Morgenstern juxtaposes a duel between master and student; a difference of philosophy of teaching between the same master and student over the backdrop of the most wondrous circus ever.
In one tent a secret garden of ice always blooms year round. In another tent a contortionist extraordinaire stuns the crowd into silence. In another tent an illusionist performs feats never before imagined. Always as you round another corner there is another tent to look into and be wowed by the contents.
Bailey is a patron of the circus and is trying to decide whether he should take over the farm as his father wants him to do or whether he should go to Harvard as his grandmother wants him to do.
Celia is the Illusionist and she holds the circus together more than anyone realizes.
Chandresh is the proprietor of the circus: he holds wild parties with dinners that start at midnight and entertains until the last guests leave near dawn.
The contortionist, Tsukiko has her own secret and she isn't telling anyone... yet.
Then there is Poppet and Widget the twins born the night the circus opened who having flaming red hair which is alright in every day life, but must be hidden during performances. The night circus is a circus of black and white striped tents and and its performers all must wear black, white or silver.
Morgenstern wrote such a magical story I can't give it justice. All I can say is you should read this book!
Rating: 10/ 10
ISBN: 9780385534635
Publisher: Doubleday
Edition: 1st Edition