Booknotes : The Night Circus

I felt like just came back from all over the world without the need to board a plane. It was like I am just there at the circus, Le Cirque des Reves that arrived without warning and only open at night till dawn.

I can’t recall all of it, but the starting of the scene was described with no color at all, just black and white stripes, grey sky, countless tents and iron fence casing them all.

This book made my heart glow even when the week has gone rogue at work.

I spent 48 hours switching from audio to kindle to finish this book. I just needed to know what happen next, could not put it down.

This book is about a long-standing battle of magic skills between two magicians that were passed till they have children. There was a lot of takeaways from this book that I wanted to document and make as my life lesson as well as the beautiful quotes:

Build a team of trusted and like-minded people to go after your vision

Going after your vision can be lonely at times. I admire the vision that Chandresh Christophe Lefevre had when he invited a group of collaborators and share his new idea of a circus, “Like no circus, anyone has ever seen.”

It’s amazing how the group moves quickly with the idea, starting to audition and found contortionist, illusionist, fortune teller, and many more talents.

Take risks even if it’s uncertain

I like how Celia is willing to take the chance, unlike others who have professional performance experience. She went to the circus and asked them to let her showcase her skills. It’s an absolute treasure, her passion turns into exactly what she wants. She also had other great deals to contribute for the benefit of the circus.

In real life, this interprets how an eagerness to participate leads you to work harder towards your vision. When you believe in it and want it so much, you will do absolutely anything to make it happen.

For you to win, another person doesn’t have to lose.

You present your skills to the best of your ability and your opponent does the same. You do not interfere with each other’s work. It shall continue in this manner until there is a victor. It is not that complex.”

Just like the 7 Habit of Highly Effective People, there’s an element of think win-win in this novel.

Don’t be hard on yourself, sometimes ….

The finest of pleasures are always the unexpected ones

Know what you can control and can’t control

This is getting tiring, Papa. My opponent clearly possesses comparable skills. How will you ever determine a winner?” “That is not your concern,” her father’s voice hisses, closer to her ear than she would like. “You are a disappointment, I expected better from you. You need to do more.” “Doing more is exhausting,” Celia protests. “I can only control so much.” “It’s not enough,” her father says. “When will it be enough?” Celia asks, but there is no reply, and she stands alone amongst the stars.

“I am tired of trying to hold things together that cannot be held,” Celia says when he approaches her. “Trying to control what cannot be controlled. I am tired of denying myself what I want for fear of breaking things I cannot fix. They will break no matter what we do.”

You can carve your own future

“You will be fine,” the fortune-teller says. “There may be decisions to make, and surprises in store. Life takes us to unexpected places sometimes. The future is never set in stone, remember that.”

The only way to be great at something is by making mistakes

The greatest wizard in history made the mistake of sharing his secrets. And his secrets were both magic and important, so it was a rather serious mistake.

You can always start with an intent

You’re not destined or chosen, I wish I could tell you that you were if that would make it easier, but it’s not true. You’re in the right place at the right time, and you care enough to do what needs to be done. Sometimes that’s enough.

Be willing and raise awareness to hear and see things from a different perspective

How can the people watching not see the difference?” the boy asks. To him it is clear, though he cannot properly articulate why. It was something he felt in the air as much as observed with his eyes. “People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see

🛒 Order The Night Circus

📚 Explore other Booknotes