Business-Day: By: Penny Haw, SOME months ago, a trapeze artist in Cape Town's Zip Zap Circus told me she was drawn to the circus as a child because she believed the artists performed magic. When she discovered the magic was an illusion, she was so enchanted by the idea that she decided to learn how to perform so others could enjoy the perceived magic she'd enjoyed. Erin Morgenstern's debut novel, The Night Circus, perpetuates the belief that circuses perform magic. Her tale of Celia, who, as a five-year-old, arrives without notice in the dressing room of her father, Hector Bowen (also known as Prospero the Entertainer), and Marco, the protege of Hector's rival, Alexander, is as much a fairy tale as it is romantic drama. Hector and Alexander have long been intense rivals in European circus circles. Although their ages are indefinite, they've both enjoyed a curiously long life span. For years, centuries perhaps, they've set their pupils against one another, testing their aptitude for illusion, enchantment and wizardry. And, when Hector discovers his own daughter's powers, he's determined he'll triumph once and for all. Alexander seeks out a nine-year-old orphan , who he calls Marco Alisdair, to train for the challenge. Although Celia and Marco understand they're the main players in an epic battle of magic, they're unaware of the deadly extent of the contest. Hector and Alexander, on the other hand, are unprepared for the eventuality of their proteges falling in love. I am not mesmerised by magic. Magicians frustrate and exhaust me. By focus ing too intently on what they're doing to deceive me, I'm underwhelmed by their acts. And, because I dislike animals performing tricks and am rather saddened by clowns, I'm not a fan of the circus. But Morgenstern's novel charmed me. She doesn't explain the magic. It's matter-of-fact. We know Celia has supernatural powers and that Marco is something of a psychic. We are also aware of the years of training and preparation Hector and Alexander put them through. But the author doesn't describe their lessons at length nor offer any explanations for their skills. It's accepted that magic exists in the circus and, it seems, if you decide to read the book, you've accepted an invitation to believe in Morgenstern's imaginary circus. It was only about halfway through that I realised the extent to which the author had convinced me to suspend my aversion to magic and circuses. I was completely caught up in the whimsical story, where rings disappear from fingers in a flash, branches bloom at a glance and gowns change colour in an instant. Morgenstern is a masterful writer and The Night Circus is a visual feast. Her writing is rich and rhythmic. There's not a lazy line or an incomplete thought or picture. Her descriptions are meticulous and explicit. She creates a convincing world of vivid colours, interesting textures, unanticipated emotions and even unexpected smells and tastes. (Food features prominently, particularly during the circus creator's famous midnight dinners.) In addition to Hector and Alexander, an eccentric cast of characters surrounds Celia and Marco. There's Bailey, the farm boy who first stepped into one of the circus tents as a dare. He befriends the redheaded twins, Poppet and Widget. Herr Friedrick Thiessen is contracted to build a clock for the circus but soon becomes Le Cirque des Rêves's chief groupie. Tsukiko is a tattooed contortionist who befriends Celia. Isobel is a former girlfriend and confidant of Marco and Mme Ana Padva is a retired ballerina from Romania. Although they are many, Morgenstern's characters are complex and credible. They're important to the plot and each plays a vital role in the contest. Because it is well written and affecting, the book is engaging and convincing. And remarkably there was never a time I was tempted to unravel Morgenstern's magic. I simply enjoyed it. If you're looking to get lost in a fairy tale of major proportions, which is beautifully told and totally absorbing, The Night Circus will do the trick. It's the most magical book I've read this year.
- Title: THE NIGHT CIRCUS
- Author: Erin Morgenstern
- Publisher: Random House. Source: businessday
