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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
In 2015, I heard this book mentioned so many times. It seemed like all the booktubers who had this book all decided to read it and talk about it at the same time. And then other people went out and bought it and read it and talked about it. Around Halloween, there seemed to be countless people adding this to their spooky TBRs.
This book had been on my radar for a while, but after hearing everyone rave about it this past year, I decided it was time to get down to it and finally give it a read.
This, of course, was aided by the fact that my lovely TBTB Secret Santa sent it to me (thanks again Lauren!) ! I surprised myself by reading it right away after I got it. And boy am I glad I did!
Night Film is the story of a disgraced reporter named Scott McGrath and his quest for redemption. He wants to clear his name and prove that he was right all along. If there is a bit of vengeance thrown in there, he’s okay with that too.
McGrath has been obsessed with an enigmatic and ubiquitous horror film director, Stanislas Cordova, whose life is completely shrouded in mystery. Cordova has made no appearances in over thirty years. No one really knows what he looks like. No one knows much of anything about him. But they know his films. McGrath thinks there’s something shady going on there, and he wants to know what it is. This had previously led him down the path of self destruction. But now he has some new leads.
Recently, Cordova’s daughter Ashley was found dead. McGrath takes it upon himself to investigate the circumstances of her death, and in so doing gets drawn back into Cordova’s web.
McGrath also finds himself in some unexpected company on his quest. He teams up with two strange youngsters who have an agenda of their own. Together they form a ragtag crew of misfits, each with their own secrets and motives.
From the publisher:
Driven by revenge, curiosity, and a need for the truth, McGrath, with the aid of two strangers, is drawn deeper and deeper into Cordova’s eerie, hypnotic world.
The last time he got close to exposing the director, McGrath lost his marriage and his career. This time he might lose even more.
Night Film, the gorgeously written, spellbinding new novel by the dazzlingly inventive Marisha Pessl, will hold you in suspense until you turn the final page.
My goodness. This book is one serious trip. Whenever I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it and longing to get back to it. The way it’s written and laid out, it’s a completely immersive experience. You really feel like you’re living it all with the characters and uncovering secrets with them.
Pessl does such an incredible job constructing the backstory for Cordova. You honestly start to believe that he is real. He must be. This history Pessl has created for him must be true. Because it feels so true. And completely crazy. I loved the way you sometimes couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t. Like I said: a total trip.
One of the best parts about this book is its multimedia aspect. Throughout the book there are photos, newspaper clippings, medical records, webpages, you name it. It really makes Cordova’s history, and McGrath’s investigation, come to life. And not only do you have all that, but there is also an app that has even more goodies! Like soundclips and extra records and things. It’s so amazing, guys. It draws you in even further to Cordova’s world.
I don’t want to tell you much more about this story because I think it’s much better if you just dive right in.
But seriously. READ THIS BOOK. That is, if you like insanely carefully, beautifully, wonderfully crafted thrillers. That totally mess with your head.
Originally posted on Fuelled by Fiction
This book had been on my radar for a while, but after hearing everyone rave about it this past year, I decided it was time to get down to it and finally give it a read.
This, of course, was aided by the fact that my lovely TBTB Secret Santa sent it to me (thanks again Lauren!) ! I surprised myself by reading it right away after I got it. And boy am I glad I did!
Night Film is the story of a disgraced reporter named Scott McGrath and his quest for redemption. He wants to clear his name and prove that he was right all along. If there is a bit of vengeance thrown in there, he’s okay with that too.
McGrath has been obsessed with an enigmatic and ubiquitous horror film director, Stanislas Cordova, whose life is completely shrouded in mystery. Cordova has made no appearances in over thirty years. No one really knows what he looks like. No one knows much of anything about him. But they know his films. McGrath thinks there’s something shady going on there, and he wants to know what it is. This had previously led him down the path of self destruction. But now he has some new leads.
Recently, Cordova’s daughter Ashley was found dead. McGrath takes it upon himself to investigate the circumstances of her death, and in so doing gets drawn back into Cordova’s web.
McGrath also finds himself in some unexpected company on his quest. He teams up with two strange youngsters who have an agenda of their own. Together they form a ragtag crew of misfits, each with their own secrets and motives.
From the publisher:
Driven by revenge, curiosity, and a need for the truth, McGrath, with the aid of two strangers, is drawn deeper and deeper into Cordova’s eerie, hypnotic world.
The last time he got close to exposing the director, McGrath lost his marriage and his career. This time he might lose even more.
Night Film, the gorgeously written, spellbinding new novel by the dazzlingly inventive Marisha Pessl, will hold you in suspense until you turn the final page.
