Carol's Comments June 2015

Carol’s Comments June 2015

Hello Everyone! Welcome to another issue  of  Carol’s Comments. I have to admit that although I thoroughly enjoyed the supernatural themed novel Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore a few years ago, I much prefer watching fantasy than reading it. So when the St Joseph County Library announced that The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern would be the featured selection for 2015’s One Book, One Michiana event, I approached the 2011 best seller cautiously yet curiously. 

Morgenstern’s enchantingly surreal novel begins when a strange, mysterious circus which only opens at night, suddenly appears at an undisclosed location anywhere in the world. Set mainly in late nineteenth century London and New York, Morgenstern’s book is actually the unconventional love story between competing young illusionists Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair. The Night Circus (aka Le Cirque des Reves) primarily serves as the arena for their magical battle.

Through a non-linear episodic plot, the reader learns how Celia’s father, magician Hector Bowen (aka Prospero the Enchanter) and Marco’s mentor, the elusive and menacing grey suited Alexander train their pupils for the impending contest.

Celia and Marco aren’t conventional magicians. They both possess incredible supernatural powers. For instance, at age six, Celia could move and transform objects with her mind and has self-healing abilities. By age sixteen, her father insisted that she work as a spiritualist so she could strengthen her clairvoyant gifts.

Conversely, Marco has more subtle powers. For example, he can create alternate realities anywhere. The most extraordinary way he displays this illusion is by creating intricate models that would suddenly appear at the Night Circus as spellbinding attractions within dream-like inter-connecting tents. Finally, his most amazing achievement is allowing all the circus’s performers and its organizers (except Poppet and Widget Murray who were born at the circus’s inception) to never age.

Marco first meets Celia in April 1886 when she auditions as an illusionist for Marco’s benefactor, the illustrious and eccentric Chandresh Christophe Lefevre who created the circus at one of his opulent Midnight Dinners in London. Both unaware of their opponent’s identity, complications ensue when Celia and Marco fall in love.

When the circus debuts in October 1886, it becomes wildly popular. Le Cirque des Reves seductively exudes a hypnotic ambience that is very tantalizing to anyone who patronizes it.

For instance, Herr Friedrick Thiessen (the man who designed the elaborate black and white clock which soon becomes the circus’ beckoning centerpiece) forms the Reveurs. These obsessive fans who wear black clothing and red scarfs to match the circus’ motif, religiously follow the circus wherever it goes. Eventually this group plays a pivotal role in the circus’ survival.

Ultimately, the circus, along with all of its performers and supporters cannot exist without Celia and Marco’s mystical and intensely emotional connection.

The Night Circus’ macabre and occult elements reminded me of a cross between the Harry Potter book series and my favorite childhood gothic TV show Dark Shadows.

Just a quick side note: I personally met Erin Morgenstern at a public lecture/book signing during the One Book, One Michiana festivities. I’ve never talked with a famous New York Times bestselling author, so I will always treasure my autographed copy of The Night Circus. Thanks for writing such a bewitching story Ms. Morgenstern! I’m really looking forward to reading her next book.

After finishing The Night Circus, I still had a craving for another magical realism novel. Then I remembered how I absolutely adored Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. I loved it so much that I actually bought myself the hardcover edition - something I rarely do. So a few weeks ago, I quickly raided my own bookcase and re-read it after twenty years.

Set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, Esquivel’s beguiling novel focuses on Tita, a young woman whose emotions magically affect every recipe she prepares.

When Tita’s father dies suddenly after her birth, Tita’s mother Mama Elena has to run the family ranch. So Tita grows up under the loving tutelage of the family cook Nacha who helps her perfect her culinary skills.

Being the youngest daughter, family tradition dictates that Tita can never marry. Instead she must take care of her mother until the day she dies.

Then when Tita turns fifteen, she falls deeply in love with Pedro Muzquiz who desperately wants to marry her. Despite Tita’s fervent pleas, Mama Elena won’t allow her to marry him. Much to Tita’s dismay, she forces Pedro to marry Tita’s older sister Rosaura instead. Pedro reassures Tita that by doing this, he will always be near the sister he truly loves.

As the wedding day nears, heartbroken Tita helps Nacha prepare the wedding feast. While making the wedding cake, Tita’s tears blend into the batter. At the wedding banquet, everyone who eats the cake (including the bride) develops an intense longing for a lost love and vomits violently.

As the years progress, Tita and Pedro can only communicate sexually with each other through her scrumptious concoctions. For instance, when she prepares Quail in Rose Petal Sauce which contains roses from Pedro’s bouquet tainted with Tita’s blood when the thorns prick her fingers, this meal causes a profound sexual response in anyone who tastes it.  The dish has the most dramatic effect on Tita’s sister Gertrudis. She becomes so sexually aroused that while taking a shower outside to quench the burning desire inside her, the wooden shower bursts into flames. As she runs naked in the fields, the roses’ aroma attracts one of Pancho Villa’s rebels. His uncontained lust compels him to lift Gertrudis up and make passionate love to her on horseback.

Ultimately, Esquivel’s erotic fairy tale paints an exquisite portrait of forbidden, star-crossed love. This wonderfully enchanting story was so fascinating that I read it in one weekend.

For my readers who enjoy foreign films, I highly recommend watching the Spanish movie adaption of this book Como Agua Para Chocolate produced and directed by Alfonso Arau.

Despite minor plot changes made for continuity and dramatic effect, Laura Esquivel’s screenplay beautifully captures the sensual atmosphere of her original novel. In fact, Lumi Cavazo’s emotional portrayal of Tita was just as I imagined; something that doesn’t ordinarily happen in film adaptations.  Just like Babette’s Feast, Chocolat and Big Night, Como Agua Para Chocolate, in its luscious simplicity, ranks as one of the best food oriented films ever made.

The books and movie reviewed in this blog can be found at most local public libraries. My readers in St Joseph County, Indiana can visit the St Joseph County Public Library’s web site at libraryforlife.org for more information. Thanks for reading and have a great summer! See you all next time!