Detail from the back cover of the hardback This is the first of what will probably turn out to be several installments based on this book, because I absolutely love it, and it has had a huge influence on my work, and is becoming an ever-increasing one upon my wardrobe…!
Le Cirque des Rêves, The Circus of Dreams, The Night Circus – a magical challenge, a magical circus, a magical love story. Flitting back and forth in time (sometimes, admittedly, a little confusingly – but then, confusion is what many of the book’s characters are feeling at some point or other), weaving a sparkly spell, Erin Morgenstern’s book grabbed me and scattered me with sparkle, and left me wishing it was all real. Part of the fun is the tantalising notion that, with proper instruction (and a lot of dedication!) it might just be possible to do magic!!
If I attempt to give more than the vaguest of plot outlines I might be in danger of giving away too much, so I won’t. It’s one of those books that has characters I’d want to meet, and it really did make me ache to find out what happened, whilst not wanting it to end. The reader is in the curious, and privileged, position of being aware that the ‘illusions’ are real, but also of being able to experience the wonder of it all - the sights, smells, tingles and tastes – as if we were unsuspecting visitors to the Circus, falling under its spell. In the WH Smith edition of the paperback is a ‘bonus ride on the carousel’, titled ‘Around and Around (and Around)’, which is actually a rather lovely addition, rather than something tacked-on. It’s an extra dose of wonder for those of us in danger of going cold turkey from the end of the dream.
 Underneath the dust jacket: the front cover, showing the clock set to midnight |  Inside the hardback: top hats and bowler hats |  The hardback and the paperback |
‘The Night Circus’ gives the lie to the phrase ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’ The cover illustration - by Vania Zouravliov - is stunning, and captures the spirit of the book beautifully. I’m fairly sure I wasn’t obsessed with black and white (and red) before encountering this book, but I am now! Some of the first things I made that were based on it were felt flower brooches, inspired by the original rêveur, Herr Friederic Thiessen (and his buttonhole/boutonnier). I ended up making a purple and white/ivory one too, as an ‘alternative rêveur’ colour scheme, because I prefer purple to red… My long-standing fascination with showgirls, and lifelong love of beads and trimmings also means that this book and I were probably destined for each other! It makes me want to build model tents (like Marco – but without the magic), and wear glamorous gowns and a top hat (like Celia), and buy a sugar rose and carefully wrap it up in tissue to keep as a memento. One of the stranger effects of this fixation is that I currently have quite a few Mini Lalaloopsy dolls at various stage of being turned into (among others) Poppet, Widget, Celia, acrobats, a fire-eater, and a balloon-seller!
 Felt brooches inspired by Herr Friedrick Thiessen |  My alternative colour scheme! Brooch shown on a page from: 'Mauve: How One Man Invented a Colour that Changed the World', by Simon Garfield |  'Night Circus'-inspired head pieces in progress |
If ‘The Night Circus’ really existed (and if they sold such a thing) I would buy a season ticket! I would be a rêveur. I am a rêveur.
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