me feel I was truly there, in the night circus. The book has a dreamy, surreal feel to it. The characters are intriguing and there is just enough suspense to keep you wondering "what is going on?" and then "what is going to happen?" While the traditional love story component was a bit ordinary, the book made me contemplate magic and how close it might really be for any of us.
Love this book!!!!!!
Excellent narration
Very enjoyable.
Beautiful story, I don’t think I have fallen in love with a story as much as I have this one
Great imagery
The narrator absolutely brought me in and I was sold in every character he read. I wish all books could be narrated by him! The story was amazing!! I love too many things to say without giving away the mystery. I so wish this could be a mini series or something to show off the brilliant descriptions. I am so sad it is finished, I cried.
Good story
Wonderful descriptive and captivating at atmosphere. Not an amazing plot but it captures you in and the storyline is unique. Environment is narrow, which at times can be frustrating. Definitely worth the listen
Slow start but worth it for the ending!
This is by far my favorite book I’ve ever read. Being able to listen to listen to it on long road trips is amazing!!!
Incredibly well written with beautiful, poetic prose.
Such a breathtaking, whimsical, haunting tale. Beautiful and brought to life by an excellent narrator.
I love Jim Dale as a narrator. He was perfect at projecting the magic in this book. The story line has a start point and then it branches out so far and somehow comes together again in ways that you never expected. I love the unpredictable nature of this story.
This is an absolutely delicious and delightful listen. Brilliant imagery and magical pondering. Highly recommended and narrator Jim Dale is as brilliant as ever!
Intriguing and unique; characters come alive! This novel breaks new ground taking place throughout several decades and centuries by exquisitely describing every detail making me feel as if I were there!
absolutely fabulous tremendously wonderful, brilliant writing, I highly recommend .
I’ve heard a lot about how good this book is, so maybe I went in with too high of expectations. The writing style is so formal and subtle that plot points that should be huge and exciting just don’t land right. Not bad, just not great.
Truly magical! And Jim Dale as reader was bonus!
It was kind of interesting. But not a riveting plot at all.
Great magical story exactly the book to get lost in
This book was enchanting and I loved the whole tone and feel of it. At times it moved a little slow and jumped around a bit but overall I would recommend this book.
I had to struggle a little with this one. It was ok. I don't want to be to hard on the book. Jim Dale did an excellent job with it. Thats one of the reasons I stayed with it. It was a little hard to get into.
Everything about this book was perfection. I will miss it terribly. It's been a few days since I have finished this and I am unable to listen to any other books... Everything else falls short... It has simply ruined me for other books.. Hopefully I'll get over it.
This book was very interesting! I was always wanting to go one more chapter because it was so addicting
I absolutely lave everything about this book. It kept me intrigued from the moment I started listening to the very end.
Loved it! At first i was confused by all the jumping around with years and dates, but I caught on pretty quickly. Loved the characters and the narrator. I wish it didn't end lol
I was transported by this book. The skilful and delicate writing took my imagination to wonderful places. I visualised the different tents and performers and felt as though I had been placed in their alternate world. If you cannot visualise or like to listen to books while doing ten other things, you won't get it. Don't try. But, if you are ready for a fabulous adventure, jump in. It does what a great book should do for you. I gave the book 5 stars but held back one for the narrator. He did many of the voices well but made even the young characters sound old. I had to rewind more than a few times becuse I was confused about who was speaking. Overall, a great experience.
I feel like the book was made better by Jim Dale's narration. Many people complain that the plot runs thin, and I can see why the book would fail their expectations, if they were assuming that the story itself were about Celia and Marco, which to some extent it is. But the book is more about the circus, its existence, its vibe, its history and future. In that light, the story is marvelous and Jim Dale's narration pulls you in. I felt what I think this particular circus should feel like: wondrous and awesome and sensual, laced with mystique. It certainly piqued my fascination, and when I finished the book, I could not just leave it. I yearned for the story to continue and I was not willing to part with it. I was stuck with random bits of Scottish accents in my head for two days after finishing. Erin Morgenstern is an amazing author and Jim Dale's narration brings her rich prose to even fuller life.
Best audiobook I've heard thus far. Listened to this on a cross country trip and I thought I would need to take breaks from it but I couldn't stop listening. Felt transported into this enchanting world the author created. Narrator was really great as well. Agree with another reviewer that the ending felt a little rushed, felt slightly let down, but the journey to it was worth it.
Had to send this book back as I thought it was way too long. Some parts were interesting but some were confusing and some boring.
After I finished this book, I was left asking myself "What was the point of this story?"
Loved this wonderful book, did not want it to end. I googled the author and found that this is her only book. So sad,
Amazing novel! Perfect for audiobook. I was able to visualize the scenery.
4 This was a fascinating read, unlike anything I've read before. Gripping lead characters and story. Highly recommend it.
Jim Dale is a terrific narrator. I'd listen to anything he reads. He did just as good a job with The Night Circus as he did with all the Harry Potter books. This reminds me of that kind of fantasy. Be prepared to move back and forth in time. Once you understand that's what's happening, it's a delightful, slightly dark tale.
A wonderful premise, starting out so promisingly. But it frequently bogs down in overlong sequences with little happening by means of plot, character, or magic. Takes a long time to get moving, and when it does, you've probably already figured it out. Nice try, but the author ill served by her editor.
Enjoyed this book immensely. It seemed at the end the author got in a hurry to finish it up and dropped a lot of potential story. Still worth listening though. I'd like to see more from Ms. Morgenstern. If you've listened to any of the Harry Potter books narrated by Jim Dale, you' recognize the voices of several HP cast members too. That took a bit to change the voice from Dumbledore to Alexander in my head.
Enjoyed this story - I wish our carnivals were like this today. Everyone needs a bit of mystery and wonder in their lives! I love Jim Dale as a reader but I was very disappointed that he didn't attempt an American accent for the Massachusetts characters. Can't imagine he's not capable so... what's the excuse?
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