By Nightfall
By Nightfall
Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
New York City • Contemporary
2010
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham follows Peter and Rebecca, a couple entrenched in Manhattan's art world, as their lives are upended by the arrival of Ethan, Rebecca's younger brother and a recovering drug addict, leading Peter to grapple with complex feelings of attraction, shame, and self-doubt. The novel explores themes of sexual fluidity while reflecting on strained family dynamics and personal identity. This book contains material involving substance dependence.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
10,907 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Michael Cunningham’s By Nightfall is praised for its elegant prose and deep exploration of identity and desire. Reviewers admire its introspective narrative and compelling character study. However, some critiques highlight a slow pace and lack of plot momentum. Overall, it's seen as a thought-provoking but divisive read, appealing mainly to fans of literary fiction.
Who Should Read By Nightfall?
Readers who enjoy introspective literary fiction like The Hours by Michael Cunningham or The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides will appreciate By Nightfall. Ideal for those captivated by deep character studies, midlife reflections, and the complexities of art and beauty in contemporary settings.
10,907 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
By Nightfall is a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham, who is known for his intricate exploration of themes like identity, relationships, and existential contemplation.
The novel takes place predominantly in the vibrant and culturally rich setting of New York City, which significantly influences the characters and their interactions.
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Michael Cunningham's earlier novel, The Hours, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1999 and was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.
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256
Novel • Fiction
New York City • Contemporary
2010
Adult
18+ years
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