One of the best things about eBooks is that I can highlight scenes and lines that are stunning, insightful, or simply delicious–and then easily find them again. On that note: The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern.
Reading Morgenstern’s story, I felt as if I were watching a dream unfold. A mysterious, eerie, lovely, romantic, Cirque du Soleil sort of dream.
Rather than review it, I’m simply going to list a few of my favorite quotes from it. The Night Circus is so unique it almost deserves a genre of its own. Everyone who has ever wanted to write should read it. Dare I say, everyone should read it. Here are a few of Morgenstern’s words that I want to remember…
“You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.”
“…the ship is made of books, its sails thousands of overlapping pages, and the sea it floats upon is dark black ink.”
“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mention or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.”
I loved this book, the descriptiveness of the prose, the unique use of POV, and also how the circus gradually became a character in its own right.
I agree. Everything about it felt unique.
The thing that impressed me most about it was how visual it was. Her use of color, especially, made it worth reading.
You’re right. It’s almost as if she’s an impressionistic writer. Her writing makes me think of Degas’ ballet dancers. Detailed, with a hazy dream-like quality.
I found out about this author this past NaNoWriMo. She was one of the authors giving inspirational talks. I loved her use of words so much I checked out her book and the concept grabbed me and I quickly bought the book. I did a blot post on that book also, like you, and I was dumb struck by her words that painted strong visual images that grab you by the throat and don’t let go. LOVED this book.
Lucky you to have caught her inspirational talks on NaNoWriMo!