The Book Nook

Intricate and Absorbing Fiction One suggestion that comes to mind when fiction lovers ask for something “different, absorbing, or fabulous” is Erin Morgenstern’s debut novel “The Night Circus”.  Allegedly rejected by 30 literary agents before being published in 2011, it became a number one national bestseller that was sold around the globe in 37 different languages.  It spawned an interactive browser-based computer game. Many readers who normally prefer other genres really liked this one.  Those who asked for more by her were disappointed that nothing new was available.  The wait for her second work is finally over, as “The Starless Sea” was published in November of this year. If you loved the fairytale feel of “The Night Circus” you won’t be disappointed, for this is also an imaginative and enchanting work with beautifully crafted backdrops.  The black and white theme (with touches of red to symbolize love or passion) is back in a new venue – a multi-layered underground world that contains the starless sea and much more. The premise is that this vast subterranean region contains countless rooms of libraries guarded by a secret society.  They access these rooms through doors that are painted onto walls.  One day a young boy named Zachary Rawlins finds such a door.  The part of him that believes in magic tells him there’s something wonderful behind that door.  Another part tells him he’s childish to believe in such things and convinces him to walk away.  From that moment on he regrets his decision. Years later as a post-graduate student, Zachary stumbles across a strange book of stories.  If you hate spoilers skip to the next paragraph.  This old volume contains a detailed account of the day he didn’t open the door.  The level of detail makes it impossible to dismiss as simple coincidence and confirms that he let an amazing opportunity slip away by not opening that door. Reading further, he becomes intrigued by the tales and the places they describe.  No author is listed, so he asks a librarian for more information.  The results of her search and a strange invitation set him off on a quest that draws him into a magical new place. Here he will find the familiar and unexpected, discover the hopefulness of new-found love and the hopelessness of defeat.  At times he will be unsure of what is real and what isn’t, or if he can or even wants to resume his old life.  At times he won’t know what to do or who he can trust. He’ll encounter odd landscapes and seascapes, complicated relationships and changing alliances.  There’s romance, sacrifice and lots of doors and books.  Especially books and characters reading books.  There are also whispered stories. Stories are everything here.  There are legends of pirates and lost cities, narratives of love found and lost and stories about the guardians themselves.  The tales are interwoven so carefully around, through and into each other that at times I felt as if I were looking at a piece of carefully crafted art.  Not surprising as Morgenstern is a multi-media artist with an eye for detail. Some have said reading this novel was like playing an adventure puzzle game such as Myst.  Given how large a role puzzles and mysteries play in fables and fairytales that’s understandable.  There’s also the aforementioned game spinoff and the fact that Zachary’s thesis deals with gaming.  He’ll need top-notch gaming skills to deal with everything he encounters. In “The Starless Sea”, Morgenstern pays tribute to books, libraries and librarians.  The love of storytelling also plays a prominent role and readers may find themselves swept up in this strange yet familiar land of myths and dreamy fables.  One reviewer called it a love letter to the power of storytelling and I agree. Symbolism is an important recurring motif and the author doesn’t offer definitions, allowing each reader to interpret them in their own way.  A good choice because one of the symbols is the owl.  To some it is a sign of protection while for others it’s an omen of death.  It can also represent wisdom, silence, transition and the ability to see hidden things.  All of these play a role in the story. She follows in the footsteps of other authors of tales where children inadvertently discover hidden worlds, such as “Alice in Wonderland”, “Harry Potter” and “Narnia”.  She does so quite successfully and some feel she can join fiction masters such as Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett or H.R.R. Tolkein. I appreciate that she didn’t rush her second book and gave readers a well-thought out, involved and interlaced storyline. While this is an uplifting fantasy with short chapters and an ambitious scope, it may not suit those seeking a quick read or a fast-moving plot.  “The Starless Sea” has intricate connection between stories to contemplate, mysteries to puzzle out and symbolism to consider.  Take the time to immerse yourself into this improbable and fascinating place.  Morgenstern is able to provide rich descriptions of the sights, sounds and textures in this novel.  She’s taken the time to carefully create an intricate realm that is lush and complex.  It deserves to be savored.