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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Meh. This book has an interesting premise, but the execution wasn't so great. It dragged in a lot of places and the characters were cliches. The ending was too neat and didn't fit well with the story.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Can't say much without spoiling. If you're a fan of horror movies, suspense and/or Stephen King this one is for you. To me, it read like it was written to be made into a movie. Liked the authors use of web pages and newspaper articles, that was refreshing.
4.50 or 4.75 stars
There were definitely some things that I thought were quite problematic, but it was still a great book. Though someone needs to question the author on her overuse of italics because it doesn't make sense and is kind of annoying sometimes.
There were definitely some things that I thought were quite problematic, but it was still a great book. Though someone needs to question the author on her overuse of italics because it doesn't make sense and is kind of annoying sometimes.
The truth is a wild, squirrelly thing; it can get slimy and morph into odd, terrible shapes that make it difficult, even impossible, to hold, yet it reaches deep inside and grabs ahold of you in such a way that you have no choice but to chase after it
Scott McGrath thought he knew the truth, about Cordova, about Ashley, about the world around him, and yet it al turned out to be a dark fiction, some shrouded fantasy thought up to distract him - a Night Film, if you will- from what is true.
I haven’t read much noir, but after finishing this book in a whirlwind few days, i have a new appreciation and, more importantly, a ravenous hunger for more.
Please read this book; it scared me, made me weep tears of joy AND sorrow and taught that whatever you think is accurate and real, there’s always another step, hidden just below where the lantern light gives out; keep going through and it can be more rewarding than anything you’ve ever known.
Scott McGrath thought he knew the truth, about Cordova, about Ashley, about the world around him, and yet it al turned out to be a dark fiction, some shrouded fantasy thought up to distract him - a Night Film, if you will- from what is true.
I haven’t read much noir, but after finishing this book in a whirlwind few days, i have a new appreciation and, more importantly, a ravenous hunger for more.
Please read this book; it scared me, made me weep tears of joy AND sorrow and taught that whatever you think is accurate and real, there’s always another step, hidden just below where the lantern light gives out; keep going through and it can be more rewarding than anything you’ve ever known.
This guy? He kinda sucks but add his two little baby detectives and you’ll want a series of them. Solving junk, rich eating the rich. Witchcraft! Night Film’s a thriller slash mystery and I’m quickly looking over my shoulder and that’s hard for a book to do I love it. But Be Careful! When they get to Ashley’s room and that woman?? The antique shop with Sam he’s a dumb asshole. Just go get ice creams it’s that easy!
You’re not sure you’ll solve everything but it’s that line “keep looking for the mermaids.” That made me cry. And that’s the heart, sovereign deadly perfect.
You’re not sure you’ll solve everything but it’s that line “keep looking for the mermaids.” That made me cry. And that’s the heart, sovereign deadly perfect.
This book got worse and worse as it went on...and it really went on and on. The characters and voices were flat, the plotting thin and meandering, and overall the story told you it was supposed to be enthralling without actually being so. My best guess is that Pessl's editor ran up against a publishing deadline before the rest of the (much-needed) work could be done.
I wanted to love "Night Film" and I wanted to love it hard. "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" was an astounding debut novel, and I was excited to read Pessl's follow-up.
The idea behind "Night Film" is great. The idea of Cordova, the notions of these night films, and the noir-ness of the potential detectiv-ing had me dedicated to this novel. The references, or "references" depending on your viewpoint, that littered "Special Topics" make their return in "Night Film" in the form of underground internet groups, lost photographs, and news articles pertaining to the novel's characters. The extent to which Pessl set out to make this novel feel "real" was far-reaching and widely appreciated.
I did, however, lose some commitment once the amateurs that assist Scott with his journey join the story line. Additionally, the feel of the detective work felt, at times, a little pop-thriller (ala Patterson which, if you know me, isn't a compliment).
The negatives aside, however, the ending has me puzzled. From my viewpoint, there are two rationales for how the book ends; one rationale would leave me remembering Pessl to be the fantastic author I thought she was after "Special Topics," while the other would be a bit of a disappointment. I'll discuss it with you once you've read this book; I hate leaving spoilers in reviews.
All in all - I'm back in line to pick up Pessl's next book, whenever and if ever it may come.
The idea behind "Night Film" is great. The idea of Cordova, the notions of these night films, and the noir-ness of the potential detectiv-ing had me dedicated to this novel. The references, or "references" depending on your viewpoint, that littered "Special Topics" make their return in "Night Film" in the form of underground internet groups, lost photographs, and news articles pertaining to the novel's characters. The extent to which Pessl set out to make this novel feel "real" was far-reaching and widely appreciated.
I did, however, lose some commitment once the amateurs that assist Scott with his journey join the story line. Additionally, the feel of the detective work felt, at times, a little pop-thriller (ala Patterson which, if you know me, isn't a compliment).
The negatives aside, however, the ending has me puzzled. From my viewpoint, there are two rationales for how the book ends; one rationale would leave me remembering Pessl to be the fantastic author I thought she was after "Special Topics," while the other would be a bit of a disappointment. I'll discuss it with you once you've read this book; I hate leaving spoilers in reviews.
All in all - I'm back in line to pick up Pessl's next book, whenever and if ever it may come.