Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Il circo della notte by Erin Morgenstern

48 reviews

thehobbitbarbie's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a testament to the power of language in storytelling. Every moment I was reading, I felt like I was fully there, walking through the circus, experiencing the white and black powdered ground and caramel-scented air. It was enchanting and intoxicating and strangely distant. It was like being fed maraschino cherries dipped in dark chocolate by my secret lover while they whisper old stories, only to close the book, wake up, and realize it was a dream and that nothing was real except the confusion and disappointment and longing that lingered. 
It's almost impossible not to wax a little poetic about it because this is a highly poetic book, which is wild considering it's at least partially, basically about Disney adults. All that to say, it was a five-star read for me, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for what I can only describe as a luscious read.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Grief

daisyfont's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It took me ages to finish this book. 
This was the book I read before going to bed. Erin's description of the (probably gigantic) circus is beautiful, but I didn't feel very much for the characters. I didn't really care about the development of the story, the characters or the ending. 

I also have her other book, The Starless Sea, on my book shelf. But it will remain there for a while, I think.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief

Minor: Murder and Pregnancy

chronicacademia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A friend of mine once described Erin Morgenstern books as “bedtime stories for adults” and I can’t help but agree. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Suicide

adarose's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Animal death, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Addiction, Suicide, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

kcmg710's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Animal cruelty

Minor: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Sexual content

aas's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Alcohol, and Suicide

sadiaa's review against another edition

4.0

I found myself wanting more from the story. 
I prefer the starless sea to this book

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Murder, and Dementia

innerweststreetlibrarian's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is such a lovely book, magical and delightful like a children’s fantasy but with a bit more grit and romance to keep it interesting for adults. The circus tents reminded me a little of the magical worlds at the top of the faraway tree. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Murder

Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Addiction, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse

jobaji's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow! This is truly different from any book I have ever read. It’s so magical and interesting! All of the characters are so colorful, despite their black and white surroundings. If you are a fantasy fan, look into this for a fun deviation from the norm!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, and Child abuse

Minor: Sexual content

sxndaze's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Gorgeous and intriguing!! It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but Erin Morgenstern’s books are enhanced in audiobook format. I could better catch details by physically reading it, but the atmosphere and the magic really feels captured by the narration in both The Night Circus and The Starless Sea. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Suicide