Fantasy Book Club discussion

You're now fully immersed into evening jaunts through black and white tents filled with mystery, tricks, and treats. Let's discuss Part 2: Illumination.

Again, to keep from accidentally revealing something you don't yet want to know, you're encouraged to read through page 222 before proceeding in this discussion. If you're enjoying the delights of the audio narration, be sure you've arrived at Part 3: Intersections.




1.) You've met quite an array of characters outside the circus and a colorful cast of beings within Le Cirque des Reves. Who are your favorites and why? (If you're read beyond page 222, be sure to keep your "why" limited to info only available up to that point, or mark is as a spoiler.)

If it's been a bit since you've read the tale, here's a partial list of characters to jar your memory: Alexander, Bailey, Mr. Barris, Celia, Chandresh Christophe Lefevre, Herr Friedrick Thiessen, Isobel, Lainie, Marco, Mme. Padva, Poppet and Widget (the Murray twins), Tara and Lainie Burgess, Tsukiko.

2.) As you see the circus through the eyes of different characters or even in the chapter "in-betweens" where you experience it in the first person, is there a point of view that stand out to you? A character whose perspective you wish was your own?

3.) If you could explore the circus on your own at this point, which tent, stand, or attraction would you venture to first?

In general, I am enjoying this book a lot. This section provides perspective on how the central drama is affecting others. This is detail that is usually left out of other books, but adds texture to this story.

1. So far there are few characters I dislike, although the voice is so distant that I don't feel very close to any of them. I think my favorite is Celia, because she soldiers on and still manages to find some delight in her world. She is kind, helps others, yet seems to have no one to help her. As time goes on, the Murray twins are growing on me as well.

2. I am taken with Herr Thiessen and his ability to develop joy in the unexpected and unexplainable. He goes from someone with a predictable and explainable life to someone who sees something more and finds he loves it. He is then able to share that joy with others.

3. I'm not sure which tent I would want to enter first. I'd have to wander around and go into the one that feels right at the time.

I also didn't really find any characters I don't like. I enjoy the role of Herr Thiessen and put Bailey within my top characters.

Good call on roaming first! So many delightful adventures await within the array of choices.

Krista of the Many Sparkles and and Shimmies wrote: "Good call on roaming first! So many delightful adventures await ..."

Where would you want to go?

I'm a sucker for movement and statues so I'd like spend time outside the tents watching the moving statues.

Krista of the Many Sparkles and and Shimmies wrote: "I'm a sucker for movement and statues so I'd like spend time outside the tents watching the moving statues."

I wonder if it is due to our modern concern with animal welfare, but there don't seem to be many animals with the circus, so there?

Very true, Lara.

(view spoiler)[ Poppet and Widget do have their kittens and their parents are the "big cat" trainers. Apart from those, I can't think of any other parts in the book mentioning animals. I marked this as a spoiler because I can't recall when the kittens are introduced. I figured better to be safe than sorry. (hide spoiler)]

I am just so engrossed by the stunning prose of Morgenstern. I see the Circus so clearly. I smell the chocolate covered popcorn. I can hear the gasps coming from the tents. I am in love with the book. The in-betweens are just... incredible. Cheers for choosing such a good book.

I felt the same way, like I was there experiencing the ride right along with the characters.

Krista of the Many Sparkles and and Shimmies wrote: "I'm a sucker for movement and statues so I'd like spend time outside the tents watching the moving statues."

I know exactly what you mean! I visited Italy a few years ago, and while my friends and I were wandering to and from market stalls, there was a clockwork harlequin that I was admiring, when he suddenly began ticking his arms and head and doing little sleight-of-hand tricks for me and my friend. It was enchanting. I can't imagine being SURROUNDED by "living statues" and dozens and dozens of others with such engrossing performing talent.

1.) I was a little antsy about characterization and character development and such in the first portion of the book, but the more and more of the circus that I see, the less and less I care (it's hardly a critical way to read, but I keep finding myself thinking, "good lord, the circus is so fantastic and dreamy and marvelo-- oh yeah, Celia and Marco have problems and a plot to carry out."). I agree with Krista, though, in that I don't think that there are other characters that I dislike. There are only characters that I'd want to hang out with and get to know better more than others (truthfully, I was entirely disinterested in the Burgess sisters until Tara died). I'm fond of Marco, though, and of Bailey.

2.) I'm taken with Bailey's perspective, because he knows (or doesn't know) just about the same amount that I do (or don't) when it comes to experiencing the circus. It's beautiful, watching Celia and Marco intrigue one another at the end

3.) I'd have trouble with having a set itinerary as I explored the night circus, but I'd definitely have a checklist. As I said, "Let's do that!" or "That looks interesting!" whilst roaming, I'd probably be on the look-out for Isobel's fortune-teller tent. I've always wanted a palm-reading or something like that for kicks, but so far in the book, Isobel seems like the real deal. If I knew what I know now as a reader, I'd look for her tent, and see if she could answer what questions I always seem to have but never really bother to ask aloud.

