Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Review by Lauren
source: personal copy; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: On a damp October night, beautiful young Ashley Cordova is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Though her death is ruled a suicide, veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath suspects otherwise. As he probes the strange circumstances surrounding Ashley’s life and death, McGrath comes face-to-face with the legacy of her father: the legendary, reclusive cult-horror-film director Stanislas Cordova—a man who hasn’t been seen in public for more than thirty years.
For McGrath, another death connected to this seemingly cursed family dynasty seems more than just a coincidence. Though much has been written about Cordova’s dark and unsettling films, very little is known about the man himself.
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.
Review: I’ve heard really good things about this one and I kept seeing it when I worked in a public library. Finally, I found a cheap copy to buy and I made the time this summer to read it. First, I have to say that I thought it would all end a bit different. Basically, I really liked this book until the end. It’s not bad, per se, but there is a place I thought the book was going to go and it didn’t. Sigh. Who knows though? It might really work for you!
This is a difficult novel to explain, so I’d say go with the summary and then dive in! It follows Scott McGrath, a reporter who has gone after filmmaker Stanislas Cordova in the past and lost his career. He’s now divorced and trying to take care of his young daughter when he can. After a few strange evenings though, Scott is back on the case though. Cordova’s 25 year old daughter has committed suicide and Scott wants to know why. Was their merit to his earlier investigation? Does Cordova ham children, and did he hurt his own daughter?
Now, to imagine Cordova, I always thought of him as a recluse Hitchcock in a way. Someone that makes darker films, that shines the light on the darker side of humanity. Except Cordova eventually goes into hiding and releases these films in underground locations. People say they are horrifying to view and that the people that act in them often disappear afterwards. What’s the truth? Is it all just a way of making people want to watch these films?
Along with Scott, he also investigates with two other young people, who have different reasons for wanting to know why Cordova’s daughter, Ashley, killed herself. These are things you learn as the book goes on.
What I absolutely loved about this book is that it includes newspaper articles, photos, message boards, etc. It’s a uniquely formatted book that really worked.
I read this book for the Unique Formatting Book Challenge I am currently hosting. Remember, if you have read/reviewed a Unique Format book this year, link up before Monday, August 1 and win $ to The Book Depository!
Adding this one to my TBR list – it sounds fabulous!
xx
I'm so glad you finally read it! Such a brilliant novel and it ended in such a way that left me wanting for more – to my annoyance. Lol.
I love when books pull in newspaper articles, photos and such. That definitely helps to make the story more compelling! This sounds like a great read.
This sounds fantastic! Adding to the TBR. 😀
Oh yes I love to have a format like that, it's always so much fun!
I've heard a lot about this one as well but I'm glad you enjoyed it! I have yet to pick it up but I'm bumping this up my TBR, right away!
I've seen this around but haven't read it yet. The formatting sounds interesting 🙂
Ooh, I love books with unique formatting! Like you, I've heard great things so now I'm really looking forward to this one 🙂
I'm going to look this up right now to add to my list, maybe even purchase soon.
I've been wanting to read this for awhile. Glad you liked it. I may have to give it a go soon.
Hmmm- sounds like an interesting book. I enjoy a good thriller- but it can be tough when the ending isn't what I expected or wanted. I do like to be surprised- and it sounds like the ending is a surprise. It's one to think about for sure. Great review. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
~Jess
You're doing well with the unique formatting although it's a shame the ending didn't quite work for you in this one.
Such a bummer when you get to the end and it just doesn't work, kind of ruins the read for you. Hope your next one is better.
That definitely helps to make the story more compelling! This sounds like a great read. thanks for your post Sakura Beauty