The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Once in a while you find a book that is just filled with magic and wonder that it pains you to see the harsh reality around your own world.  How you wish that such fictional things were not just dreams on a page and that they could really be.  One such book that I found recently is “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern.  This book got me right from the moment I first saw it at the bookstore – black and white and red, all glamour, mystery, and magic.  If ever I’d be crazy enough to try to put together a list of books I most love (an impossible, unthinkable endeavor), this book will definitely be somewhere near the top of that list. 

From www.erinmorgenstern.com comes this description:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

I don’t even know where to begin describing the experience of reading this book.  I am no literary critic; I can only try to put into words how it felt like for me to experience a piece of literature.  When I started reading this book, I just felt like I was already there – like I fell into the world by accident and didn’t even feel the wind of the passage.  And throughout the reading I felt such longing for the circus to be true, to really exist even if I could never go there myself.  It almost doesn’t matter that I’ll never enter any of the tents, or see the bonfire, or witness the performances.  Just having it all be real would be enough. 

I fell in love with all the characters – every single one of them, from the proprietors to the ticket sellers.  How I wished I could actually see their performances in the tents or on the grounds as people walked around.  I empathized with their fears, dismays, curiosities, joys, and triumphs.  And central to it all is the astounding magical dynamic between Marco and Celia.  Throughout the entire story I desperately hoped that they’ll find happiness and overcome all difficulties, for there were times in the story when I felt that not even all the magic they have between them could possibly save them.

The author was able to create such a magical world – I could practically see the bonfire and smell the caramel.  What an amazing imagination, to have produced something like this.  It does remind me of a couple of other books.  One is “Something Wicked This Way Comes” by Ray Bradbury, and another is “The Prestige” by Christopher Priest – both of which are just as well worth reading.  It has been a long time since any book has elicited such an emotional response from me.  I do wish more and more people will read “The Night Circus” and experience its magic, too.  

The Law of Nines - Terry Goodkind

I finished reading this book in one day.  Being a fan of Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series, I enjoyed it very much.  It's more of an offshoot of the series, but could very well be enjoyed as a separate novel.  If you have never read any of the books in that series, this might actually be a good place to start. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced, high-tension action of the story.  They will also be made to empathize with the characters - wishing them success at every conflict, hoping for a happy ending in spite of all the gruesome and horrific ordeals they must live through.  I think this is the most important aspect of any good story: its ability to make the reader believe the fiction (suspension of disbelief) and to make them empathize with the characters.

I have only two comments for this book.  First, I dislike it when villains start talking about their plans right in front of the protagonist.  I wish Mr. Goodkind could find a more subtle way to reveal the nefarious character of the villains rather than through plain dialogue.  Villains who gloat too much, who brag about their wicked plans to the suffering hero - it comes off as cliche, deliberate, and contrived.  Second, the ending - for me a tad bit rushed and anti-climactic.  It was only at the ending that the main antagonist was revealed, and I'd have wanted the antagonist to have had more depth and rationale to his character.  I think it would have been a bit better if he were more disturbed, self-righteous, vicious, and psychotic.  Still, the pacing, action, and thrill of the plot makes up for all these, and I have to say that I liked it overall.  I give it 6/10.

I can't wait for the paperback edition of "The Omen Machine" to be released here in Manila.  It is the latest installment to the "Sword of Truth" series, and I'm really excited.  I do wish more people will catch on to that series - it's so much fun.

"The Two Princesses of Bamarre" and "Ella Enchanted" - Gail Carson Levine

Sometime in late February I read two books by Gail Carson Levine, "The Two Princesses of Bamarre" and "Ella Enchanted".  Some years ago I saw the Ella Enchanted movie starring Anne Hathaway and thought that it was a pretty cute story.  So when I saw these two books at a book sale, I bought them to give them a try.  

"The Two Princesses of Bamarre" centers around two sisters and their relationship with each other.  One is timid and introverted, and considers herself a coward and weakling, while the other is the complete opposite - and dreams of adventures and heroic deeds.  However, a mysterious terminal disease falls upon the adventurous sister, and the timid sister must find the courage and strength to go on an adventure in search of a cure.  I like the way the two sisters are portrayed, and how their characters slowly deepen as the story progresses and both of them face very different dilemmas each.

"Ella Enchanted" is a Newberry Award winning piece, and no wonder.  It is an absolutely refreshing take on a classic tale.  The heroine is sassy and strong - nothing cliche about her - and faces quite a unique predicament. I love how the author portrayed her and how her interactions with the other equally memorable characters and quirky situations aid in the deeper development of her personality.  The different conflicts that she must face are also memorable and fun.  The author really gave this setting and plot all the magic and weirdness it deserved - very well delivered. Quite different from the movie, I sort of wish I read the book first before I saw the film, not the other way around.  Still, I think both are equally as enjoyable.  

