A year ago today The Night Circus was published, official US publication date and all. I suppose that makes this some sort of book birthdayaversarysomething.
(I remain inordinately fond of the number 13.)
I am still in a little bit of disbelief that it’s even a proper book. You would think that would have sunk in by now. Though I think the fact that it’s a proper book in a great many languages, including Japanese, makes the whole thing extra surreal.
I can’t believe it’s been a year. It seems like everything went by so fast and yet last autumn seems so long ago.
And in some ways I feel like I didn’t really do that much this year, since the book was already finished and my year was spent on airplanes going from place to place to read aloud and babble and sign a great many copies of it to the point where my signature deteriorated (I am still crossing the t and it has developed an occasional loop after the n) and meet so many lovely people, returning home only to nap for weeks at a time.
Things happened around me, in strange and wonderful ways, thanks to a lot of people.
And now somehow it is September 13th again. Strange time, the way it continues ever onward.
So thank you. Thank you to every single person who has read the book. Everyone who came to events in so many cities that I lost count. Everyone who had a book club meeting with a color scheme.
Every bookseller who has hand-sold the book and everyone at a great number of publishing houses, particularly all my Random House lovelies.
Everyone who has tweeted or reviewed or blogged or sent me email that I am still woefully behind on.
Everyone anywhere who has donned a splash of red not for the book, but for the circus itself. Because really, that’s what it’s for.
Thank you, truly.
I hope your scarves keep you warm as we tumble into autumn, and I hope your dreams are sweet.
19 Comments
Myra · September 13, 2012 at 3:30 pm
No, THANK YOU, for the best book I’ve read in a very long time.
Suzanne · September 13, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Thank you for bringing the Circus into our lives! It was the only book I brought to London with me when I moved in January and went straight into my “Favourite Books Ever” list.
You’re a wonder and an inspiration. I can only look forward to the next book you gift us with.
Michelle B · September 13, 2012 at 3:39 pm
I second that. It is top on my list of favorite books.
brianne · September 13, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Thank YOU, Erin! Happy Bookaversary!
Maureen G. · September 13, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Erin–
When is your next book coming? Night Circus is now on my top 5 list, as it was a page turner from start to finish! You are a very talented writer… thank you!
Maureen
Ea · September 13, 2012 at 9:45 pm
i love the cover of the Japanese version of The Night Circus. also, if you have time, i posted my rendition of Poppet on my blog. hope you can check it! 🙂
Hannah · September 13, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Like Suzanne, I recently moved overseas, and your book was one of the few to make the cut to join me in China. I read it and re-read it, and it is just as magical every time. You have a gift. Thank you.
Cheryl Martin · September 14, 2012 at 2:27 am
I love The Night Circus. We live in grey days. I much prefer black and white.
Danielle · September 14, 2012 at 5:55 am
I thank YOU for writing such a wonderful book! I am a middle school teacher and get very excited whenever I see a student with the book. It quickly made its way to be one of my favorites!
Jeremy · September 14, 2012 at 8:51 am
Is it only a year! I have just finished reading it (well, actually listening to Jim Dale’s fabulous narration) for the second time, which I doubt will be the last. Thank you, Erin, for a wonderful, descriptive work that flies in the face of most passionless, minimalist, generic contemporary fiction.
So cannot wait for your next book.
Jeremy
Leslie · September 14, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Thank you, Erin, for this beautiful book! It’s at the top of my “favorite books” list, as well — above my other fantasy favorites by J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, C.S. Lewis, and Philip Pullman. I can’t wait to see the film adaptation, but I’m even more excited about your next book 🙂 Thanks again!
Melissa Walker · September 15, 2012 at 11:06 am
Yes! Thank you! I loved this book and will read it again many times for years to come!
Cyngus · September 15, 2012 at 11:06 am
Thank you Erin!! Thank you for your perfect world and your gentle words. I’m going to introduce this book to my class just because you made something really special! Thank you!
Karen J Massey · September 15, 2012 at 9:13 pm
This is the review that I just posted on Goodreads:
This is an enchanting story that engaged me from the start. The next time I read it, I am going to buy a paperback copy so that I can take it apart from the binding. Then I will put it back together in chronological order. I can hardly wait to see if it reads the same or not. I could see the pictures that the author painted with her exquisite choices of words and nuances. I loved many of the characters. Marco and Celia contained both hard realistic and quaint ethereal elements. Their story was revealed in flowing style. I was afraid that Isobel might be more sinister than the feelings that I had reading her character. The auxiliary, though not minor characters, were skillfully developed with rich descriptions. My favorite words were spoken by Prospero, “This is abhorrent…this debauched juxtaposition..” This is a book I will read again. It is origami in words. Thank you Ms Morgenstern for your great book.
Marcheline · September 16, 2012 at 11:52 am
Thank YOU, Erin. I mean, the book is great, obviously, but thank you for continuing to share with us, posting these great Friday stories and letting us have a glimpse into your life. The big successes are the easiest to list, but the little details and side alleys are the juiciest, to me.
Zara · September 17, 2012 at 10:21 am
The Night Circus helped me find a part of myself that had been lost for some time. Thank you.
Leila · September 17, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Erin!
1. I want to hang your sketch of the kittens in my apartment.
2. I read TNC and LOVED it; recommended it to my father who also loved it, and we sometimes talk about what it would be like to go, and what tents we’d go to first.
3. Your everyday blogging and your tips on writing keep me moving forward, a wonderful reminder that a first draft can be a mess and it can still grow into something as gorgeous as your circus.
4. I don’t read Japanese. Yet. But I want that book.
5. Happy Bookiversary! ^_^
Noël Marin · September 22, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Thank you for taking this delighted 82 year old back into the mindrooms of her childhood with all of her wisdom intact.
Please write…more!
Lori McCabe · November 14, 2012 at 12:43 pm
I just stumbled upon your blog today…yeah for me! Your book is so wonderfully delicious in every way. I neglected all members of my family while reading it. You must be SO happy with yourself. Publishing a novel like this is every aspiring writer’s dream. I’m looking forward to following your blog. Congratulations!
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