The Night Circus

How do I even begin to describe this book? Enchanting. Stunning. Ethereal. All words that come to mind. The Night Circus is magical realism at its best, and Erin Morgenstern has created a fantastic adventure that reads like a dream, carefully constructed of magic and intrigue. She has a brilliant imagination.

The primary story line revolves around Marco and Celia, two magicians who, unbeknownst to them, are pawns in a fascinating game of cat-and-mouse. While there are several additional story lines, this is the most captivating. And, as the title indicates, everything takes place among the setting of the night circus (Le Cirque des Rêves), one of the most original creations I think I’ve ever encountered.

From the vividly striped black and white tents that seem to appear out of thin air at night to the colorful, well-defined cast of characters and their spellbinding performances, Morgenstern proves a master at creating mesmerizing images that leave you wondering how any of this is even possible. Her writing blurs the line between what’s real and what isn’t while providing a nice dose of sensory overload!

Thanks to my mom for suggesting this crazy good book. And even though it was a tad too long for my short attention span, I promise it will not be a read you soon forget. I also hear a movie is in the works, which, with the right director and cast, should be absolutely amazing! 

Life of Pi

In anticipation of the movie, I thought I would post my thoughts on Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, one of my all-time favorite books. I hope Director Ang Lee can do it justice on the big screen.

When sixteen-year-old Pi Patel’s family (his father is proprietor of the Pondicherry Zoo) decides to move from India to Canada and boards a Japanese cargo ship (with many of the zoo’s animals in cages below deck), the story that unfolds is an incredible, unnerving one. Only days into the journey, the ship sinks and leaves Pi the only survivor aboard a life boat with an ailing zebra, an orangutan, a hyena and a male Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. How can Pi possibly survive?

But Life of Pi is not really about a young castaway and a tiger. Rather, it is an exploration of faith and tolerance. As Pi is set adrift (literally!) with only himself and God to chart the waters of survival, he must learn to live with Richard Parker, who represents all of life’s fears and challenges.

I loved this book because it leaves you asking a lot of questions. What actually happened on that life boat? Be warned that this is not a light read, especially the first section. But, I’d love to know what you think once you’ve had the chance to read this award-winning novel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Language of Flowers

I recently read the highly acclaimed The Language of Flowers during my flight to Sweden (it’s amazing what you can accomplish in 8 hours!). In her debut novel, Vanessa Diffenbaugh has created a very real (although not very likable) protagonist, Victoria, who has faced unimaginable heartbreak after spending almost her entire life in foster care. After finally being released from the system on her 18th birthday, Victoria begins a new life working at a flower shop, where she herself begins to blossom. The story toggles between Victoria’s present life and various childhood events and relationships, many of which were painful to read, that help the reader clearly understand just why Victoria is the way she is.

While I don't want to reveal too much about the plot, I must confess that the closer I got to the ending, the less certain I was about how much I liked what I was reading. Sure, this book will draw you in — Diffenbaugh is a gifted story teller. But, if you’re like me, I think the story may leave you feeling a little unsettled. Pick this one up and let me know what you think!

P.S. Definite bonus points for the comprehensive flower dictionary. I was intrigued by what some of the flowers represent.

The Shoemaker's Wife

When Ciro Lazzari and Enza Ravenelli leave their small Italian villages (separately) for America in the early 1900s, they seem destined to end up together, even after experiencing only one brief encounter. Using your power of deduction based on the book’s title (and quickly discovering that Ciro becomes a shoemaker’s apprentice once he arrives in New York City), it’s probably safe to assume the outcome of their relationship.

Nevertheless, Adriana Trigiani has created a lovely tale that deftly weaves together the importance of family, friendship, the search for truth and ultimately, forgiveness. While I felt the book meandered just a bit and could have been pared down in some places, Trigiani certainly has a way with words. Her vivid descriptions of food, people and landscapes make you feel like you’re sitting right alongside her characters.

An enjoyable read, I’d rate The Shoemaker's Wife 4 out of 5 stars. 

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Harold Fry, a recent retiree, is sitting in his kitchen in England when he receives a letter from Queenie Hennessey, an old friend and work colleague, telling him she’s dying of cancer. After sharing the news with his wife, Maureen, Harold pens a response and promptly heads outside to drop it in the mail. But Harold doesn’t stop there. He decides that he’s going to walk all the way to Queenie’s bedside — more than 500 miles — so he can personally thank her for her kindness all those years ago.

Harold’s pilgrimage is as much an emotional journey as it is a physical one. The reader learns about the joys and sorrows, successes and failures that have shaped Harold’s life, and the effect they’ve had on his relationships with Maureen, Queenie and his son, David. As Harold continues his cross-country trek, sending letters and postcards beseeching Queenie to “hang in there” until he arrives, he becomes something of a folk hero, drawing crowds of curious onlookers and well-wishers as he makes his way toward Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

Rachel Joyce has created a tale that’s sweet, heartbreaking, quirky and a little bit humbling. I think you’ll find yourself rooting for Harold and optimistic about what’s next for him once the journey is complete. Many thanks, Mom, for recommending this little gem!

The Elephant Keeper

The Elephant Keeper, set in 18^th century England, tells the story of Tom Page, a horse trainer who suddenly finds himself the caretaker of two young elephants (Jenny and Timothy). I was initially intrigued by the deep connection that develops between Tom and the elephants, particularly Jenny, in this coming-of-age tale. Christopher Nicholson’s crisp writing style allows the reader to believe that the communication taking place between these two characters is similar to communication that humans are capable of having (can Jenny actually understand Tom and speak to him?).

However, as the story progresses, Nicholson seems to lose focus. The book ends without any sense of finality, leaving the reader to wonder what really happened (and not in a good way, either).

If you love elephants, I think you’d enjoy this book, as it’s filled with interesting facts about the creatures (and other animals that were fairly foreign to most of the world’s population during the late 1700s). Otherwise, skip this one and instead grab a copy of The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb.

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

This is the second book by Melanie Benjamin that I’ve read and I truly believe that she is one of the best authors I have ever encountered— a wonderful storyteller. With her carefully crafted writing, it’s easy to forget that The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is actually a work of fiction, albeit “historical” fiction. Regardless, I find myself envious of Ms. Benjamin’s way with words.

In this novel, Benjamin brings to life the story of Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump (aka Vinnie/Mrs. Tom Thumb), who at less than 3’ tall, becomes a superstar as a performer with P.T. Barnum’s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Hippodrome. During her course of employment, Vinnie meets and falls in love with the diminutive General Tom Thumb (aka Charles Stratton), a performer who has already achieved international fame in Barnum’s museum and traveling shows. The tiny couple captures the hearts of dignitaries and commoners around the world (their wedding was attended by more than 2,000 guests!), and spends the rest of their lives performing in some capacity.

Vinnie’s story, set during America’s Gilded Age, is a captivating one. I think readers will relate to this charming yet flawed character and the relationship she has with her family, particularly the bond she shares with younger sister Minnie, and Mr. Barnum (an oddly fascinating man).

A definite page turner, I hope Ms. Benjamin is currently working on her next novel (hurry, please).