These two books target a younger set of readers, maybe 10-14, but I believe most everyone will enjoy them.  Happy reading! 

Half World - Hiromi Goto

I'm recovering from a myomectomy, so while I'm in bed and not able to move so much, I'll try to read as many books as I could.  I've had this book for a while and it's high time I finally got around to it.  

What a lovely story.  I suppose the best way to describe the experience of reading it is to compare it to watching a film by Hayao Miyazaki.  An uncertain youth, plagued by poverty, bullying, and other such social dilemmas, is confronted with the reality of another world - one so monstrous and magical that she is all but lost.  Weighed by an enormous responsibility, an almost sacred duty, she must learn to make her decisions very carefully as she tries to negotiate the cruel and harsh truths she must face. She learns of profound fear, sacrifice, loss, and still she must find the strength of will and hope where it seems all hope could never be.  "Half World" may seem like it is about religion, or cultural disparity, but it is more than that.  It's a story of growing up and learning about the agonies and joys of life; about being brave in spite of all one's difficulties and burdens; and finding beauty and redemption that is beyond all fear and weakness.  I recommend this book to all readers, young and old. I give it 9/10.

Perfume - Patrick Suskind

This is one of the best stories I've encountered recently.  It's a tale of a man who was born with an amazing ability - an acute sense of smell.  Life takes him along a path that leads him to learn the intricacies that will make him the world's greatest perfumer, and eventually to commit several murders, in search of the ultimate scent that he hopes will bring him triumph and affirmation.

I love how the story is told - almost like a fairy tale - so graceful and restrained.  Grenouille, the main character, was not portrayed as something to be reviled, nor something to be pitied.  He was never made to sound like a hero nor a villain.  All of his actions were the consequences of his nature, the nature of the people whom he encountered in his life, and the nature of the milieu of the time.  You will feel that he is blameless and innocent, a victim of fate - just like how we think of ourselves and all the rest of us here on this earth.  He merely did what he had to do to seek that which he thought would make him happy.  Isn't that exactly what we all want out of life?

I recommend this book to people who are not afraid of truth, and who prefer their stories to be free of cliches and stereotypes.  Those who will like this book are open-minded, who do not think that all beauty is goodness, and that all that is good is beautiful.  Readers of this book will learn that redemption doesn't necessarily mean being saved, and that success may not be as sweet as we thought it might be.  You must have time to read this book from start to finish, for you will not want to let it go.  If I would rate it, I'd give it a definite 10/10.  Happy reading.

My Girl (TV Asahi)

A family drama about a struggling photographer who doesn't really follow any direction in his life until he encounters a little girl who claims to be his daughter.  It all starts from there. 

I liked the pace of this series - it doesn't drag out too long.  The conflicts presented are also quite realistic.  It also asks the fundamental question of parenthood - how much are you willing to sacrifice for the happiness of your children?  There are some moments that are really thought-provoking and emotive. 

The actors did a pretty decent job.  I didn't have any particular favorite among the characters, but I particularly disliked the senpai he had at the office (with that ridiculous hairstyle).  But I guess that character was tailored to be exactly as he had been portrayed.  I wonder why Japanese dramas cannot seem to leave off with exaggerated comic types like these?  Sometimes it's really overdoing it, I think.  The whole thing could have done without such a character.

Not too bad.  If I were to rate it, I'd say 8/10.

The Castle Corona

I love reading books for children.  I've read so many that I'm quite regretful that I never kept track of all of them or wrote a list of the books that I've read.  Nevertheless, I would like to start talking about them some more.  I have a great love for the classics and for folk and fairy tales.  They just feed my imagination and color the world inside my head.  I hope more people, especially adults, would indulge in the pleasure of literature for children.  We all deserve to feel young again, and what better way to do it than to travel the world of magic and innocence once in a while?

The latest book for children I read was "The Castle Corona."  I immediately bought this book once I saw it because of the beautiful colors and illustrations.  It's so reminiscent of those illuminated texts from the medieval age.  Don't judge me for judging a book by its cover, though; half of the fun of children's literature is in its illustrations and pictures, right?  Judging by the cover alone, don't you feel that this book is just full of magic and mystery?

The story goes around the royal family (who live in the splendid castle), a pair of poor sibling children (who live as peasants with a cruel master in the village), a thief, a story-teller, hermits, and well-kept secrets.  Ooooh. Not bad to start with. 

I like the way the author portrayed the characters.  It's hard to be poor, but even royalty have their own woes.  Everyone here in this story is simply human.  And they learn more and more about themselves and about their misconceptions as the intrigue behind stolen treasures and concealed identities are slowly revealed.  All in all, a well-paced, entertaining read, quite hard to put down.  Give it a try.