By Nightfall Audiobook By Michael Cunningham cover art

By Nightfall

A Novel

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By Nightfall

By: Michael Cunningham
Narrated by: Hugh Dancy
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Peter and Rebecca Harris: mid-forties denizens of Manhattan's SoHo, nearing the apogee of committed careers in the arts—he a dealer, she an editor. With a spacious loft, a college-age daughter in Boston, and lively friends, they are admirable, enviable contemporary urbanites with every reason, it seems, to be happy. Then Rebecca's much younger look-alike brother, Ethan (known in the family as Mizzy, "the mistake"), shows up for a visit. A beautiful, beguiling twenty-three-year-old with a history of drug problems, Mizzy is wayward, at loose ends, looking for direction. And in his presence, Peter finds himself questioning his artists, their work, his career—the entire world he has so carefully constructed.

Like his legendary, Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, The Hours, Michael Cunningham's masterly new novel is a heartbreaking look at the way we live now. Full of shocks and aftershocks, it makes us think and feel deeply about the uses and meaning of beauty and the place of love in our lives.

 Literary Fiction World Literature Fiction Genre Fiction

Critic reviews

<p>“Emmy Award nominee Hugh Dancy well captures Peter's melancholy…Cunningham's popularity generally and his exploration of universal middle-class dreams and fears make this a good choice for book clubs” —<i>Library Journal</i><br><br>“What is signaled in print through the use of design elements, narrator Hugh Dancy does through voice: A change in inflection, a slight questioning, a hesitation, or an increase in speed alerts the listener to a switch from stream of consciousness to public dialogue, from narrative description to personal conversation. Dancy's reading brings authenticity to Peter's emotional journey, saving it from self-indulgence.” —<i>Audiofile</i></p>

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I found this book shortly after I watched a television show featuring Hugh Dancy and wanted to discover more of his content, but wow this book all by itself was fantastic. The ending is so frustrating, it’s an ending you will continue to think about even after you’ve moved on with your life. I was unable to resist listening to the book whenever I had the free time to do so. I had no idea what was going to happen and was constantly eager for the words to fall out of Hugh’s mouth. Truly a fantastic work.

Came for Hugh Dancy, stayed for the storyline

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I have issues with it for sure, mainly the fact that the love interest is referred to as a shortened version of 'Mistake' the entire novel made it feel like a fake infatuation of it all. the age gap felt gross and I saw the ending miles away, and I did not sympathize with most of the characters' first-world problems. an amazing performance if not much else.

Here for Hugh, surprised by some of the depth

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Would you listen to By Nightfall again? Why?

I loved By Nightfall, and would absolutely read it again. The book captured me very quickly, and surprised me with its eloquence, I've set on to read other books by the author. Hugh Dancy narrates the book wonderfully and was an adage to the experience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved the main character, Peter, but more so was fascinated with the impressions left of his brother, Michael, whom, though long-passed, is a heavy presence in the novel.

Which character – as performed by Hugh Dancy – was your favorite?

Hugh Dancy's embodiment of Peter, the main character and narrator, brought the man into dimension alongside the writer's eloquent depiction. His narration made the character feel real and fluid.

Who was the most memorable character of By Nightfall and why?

Mizzy, the younger brother of Peter's wife, Rebbecca, is the main focus of Peter and by far the most memorable character in By Nightfall, if not the main character. His personality is presented to us flatly at the beginning of the novel, but blossoms throughout into our enchantment as well as Peter's, our obsessions with him growing alongside each other.

Great Novel, Great Narration

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Great narrator. Story line was thin and predictable. Needed more backstory on the intimacy and aftermath

Good narration, thin story

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Michael Cunningham, call me. I just want to talk. I just want to know how you do it.

Literally the best book.

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