Lara, I too have noticed that there doesn't seem to be much animal involvement in the circus. There's the ailuromancy (literally "cat-divination," I think) and the twins' parents that work with big cats, but otherwise, animals have not been a big part of the circus experience for the reader or the mentioned circus-goers. I think Chandresh said something about elephants being too passé for the kind of circus he wanted in the first section of the book? However, as Poppet and Widget exclaimed when Bailey told them he hadn't been to the Cloud Maze, it could just be a matter of finding the right tent. I mean, I'd argue that animals are half of the magic in normal circus, from way back when and today. If you have wishing trees and legit ice gardens and giant, white bonfires that never seem to go out, circus-goers might not need exotic animals to tantalize their fancy.

I'm curious about Herr Thiessen and Celia's letter correspondence and relationship.

Random side-note: I love how into books all of the main characters are. It brings them closer to home, I guess, if that makes any sort of sense.

(Sorry that I seem to write a book every time I post to a discussion thread! Morgenstern's book's gotten me excited, haha)

I love the description of the circus. The characters do seem secondary -- but at the circus it is the experience that one remembers. I think it is well developed as an experience in this book so far.

I'm not quite all the way through this part. I'm having a hard time with this book because the characters seem so distant. I want to know what happens with the competition but...I hate to admit it, I'm getting bored with the beautiful, dream-like Circus and I just want something to HAPPEN- some sense that they are actually in danger. I also think that the villain characters need some attention soon. I want to know what's really at stake and how the competition is judged, or at least have them inject a bit more menace. Overall, it seems to be meandering along pleasantly enough, but I can't imagine 200 more pages of it.

Although, if I got to go to the Circus, I would want to head for the Carousel first, then the menagerie and the Ice Garden, and finish up at the Wishing Tree near dawn when it starts to empty out. And man do I crave the cider and popcorn!

It's difficult for me to select a favorite character. The wondrous experience of the circus seems to be focal, much more than any character. This is not only due to the amazing description of the workings of the circus, but also because we constantly jump points of view, not really getting to know one perspective well. That can be fine, since the experience of the circus up to now is awe-inspiring. But ultimately, to feel satisfied, I think most readers will need to see a more character-driven plot. I wonder if we will find that change as the book turns to the last hundred pages or so.

ow1goddess -- Mmmm. Popcorn. I think I may have to go make myself some. ;o)

Marsha -- You're post got me to thinking. Is the circus a character in and of itself in this book? What do you and other readers think?

Krista, it certainly could be since this circus seems to actively control many characters. Good point!

Really enjoying this book, excellent choice. Now I read past this point last night and can't remember where this bit fell. So I'm only saying 'black pebble'. I found one today and thought it was really heavy. So am I suggestible or is it magic?

I definitely think that the circus is a character in itself. It seems like a living, breathing creature. I love the twins and I hope to read more about them. I also love Bailey! I really like the main story of course, but I think the descriptions of the circus and the Bailey story line are actually my favorite :)

So far, I'm quite taken with the book. The writing is not perfect -- sometimes it feels a bit contrived, it seems to come in little hiccups in between -- but it's very evocative and often dreamlike. I enjoy reading about the circus and don't find it boring at all. I even like the episodic style and the non-focus on characters, as it somehow increases that phantasmagorial feeling.

My favorite character must be Bailey. I like experiencing the story through his eyes and I'm curious as to what lies in wait for him...
I'd also be interested in knowing what goes on in Isobel. She joined the circus only to be Marco's eyes and ears and she knows she won't ever get his love or attention from the beginning (or so it is suggested). Now it's 14 years later... Doesn't she have any other aspirations for her life?

I'm hoping for more information as to how the circus travels. It seems to jump continents a lot -- on a train? We know by now that Celia is involved. Somehow I have a feeling we will never get to know how she does it; easier to just leave it a mystery. Also -- the circus even goes to China? A circus like that in fin-de-ciècle China? Naaw, sorry. I don't think so...

Oh and of course I'm also increasingly curious as to the nature of the "challenge". For all the ominous preparations Marco and Celia had to go through it turns out to be very non-competitive - and non-threatening. I'm not so much interested in how the winner will be determined, rather than in what happens to the loser. What's to gain and what to lose? What's the overall purpose of the whole exercise our two "main characters" (if you can call them that) have to sacrifice their lifes for? At this point it seems entirely non-sensical. The years tick by without anything happening... I'm hoping for a good resolution to that question.

ETA: I also have to say, Krista, I like how you lead the discussion. :)

I agree, Krista, good job.

Hey Krista! Want to be our official discussion leader? Last Unicorn is coming up!

Anatha wrote: "...I agree with Krista, though, in that I don't think that there are other characters that I dislike. There are only characters that I'd want to hang out with and get to know better more than others (truthfully, I was entirely disinterested in the Burgess sisters until Tara died). "


^ This has got to be the biggest problem for me with this book. Rather than dislike, I'm disinterested in certain characters and I don't outright hate or dislike any character. I don't even hate Prospero/Hector, I just feel sad for him and Alexander (sad in a patronizing way).

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Hey Krista! Want to be our official discussion leader? Last Unicorn is coming up!"

Never mind. Joseph has agreed to lead it.

Thanks for the compliments and for thinking of me for the next discussion lead. As you can probably tell, I've been away for a bit (crazy life getting in the way of my book (and book discussion) time. I look forward to Joseph's leading!