Who Would Like This Book:
Angela Carter's 'Nights at the Circus' is a wildly inventive ride through magic, myth, and feminism. With its flamboyant cast - especially the unforgettable, winged Fevvers - the novel blends magical realism, rich period detail, and biting humor. The narrative is big, bold, and fearless, perfect for readers who adore surreal adventures, larger-than-life characters, and clever, sensuous prose. If you love fairy tales turned inside out, circus stories with a literary twist, or fiction that dances between reality and the fantastical, this one's a must-read.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found Carter’s prose a bit dense or overly florid, and the plot can feel meandering or confusing, especially in the second half. The surreal, nonlinear storytelling and frequent shifts in tone might not appeal to those who like tidy narratives or who want to feel emotionally connected to the characters. Also, if magical realism and ambiguity aren't your thing, this book's unique style may not win you over.
About:
Angela Carter's book, 'Nights at the Circus', takes readers on a whimsical journey from London to St. Petersburg and into Siberia, set in the year 1899. The story revolves around Fevvers, an aerialiste with seemingly magical wings, whose mystery captivates journalist Jack Walser. As the circus travels to Russia, Carter's characters, described as strange and verging on the insane, unfold their stories in a theatrical, magical, and compelling manner. The narrative weaves between showmanship and reality, blurring the lines with elements of magical realism, dreamlike sequences, and surreal events.
The novel is praised for Angela Carter's smooth and lyrical writing style, creating a world where the impossible seems almost probable. The book challenges traditional aspects of fairytales, gender roles, and sexuality, offering a rich and layered narrative that is both grand and excessive, debauched and lavish. Despite some opinions on the uneven pacing and meandering plot, the book is commended for its unique storytelling, larger-than-life characters, and masterful deployment of language, making it a textual burlesque and a delightful read.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The novel includes themes and references to violence, sexual exploitation, and possibly disturbing content related to the circus and its characters.
Has Romance?
The book contains a romantic subplot between Fevvers and Jack Walser, although the primary focus remains on identity and self-exploration rather than romance itself.
From The Publisher:
Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction
From the master of the literary supernatural and author of The Bloody Chamber, her acclaimed novel about the exploits of a circus performer who is part-woman, part-swan
Sophi Fevvers-the toast of Europe's capitals, courted by the Prince of Wales, painted by Toulouse-Lautrec-is an aerialiste extraordinaire, star of Colonel Kearney's circus. She is also part woman, part swan. Jack Walser, an American journalist, is on a quest to discover Fevvers's true identity: Is she part swan or all fake? Dazzled by his love for Fevvers, and desperate for the scoop of a lifetime, Walser joins the circus on its tour. The journey takes him-and the reader-on an intoxicating trip through turn-of-the-century London, St. Petersburg, and Siberia-a tour so magical that only Angela Carter could have created it.
Ratings (8)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (4) | |
Liked It (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (73):
Read It (8) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (46) | |
Not Interested (18) |
1 comment(s)
This is one of the books that have been one my mental TBR for the longest time. I think from around 2016. Don't often buy books new library's, second hand and flea market is more my strategy for getting books. But after I've learned I could request books at my library this was one of the first books I just got to read. I love Angela Carter's way of writing stories. They are a bit weird but in a different beautiful as well. And this was no different from that. I found her stories to be rather uniqe and a fun reading experience even though it can sometimes get a bit odd. I'm intruiged to look for more books by her to request but I think I've only got short stories collections of her left
What can you read after
Nights at the Circus?
About the Author:
ANGELA CARTER (1940-1992) was an English novelist, short story writer, and journalist. She wrote nine novels and numerous short stories, as well as nonfiction, radio plays, and the screenplay for Neil Jordan's 1984 movie The Company of Wolves, based on her…
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