CHAPTERS 101-END!

[[deleted user]]

So, my copy of the book came with some discussion questions. I'll leave them here, you definitely don't need to answer them if you don't want to! But, just in case you do, here ya go:

1. Professor Wolfgang Beckman accuses Scott of having “no respect for the murk. For the blackly unexplained. The un-nail downable.” How does Scott’s perspective on mystery and the “blackly unexplained” change over the course of the novel?

2. Nora asks Scott, “How much evidence do you need before you wonder if it just might be real?” Do you think Scott’s skepticism is a mark of pride, as well as rationality, as Nora suggests? Why does he wish to believe in the curse after his conversation with Inez Gallo? How ready were you to believe in the curse?

3. Scott is relentless in his pursuit of the truth about Cordova. How far would you have gone, in his situation? Is there a point at which you would have stopped pursuing the truth?

4. Cordova’s films were filled with such horror and violence that, in many cases, they were banned from theaters. What is your perspective on violence—its role and its effects—in movies today?

5. Cordova’s philosophy is in many ways antithetical to our modern world, where transparency, over-sharing, and social media are the norm. Did you feel drawn to Cordova’s philosophy, or repelled, or both? Why?

6. Discuss how Scott advertently or inadvertently involved his daughter Samantha in his investigation. What did you think of the role she wound up playing, in his discovery?

7. How does your perception of Scott change, from the beginning to the end of the novel?

8. What did you think of the evolution of Nora and Scott’s relationship?

9. Both Scott and Nora reflect on the power of memory and story to alter the way we relate to our experiences. Scott says: “It was never the act itself but our own understanding of it that defeated us, over and over again.” Nora says: “The bad things that happen to you don’t have to mean anything at all.” Do you agree?

10. Beckman says “Every one of us has our box, a dark chamber stowing the thing that lanced our heart.” Consider Nora, Hopper, Ashley, Cordova, and Scott. What do their boxes contain, and in what ways do these secrets motivate them? Imprison them?

11. What do you think helped Hopper come to peace with Ashley’s memory?

12. New York City is just as much a character in the novel as any one person. How does your personal experience of, or relationship with, the city affect your reading?

13. How did the visual elements throughout the book enhance or impact your reading experience?

[payton]

Wow. The ending twist was definitely one that I’d had a suspicion about, like a disorder or some sort of medical explanation, but I had really wanted to believe the Devil’s Curse, lol. The ending departure of the characters was a sad moment, and I had wanted there to be a reunion when he went to the island. But he had started the investigation alone, I guess he finished it only. This book was fantastic, and I’m excited to read more of Marisha Pessl. Sovereign. Deadly. Perfect. 5/5 from me.

[[deleted user]]

Going off of a few of the questions above, I love Scott's journey through all of this. He goes from lone-wolf reporter to part of a Scooby-gang-esque kind of group and, you know, actually caring about people other than himself. But I really love the irony of Scott starting out skeptical about anything supernatural going on, then it turns out he was lowkey right. I think he learned an important lesson, though, there is room for the inexplicable in reality...I feel like that's what him finally encountering the REAL Cordova was about.

The book sets you up perfectly to be blind-sided by the twist/reveal, though!! That slideshow article about Cordova and the mystery surrounding himself and Ashley prime you to automatically buy into the supernatural, just like Nora and Hopper. I can honestly say I never once thought there was a rational explanation for everything until that reveal.

I did love the idea that Scott entertains -- for a short while anyway -- that he is in a Cordova film himself. It felt very In the Mouth of Madness (1994) and I LOVED that.

Pessl did a fantastic job of setting up the mystery and keeping us in the dark until SHE decided to reveal the truth. We were completely at her mercy the whole time. Brilliant.

5/5 from me!

[Natali]

ok. I have a lot to say, but don't know how well I can sort through my thoughts!

I started this on Saturday, fully expecting that I would not finish it in March. However, between the physical and audio I could not put it down, I devoured it. I felt so deep in the story that Cordova was constantly on my mind alongside Scott.

The layers of detail Marisha Pessl put into this book is astounding - Anyone else want separate books for the making of each film?
I know I will be re-reading this a few more times to truly pick up on everything throughout. Although not for a while (my brain needs to rest after that whirlwind).

The evolution of Scott from someone who is strictly fact based, to embracing the supernatural was brilliant and believable in line with where his investigation takes him. And then to flip it and make you question what was reality, what was real or imagined ..... or what was staged? I was fully there with Scott in the notion that he somehow was actually in a Cordova film! I guess that is the mystery of Cordova, is he real? Is he a piece of art? A myth? Who or what is he?

I hope that Scott's life continues on the path it has started at the end of the book, that he keeps his friendship with Nora and Hopper, and he continues to be the dad that Sam needs. The ending could go either way, but I certainly hope he doesn't get caught up in Cordovas crazy life any further.

Nora and Scott were great additions to the team, and served to be extensions of Scott himself. Both seemly imaginary in their own way, floating in and out as they pleased.

Absolutely 5/5, it was a ride and I would love to revisit it.