Daren
I enjoyed this book, but I can see how others may find it lacking enough plot to justify its approximately 500 pages. The writing is very descriptive - it creates an atmosphere and a environment in the circus that is so well described (others may consider over-described) it is possible to imagine every detail in the black and white world of Le Cirque des Reves. The jumping narrative and short chapters following the different strings of the story work well for me in this book.
I don't feel the need to expand on the plot, as there are already so many reviews which will do this better than I can. There is, near the end of the book, a quote I quite liked though:
“...Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.”
I enjoyed this book, but I can see how others may find it lacking enough plot to justify its approximately 500 pages. The writing is very descriptive - it creates an atmosphere and a environment in the circus that is so well described (others may consider over-described) it is possible to imagine every detail in the black and white world of Le Cirque des Reves. The jumping narrative and short chapters following the different strings of the story work well for me in this book.
I don't feel the need to expand on the plot, as there are already so many reviews which will do this better than I can. There is, near the end of the book, a quote I quite liked though:
“...Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.”