Night Film

A Novel

By: Marisha Pessl

Narrated by: Jake Weber

Length: 23 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Brilliant, haunting, breathtakingly suspenseful, Night Film is a superb literary thriller by the New York Times best-selling author of the "blockbuster debut" (People) Special Topics in Calamity Physics.

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 30 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.

Night Film, the gorgeously written, spellbinding new novel by the dazzlingly inventive Marisha Pessl, will hold you in suspense to the final minute.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Marisha Pessl (P)2013 Random House Audio

Good Beginning

NIGHT FILM begins fast paced and intriguing. It stays that way but about halfway through I noticed that the action was decreasing as the protagonists thoughts and philosophy were focused on more. Two thirds of the way through the book I began fast forwarding and didn't miss a thing except more of the protagonist's dramatic monologue.
By the time I reached the end of the book I kept waiting for a twist for something to lift up the story and create a compelling climax and satisfying end. It was painful right up to the last minute because that never happens.
Pessel is a promising writer. Once she figures out how not to get lost in her own story she'll produce a robust story from beginning to end.

A wild ride of a story!

Couldn't snap out if it when I wasn't reading it - absolutely captivating, mysterious and full of heart.

Wonderful Thrill Ride!

What did you love best about Night Film?

The main character, Scott McGrath was great. You become drawn into his life and begin to feel all the emotions he is relaying.

What other book might you compare Night Film to and why?

None, this was by far the best one I've read.

What about Jake Weber’s performance did you like?

He did an excellent job changing voices for each character. I will be looking for other books that he is narrating.

If you could take any character from Night Film out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Ashley Cordova - she is the mystery that everyone is trying to solve throughout the book.

I loved it

I found the story, characters and narrator all fascinating. I didn't know what to expect when I bought it but I was immediately wrapped 100% into the story.
I thought it was so good that I have already purchased another Pessl story.

Loved every minute!

Usually an audiobook of this length would take me about a month to listen to, but I listened to this in 3 days. I carried my iPod with me everywhere so I could listen at any given chance. I even went out and bought the physical book.

I got this book because I was craving a mystery similar to the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith. This was perfect. If you enjoyed those books, I would suggest this.

Jake Weber was a superb narrator. His performance was so good I could easily get lost in the story.

I would read any book by Marisha Pessl and listen to any book narrated by Jake Weber.

Brilliant!

I was riveted the entire time, it pulled me right in and would not let go. When I reached the last few chapters, I didn't want it to end! The narration was absolutely stellar, I connected with each character's voice and will be looking for more works by this author and more books narrated by Jake Weber.

Addicting

What did you love best about Night Film?

I never really knew where the story was going to take me. I found it to be highly addicting!

What other book might you compare Night Film to and why?

I have no idea.

What about Jake Weber’s performance did you like?

Jake Weber was brilliant! He made the book very enjoyable.

If you could take any character from Night Film out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Nora. I'd love to get to know her better.

Any additional comments?

Wish I hadn't waiting so long to listen and now I am sad it's over.

On the top of my very long list

I read a lot and use audible often. I originally bought this book on my kindle (print version) after reading an article stating it was similar to House of leaves. I still hadn't read HOLs because I had to wait for it to ship but was excited to read it because all of the craziness I heard surrounding it. I started reading Night Film and did not put it down so much to the point that I ordered it here despite already having it so I could listen when I was unable to read. House of leaves had a good story potentials but it really was just a book of madness. NF is nothing like that. it is mystery that the reader gets to see what the main character sees, police reports, photos, handwritten notes.you are right there with him the entire time. The characters are strong and likable. It is also a thriller with borderline horror. I would not be suprised if this is made into a high budget film but a giid movie from a book like Silence of the lambs. Do yourself a favor if mystery/thriller is your favorite and get this before it goes Hollywood.

Spoilers

this review contains spoilers so don't continue reading unless you finish the book. in terms of the actual story I found this book to have a lot of potential but in my mind somewhat fail in the end. I think it would have been a much stronger story had it ended without the final act. that being with the more realistic ending. in it's more mundane parts, which includes the Final Act I found the book to be a traditional story of a hard-nosed investigative reporter who is the realest but begins to believe in the Supernatural and is only able to get answers to his questions once he becomes a believer. the stronger parts of the story suggest that myth and Fable have a powerful influence on the human mind and we adapt objective reality to fit the stories that we we think provide more or better meaning for our lives. so despite to failings of the last section of the story, the audiobook is worth the time especially since the narrator does a great job.

VERY talented writer...EXCELLENT narrator, but...

Where does Night Film rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Quality of writing was terrific, but it would be difficult to grade it among the volume of audiobooks listened to. This is usually not my genre, but so glad I took the chance.

Would you be willing to try another book from Marisha Pessl? Why or why not?

YES. Marisha Pessi is one of the most talented writers enjoyed in a long time, so I will follow her future writing. However, this story was in dire need of a good editor. Easily, this book could have been multiplied into three books.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to name, but it was the intensity and the insight into the human thought process that stopped me in my tracks. Ms. Pessi has the ability to express in words so accurately what we are thinking as we travel alongside the characters.

If you could rename Night Film, what would you call it?

I would never try to rename an author's work.

Any additional comments?

This author has such talent that it didn't bother me her book was a bit overwritten. Her prose alone is worth the read. Jake Webber was simply superb in his narration.