Review: Night Film

Night Film

By Marisha Pessl

Random House August 2013

599 pages

From the library

Scott McGrath ruined his journalism career chasing the elusive filmmaker Stanislas Cordova. Cordova makes films about the darkest sides of humanity and the films are only viewed in secret underground screenings. Scott couldn't find anything amiss before but when Cordova's daughter is discovered dead, he believes it was not a suicide. With two strangers at his side, he descends into the dark world of Cordova's films and the Cordova family itself.

This may be one of the creepiest books ever written. It's certainly one of the most atmospheric stories I have ever read. I don't read a lot of scary books, mostly because I'm not a fan of that feeling of perpetually looking over my shoulder. But Pessl's book is so amazing that it totally makes up for the feelings of paranoia I had while reading it. She has not just written a story. Instead she has created characters that seem to jump off the pages, a whole genre of films, and some very dedicated groupies. The novel is interspersed with photos, news stories, and internet pages. It's almost as if you have stepped into another world - one that is very similar to ours, but darker, creepier, and more dangerous. 

While the characters are very well-written and the writing is effortless, the real star of this book is the story. There are twists and turns on every page and red herrings all over the place. This is a lengthy book, but it doesn't feel that way. Like all great books, this one has many layers. This is a horror story, but it's also an examination of obsession and the dark side of fan culture.

Marisha Pessl is an incredibly gifted writer. Many readers are raving about this book and it deserves every bit of praise. Pessl doesn't just write a book - she creates a new world with its own inhabitants and culture. It's been seven years since she published a book and the wait was well worth it.

*I read this book as a part of Readers Imbibing Peril. Check it out here.