This gorgeous image nicked from here and is very appropriate for this gorgeous book.
I think I mentioned before my love for Heroes and Villains so it should come as no shock that I also adored Nights at the Circus. It’s a lovely easy read. By which I don’t mean that it’s simple or dull or anything like that. It’s wonderful and you should absolutely read it. Also it has a female who farts, and is still attractive. That’s like a blue literary moon.
However, the ending. The question. Trying to not be to spoilery, the plot revolves around Fevvers an aerilaliste who may or may not be possessed of wings. And it’s one of those things that gets left unsatisfying unanswered. It makes me think of something I read Kazuo Ishiguro say about A Pale View of The Hills.
‘The ending is almost like a puzzle. I see nothing artistically to be gained by puzzling people to that extent. That was just inexperience—misjudging what is too obvious and what is subtle. Even at the time the ending felt unsatisfactory.’
Which is basically how I feel about all open to interpretation endings. I get that it’s the point or half the point. Her wings symbolism New Women who get referenced a bit or something and there’s an interesting musing on marriage and me-ness. But fuck it decide either way. Schrodinger’s Box novels suck.
Anyway it is a very good book which I can heartily recommend.
And on a similarly titled note The Night Circus is also a damned good read.
1000 Little Pieces 