What a trip! I just finished Night Film by Marisha Pessl, and it was a fantastic novel with which to start the year - a good fall/winter read. I read Special Topics in Calamity Physics last year, and I thoroughly enjoyed that novel, too, but this is a much different type of mystery.
Without further ado, read this if:
- You are looking for a unique and compelling page-turner with intellect and some depth.
- You enjoy novels in which a city, here, New York, is a major character.
- You are looking for a read that matches the weather, and you live where it is winter now, and winter where you are is cold and grey or brown.
- You are a fan of quirky characters and caricatures and intricate plot lines.
- You've had Prufrock whispering in the back of your head somewhere since that fateful day in high school.
- Sometimes your theme song is "A Night Like This" by The Cure.
Pass on this for now if:
- You are looking for a slow-paced saga about quilting.
- You can't read yet another story centering on a stunningly beautiful genius misunderstood girl because without the whole beauty thing no one would give a damn. In fact, most of the women with multiple appearances are apparently drop dead gorgeous. Except the ones that are cartoonishly ugly. There really is no in-between.
- You can't help but think New York needs to get over itself already. Or the people that live there need to stop acting as if it's a badge of honor to 'survive' New York. It's a city. It's 'survivable.' People come and go. Talking of Michelangelo.
- You would just die if the smartphone app doesn't work seamlessly.
- You need everything wrapped up and tied neatly with a bow at the end.
- Your current theme song is "Walking on Sunshine."
Despite my few misgivings, I would completely recommend reading this novel as soon as you have the chance. It might even make a good book club read, honestly. There is plenty of fodder for discussion.
