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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Night film was.. I don’t know?
I wanted the ending to be that horror movie mystery twist but in the end I felt like the narrator satisfied and yet dissatisfied I was satisfied that the mystery had been solved and that the conclusion wasn’t as supernatural as suspected but I was dissatisfied that it wasn’t the big murder reveal I craved. I wanted it to be sensationalised plot twisty conclusion that it was leading up to be. I feel let down by the conclusion but I think that is reflective of the narrator as well whose whole roller coaster led to his satisfaction. I guess a satisfying ending is different for everyone and I enjoyed most of the book except for the end. Which is bizarre feeling.
I wanted the ending to be that horror movie mystery twist but in the end I felt like the narrator satisfied and yet dissatisfied I was satisfied that the mystery had been solved and that the conclusion wasn’t as supernatural as suspected but I was dissatisfied that it wasn’t the big murder reveal I craved. I wanted it to be sensationalised plot twisty conclusion that it was leading up to be. I feel let down by the conclusion but I think that is reflective of the narrator as well whose whole roller coaster led to his satisfaction. I guess a satisfying ending is different for everyone and I enjoyed most of the book except for the end. Which is bizarre feeling.
This is probably closer to a 4.5 but that could be because I stopped reading it for two weeks when I forgot to bring it with me to Scotland. But this book is so addicting and mysterious I loved it! I'm not sure yet if I'm content with the ending but I was very happy with this book overall
I...have no idea what to rate this. On one hand, Night Film kept me at the edge of my seat for at least 70% of the book. On the other, the italics literally drove me nuts. This book would have been insanely good if it weren't for the fact that every other word of dialogue was italicized for emphasis. No, seriously. This was a 664-page book and if I took a shot everytime someone spoke in italics, I'd be dead of alcohol poisoning by page 5. Not to mention, all of the characters had the same voice and spoke with the same amount of emphasis, it was almost like they were all the same person.
However, the plot was riveting, Cardova and his world were insane to learn about, and I really was enthralled despite the italics. So, I'm rating this a four stars and we'll see how it goes lmao
However, the plot was riveting, Cardova and his world were insane to learn about, and I really was enthralled despite the italics. So, I'm rating this a four stars and we'll see how it goes lmao
The thing that I originally liked about this book became stale very quickly. It could have definitely been helped with being cut down by about 300 pages. It was clearly well detailed and thought out but perhaps a little TOO much. The ending was lack-luster for me and too many sub plot points that really didn't have to be there and did not do anything for the story. If anything, it took away from the actual plot given in the synopsis that I would have loved to have seen more of. The mixed media aspect was very interesting however. This one just wasn't for me.
Without a doubt a hugely imaginative book that had a good story and really used various design techniques - like newspaper stories and clippings - well. And while I enjoyed reading Night Film it wasn't the gripping, tight thriller I'd hoped.
Thoroughly different in tone and style to Special Topics in Calamity Physics, which for me was a great pity.
Thoroughly different in tone and style to Special Topics in Calamity Physics, which for me was a great pity.
This book is a $28 gimmick and huge disappointment from Marisha Pessl after her awesome debut so long ago. She tries way too hard at Noir, as it's over-written with cheesy descriptions and metaphors. I found myself not caring about any of the main characters, with their interactions and relationships contrived at best. The story vascillates between paranormal devil worship and what is supposed to be hard-line investigative research, which apparently is meant to envelop the reader in intruiging mystery and page-turning suspense. I found myself trudging through overwrought melodrama just to get to the point - which we never really reach. The mystery is somewhat solved, but predictable halfway (or less) through the telling.
The book itself is handsomely published. A heafty hardback with thick paper. It's fake newspaper articles and webpage screen shots start out as something fresh and interesting, but ultimately feel tedious and an attempt to distract the reader from an otherwise poorly crafted Noir.
I gave it two stars based on a couple chapters/sections where Pessl's previously seen talent shine through. But they are few are far between.
If you've read her first book, don't ruin the impression by falling for the hype with this one. Skip it, and hope her next venture restores the reputation her debut.
The book itself is handsomely published. A heafty hardback with thick paper. It's fake newspaper articles and webpage screen shots start out as something fresh and interesting, but ultimately feel tedious and an attempt to distract the reader from an otherwise poorly crafted Noir.
I gave it two stars based on a couple chapters/sections where Pessl's previously seen talent shine through. But they are few are far between.
If you've read her first book, don't ruin the impression by falling for the hype with this one. Skip it, and hope her next venture restores the reputation her debut.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is the mixed-media murder mystery of my dreams and yet the main character is INSUFFERABLY ANNOYING and makes so many horrible decisions!! It was still a fun entertaining time, thats what I want from reading, to be entertained.
I read this for the first time with my physical copy in 2020 maybe? But I reread it with the audiobook from the library in 2022 and that pushed me to write this review as I'm updating my goodreads in early 2024.
I read this for the first time with my physical copy in 2020 maybe? But I reread it with the audiobook from the library in 2022 and that pushed me to write this review as I'm updating my goodreads in early 2024.
after having to drop this book reading a few pages each time, i finally finished it. and yes, as it is already proclaimed to be it is ONE OF A KIND - genre-bending and one that consumes you whole.
probably took the longest time - over the period of a month to read it but it was constantly on my mind. INEXPLICABLE - until you experience it yourself.
probably took the longest time - over the period of a month to read it but it was constantly on my mind. INEXPLICABLE - until you experience it yourself.