Night Film

by Marisha Pessl
Night Film cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Crime
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7726
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781448165834
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2013-08-20
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Night Film is a gripping literary thriller that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. Investigative journalist Scott McGrath becomes obsessed with the death of Ashley Cordova, daughter of legendary but reclusive filmmaker Stanislas Cordova. As McGrath digs deeper, he uncovers a series of bizarre and unsettling events that challenge his perception of reality. The novel explores themes of obsession, the power of storytelling, and the thin line between truth and illusion. /n/n The book is praised for its atmospheric tension and intricate plotting, making it a standout in the thriller genre. It's a chilling exploration of the dark side of fame and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The novel's complex characters and twisting narrative make it a compelling read for fans of psychological suspense.

Reviews
Literary Elephant · 2018-07-16
positive 4.00

The book is rich in detail and eerie metaphors, with heart-pounding action scenes. The level of detail is particularly praised.

The reviewer was impressed by the rich and eerie detail in Night Film, as well as the evocative metaphors and heart-pounding action scenes. They highlight the level of detail as a standout feature, suggesting that the book is well-crafted and engaging. The overall impression is that the book is a compelling read, with a lot of depth and excitement.

Quick quotes

    The level of detail is rich and eerie, the metaphors evocative, the action scenes heart-pounding.

    The book is well-crafted and engaging.

    Night Film is a compelling read.

The Guardian · 2013-09-05
mixed 2.50

The book has some unique and eerie scenes, but it is not consistently good. The secret club scene is particularly notable.

The reviewer found that Night Film has its moments, particularly a scene set at a secret club called Oubliette, which they describe as nicely weird with a bit of an Eyes Wide Shut feel. However, they also note that the book is not unremittingly bad, suggesting that while it has some strong points, it is not entirely successful. The overall impression is that the book has some interesting elements but falls short in other areas.

Quick quotes

    This is not an unremittingly bad book.

    There is a nicely weird scene set at a secret club called Oubliette (the feel here is a bit Eyes Wide Shut).

    The book is not entirely successful.

Goodreads · 2013-08-01
excellent 5.00

The book is original, captivating, and deserving of a 5-star review. It is praised for its uniqueness and ability to captivate the reader.

The reviewer was thoroughly impressed by Night Film, calling it original and captivating. They were so taken with the book that they gave it a 5-star review, which is a significant endorsement. The reviewer suggests that the book is a standout read, with a lot to offer in terms of uniqueness and captivation. The overall impression is that the book is a must-read, with a lot of depth and originality.

Quick quotes

    Night Film is original, captivating, and so deserving of a 5-star review.

    The book is a standout read.

    It is a must-read with a lot of depth and originality.

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