I love magical, mystical, unusual stories. I grew up reading fairy tales, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and all the Oz books by L. Frank Baum. I adore Roald Dahl. Madeleine L'Engles's books still make me think, deeply. Some of my fellow Christians have a problem with magical, mystical stories. But, that is a debate for another time and place. I think one of the great things about literature is one can always close the book. I suppose the same can be said of this blog. Is this a great country, or what? Diverse opinions and open forums for discussion are precious freedoms, indeed.
I just finished reading The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. The book was "recommended" by Amazon based on prior purchases. Sometimes, Amazon gets it SO right. I clicked it to my Kindle after being intrigued by the description and reviews, and spend the better part of three days immersed in a great story.
Keep in mind, I had no business reading for hours at a time. This is my busiest time of year for making and selling jewelry. The Christmas season is fast approaching, I need to strike while the iron is hit and "move the merch(andise)" as my cousin Lauren would say. I have four trunk shows scheduled in the next two months and Ed's 60th birthday party to plan. What am I doing spending hours reading a book?
Such is the problem of finding a really fabulous, enthralling, imaginative "can't put it down" book.
Ms. Morgenstern has a way with words that is so rare these days. She paints her scenes and her characters with very fine strokes. Do you ever read a chapter or two, regretfully close the book to do some mundane task and feel like you have been dreaming? I mean, REALLY? The NIght CIrcus affected me that way. I felt like I was dreaming as I read, and had to shake myself awake when I closed the book. Sort of magical, don't you think?
I am not going to give away any of this story. Read it, if you love good story-telling, the age-old battle between Good and Evil, Love and Loss, Choices and Consequences, magic and beautiful prose.
"The past stays on you the way powdered sugar stays on your fingers."
Widget, The Night Circus
