The most obvious unusual thing about this novel is its use of different media. Web pages, video, texts. Can easily see it being a multimedia experience (or something)
Second thought. House of Leaves meets Flicker.
Terrific opening chapter. Trailed by a girl in red coat. Spooky reverse Don't Look Now.
'Everyone has a Cordova story, whether they like it or not.'
The opening multimedia extracts set up Stanislas Cordova as a controversial reclusive film director. His horror films are underground and have a huge cult following.
Cordova's daughter is dead. Disgraced journalist Scott McGrath's career was ruined when he falsely accused Cordova of crimes against children.
McGrath sees foul play in Ashley's death
The adversaries are set
A tape worm that's eaten its own tail
The events inside the asylum make the novel begin to feel like Stephen King. More pedestrian but richer language.
The events after the asylum, are very creepy. The fear level rises and my curiosity piqued further. What is going on?
Huge isolated spooky house. Brings to mind the shining. Secretive film director with academic following. Kubrick?
Death surrounds Cordova.
The secret Internet. From my cosy suburban existence it seems like an exoctic idea.
Not sure it works that well in the book. This is where a fully interactive edition of the book would be great. The white on black pages of that signify use of 'The Blackboards' don't feel grubby enough. The revelations aren't that interesting either.
Ashley was a world renowned pianist. Live classical music described as 'Frankenstein resuscitating the monster.' This statement is interesting in the context of the novel.
Whenever the novel seems to be waning. It's suddenly dragged screaming back to the edge. The witchcraft segments are creepy in the extreme and reinvigorated my interest.
The space around Cordova distorts...the speed of light slackens, information gets scrambled, rational minds grow illogical
This quote sums up the point of the novel. The shadowy figure of Cordova. A living legend. Is it he who distorts, or his legend? If you start to question everything you do, very little makes sense. Cordova's films make us question.
Never heard of devil's bridges. An amazing concept steeped in fairy tale tradition. Even now it's one that could launch countless stories.
'Alliances with the devil often manifest themselves in virtuosic mastery of an instrument'
Evidence of the occult is mounting but is there a more innocent explanation?
'FOR THE GRIMMEST SITUATION ONLY'
The characters are now sucked in completely by the occult connection. With 200 pages to go the suspense is huge. The true nature of the novel still yet to be revealed.
The weirdness refuses to abate. Pessl has built her novel on shifting sands. You have to question everything from here on in.
A broken watch freezes time. Time on film sets freezes reality. A faulty compass alters space.
'For the prison with the impenetrable lock is your own head'
The entire story seems to be a conceit to allow McGrath to understand himself.
McGrath visits an expert in Cordova's film. A professor of film studies. They discuss the themes and motifs that are constantly present in his films.
If you're the first person who appears in the scene after the Murad cigarettes, it means your marked... You're fated. You're doomed...'
There are pages of this and I loved it. The hidden things in films and books have great appeal.
The analysis of theme and motif put me back in mind of Don't Look Know, a film laden with imagery.
Can't say a great deal about the end of the novel, as it would reveal too much.
This is a novel shot in greys. The truth malleable at every point. The conclusion maybe unsatisfying to some, but it is without fitting for a Cordova film. Whether it was deliberate coincidence, or the picture McGrath created because that's what he wants to see, is for the reader to decide.
Much like Calamity Physics, Night Film is a deep, long occasionally dull novel. But the pay-off as things slip into place is worth the effort.
It's a strong meditation on the nature of reality, and the human desire to find answers. Or it may be one long shaggy dog's tail.
A deep dark noir that pays homage to classics of the genre. This is a book that will bear repeated rereads, and is sure to gain a cult following.