The Night Circus Characters

Celia Bowen is an illusionist with Le Cirque des Rêves, the titular night circus; her performances in the circus are part of her competition with her fellow magician, Marco Alisdair. Celia met her… read analysis of Celia Bowen

Marco Alisdair works as the assistant to Chandresh Lefevre, the original organizer of Le Cirque des Rêves. He is also involved in a high-stakes competition with Celia Bowen, orchestrated by their guardians… read analysis of Marco Alisdair

Known to many of the other characters in the novel as the mysterious man in the gray suit, Mr. A.H. is a magician, as well as Hector Bowen’s greatest rival. He and Hector have… read analysis of Alexander / Mr. A.H.

Known publicly as Prospero the Enchanter, Hector Bowen is a magician who has made his living performing for audiences that do not understand that his magic is real, and not just a skillful illusion or… read analysis of Hector Bowen / Prospero the Enchanter

Trained as a clairvoyant and fortune-teller, Isobel Martin becomes part of Le Cirque des Rêves via her relationship with Marco Alisdair. They meet for the first time in London, when Marco realizes that he… read analysis of Isobel Martin

A mysterious and very skilled contortionist, Tsukiko arrives unannounced at the home of Chandresh Lefevre to perform for the theater producer, and is immediately hired to join his new project, Le Cirque des Rêves… read analysis of Tsukiko

Clockmaker Herr Thiessen was commissioned by Ethan Burris to design a dreamlike clock to stand in the center of Le Cirque des Rêves. Thiessen designs the clock without knowing where it will be used… read analysis of Friedrick Thiessen

An engineer and one of the original organizers of Le Cirque des Rêves, and one of the few people who know about the competition between Marco and Celia. In fact, it is through… read analysis of Ethan Barris

Sisters and librarians who will only talk about their past when intoxicated, Tara and Lainie Burgess are original organizers of Le Cirque des Rêves, though their role in the project is unclear, beyond Chandresh… read analysis of Tara Burgess

Lainie is one of the original organizers of Le Cirque des Rêves, along with her sister, Tara. The sisters’ role in the project is somewhat hazy, though Chandresh Lefevre claims that they are… read analysis of Lainie Burgess

Winston Aidan Murray and Penelope Aislin Murray, better known as Widget and Poppet, were born in Le Cirque des Rêves on opening night. The time and place of their birth somehow endowed them with supernatural… read analysis of Widget Murray

Winston Aidan Murray and Penelope Aislin Murray, better known as Widget and Poppet, were born in Le Cirque des Rêves on opening night. Poppet can see the future, as the time and place of the… read analysis of Poppet Murray

A young boy from Concord, Massachusetts, Bailey becomes obsessed with Le Cirque des Rêves and eventually becomes the new proprietor after Celia and Marco disappear into the bonfire and can no longer run the circus… read analysis of Bailey Clarke

A loyal fan of the circus and member of the rêveur community, whom Bailey meets at a train station while trying to catch up with the circus. Victor and fellow rêveurs Lorena and Elizabeth take… read analysis of Victor

A member of the rêveurs and a friend of Victor and Lorena’s, whom Bailey meets on the train to Boston. Welcoming him to the group, Elizabeth tells Bailey that a rêveur is simply someone… read analysis of Elizabeth