My goodness. This book is one serious trip. Whenever I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it and longing to get back to it. The way it’s written and laid out, it’s a completely immersive experience. You really feel like you’re living it all with the characters and uncovering secrets with them.
Pessl does such an incredible job constructing the backstory for Cordova. You honestly start to believe that he is real. He must be. This history Pessl has created for him must be true. Because it feels so true. And completely crazy. I loved the way you sometimes couldn’t tell what was real and what wasn’t. Like I said: a total trip.
One of the best parts about this book is its multimedia aspect. Throughout the book there are photos, newspaper clippings, medical records, webpages, you name it. It really makes Cordova’s history, and McGrath’s investigation, come to life. And not only do you have all that, but there is also an app that has even more goodies! Like soundclips and extra records and things. It’s so amazing, guys. It draws you in even further to Cordova’s world.
I don’t want to tell you much more about this story because I think it’s much better if you just dive right in.
But seriously. READ THIS BOOK. That is, if you like insanely carefully, beautifully, wonderfully crafted thrillers. That totally mess with your head.
Originally posted on Fuelled by Fiction
I don't think I even got 10% into this book before dnf-ing. Which for me means skip to the end so I can see what happens. Unfortunately that was also wholly unsatisfying this time around.
There are many things I did not like about this book:
1. All of the (side) characters had the same tone of voice and spoke almost exactly the same.
2. The twists in this book were not what I was expecting and looking for.
3. It had so much potential especially with the multimedia aspect of it but it was way too CHUNKY.
1. All of the (side) characters had the same tone of voice and spoke almost exactly the same.
2. The twists in this book were not what I was expecting and looking for.
3. It had so much potential especially with the multimedia aspect of it but it was way too CHUNKY.
I haven't read a thriller/horror/mystery in so long so when this was getting good it had me.
But... then it lost itself and just - in the end - fell flat. Too many plot changes, loose ends, false connections, italics, etc. Too many characters were heavily focused on (admittedly making the story momentarily interesting) only to simply disappear. Also there were a lot of long winded eloquent and similarly toned monologues from characters who were supposed to have different personalities.
Pessl had an abundance of creative endings she could give us, but failed to give us a good ending. In an attempt to use the same plot devices as the fictional Cordova, Pessl failed to create the same sense of awe and wonderment; she just left me dissatisfied.
And those damn italics! Too many times I wanted to say "use your words, not your font."
But... then it lost itself and just - in the end - fell flat. Too many plot changes, loose ends, false connections, italics, etc. Too many characters were heavily focused on (admittedly making the story momentarily interesting) only to simply disappear. Also there were a lot of long winded eloquent and similarly toned monologues from characters who were supposed to have different personalities.
Pessl had an abundance of creative endings she could give us, but failed to give us a good ending. In an attempt to use the same plot devices as the fictional Cordova, Pessl failed to create the same sense of awe and wonderment; she just left me dissatisfied.
And those damn italics! Too many times I wanted to say "use your words, not your font."
This was a very different book. I liked the added enhancements of the app to go along with the book. Very odd and in some ways anti-climactic ending. Think this is one book where a film version would add to and not detract from the book.
Reading this book is like playing a video game, at least the games I remember from 20 years ago. Plot over character development to the extreme. But with a plot this fun I can overlook the overuse of italics.
I think this book would make a great movie.
I think this book would make a great movie.
Mehhhhh. I gave this thing 60 pages but I'm not compelled to read further. I find the main character unlikeable and uninteresting even though the author keeps hitting me over the head with "HE'S FLAWED and MESSED UP and INTERESTING!!!!!11!". Same with the enigmatic underground horror film director at the center of it...he is soooo mysterious and unknown and clearly messed up and *yawn* I do not care. Sorry!
Feels like a mediocre movie - one I'd enjoy watching for an hour or two, but not a story I want to devote a couple of weeks to reading.
Maybe I'm just not in the mood. I AM pretty picky about my thrillers. Other people seem to like it, so maybe I'll try it again sometime.
Feels like a mediocre movie - one I'd enjoy watching for an hour or two, but not a story I want to devote a couple of weeks to reading.
Maybe I'm just not in the mood. I AM pretty picky about my thrillers. Other people seem to like it, so maybe I'll try it again sometime.
This long book kept up a good pace however I was ultimately disappointed by the whole thing, what a waste of time. The story was unconvincing & unfulfilling. The writing engaged me but broke the show don't tell rule. I'm told these movies were really scary - when they seemed standard horror fare, I'm told that a character is special & charismatic but I feel & see none of it. In fact their depiction is incohesive. The protagonist is a cliched depiction of a middle aged journalist with an old fogey view of the world. Characters & trails lead nowhere. All is for immediate effect it seems, with a weak attempt to grapple for meaning when the plot isn't cutting it.