Tolog Review: The Night Circus

The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
reviewed by Lizie Li 

Only at nightfall, a “black and white stripes” tent called Le Cirque des Rêves opens with no signs. What is going on under the mysterious, colorless world? What happens to those two young magicians, Marco and Celia behind the stage? The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern shows us an astonishing romantic love story between two adolescent characters, and a fantastic journey for them to fight for themselves.

Both Marco and Celia have grim guardians playing the role of their parents. The value of Marco and Celia is to compete each other after a long time learning psychical magic, because their “parents” are enemies. They are trained strictly to win the battle because “the loser will die”. Marco is isolated at a very young age by his “father”, Mr. A.H, who forbids him to get out of the place where he lives, but studying dark magic all the time; Celia’s “father”, Prospero the Enchanter, slices his daughter’s finger when she does not learn the magic well. 

Nevertheless, none of them cares about their children, because for them, nothing is as important as success. They never think about how badly they treat Marco and Celia that they only use these immature children as the machine for competing. They never ask how they feel but keep telling things that Marco and Celia are reluctant to do.

The marvelous love story between Marco and Celia reminds me of Romeo and Juliet, “a pair of star-crossed lovers”, whose incredible love illuminates the darkness of a violent society and their rival families. Both Marco and Celia grow into mature adults through the course of love. They unite and fight against their guardians eventually, because they are eager to change their fates instead of being forced to follow other people. The increasingly willingness of love and liberty pushes them to an extraordinary path living for themselves. 

The darkest part is not the magic itself, and the most dangerous thing is not the night circus but what those two selfish guardians deal with their children. I gain lots of inspirations about the relationship between young and old generations. Brunonia Barry, author of The Lace Reader, points out this book is “Dark as soot and bright as sparks”. She praises “this is a love story on a grand scale: it creates, it destroys, it ultimately transcends”. Indeed, Erin brings the illusions of magic into an actual world. She emphasizes the importance of equilibrium in the society. Furthermore, it is significant for us to follow our hearts and be ourselves.