- Hardcover: 215 pages
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (1 Jan 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0679446672
- ISBN-13: 978-0679446675
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 15 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,335,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
From this prodigiously talented writer, a stunningly original "life" of F. W. Murnau, the German director.
In the history of cinema, this novel's protagonist and subject ranks as a founding father, not least for his legendary horror film, Nosferatu. But here he is revealed as a hermetic genius who turns, tragically, against himself, becoming in a sense his own vampire. What shadows Shepard's Murnau--through the airfields of the Great War to cafés and clubs in Berlin in the twenties, and to the virtual invention of filmmaking--is the conflict between his impossibly high ideals and the heartbreaking memories of love betrayed and the lover who died in the trenches.
From provincial Germany, briefly through Hollywood in its early days, to the South Seas, Nosferatu charts a life at once artistic, intellectual, and deeply human.
In the history of cinema, this novel's protagonist and subject ranks as a founding father, not least for his legendary horror film, Nosferatu. But here he is revealed as a hermetic genius who turns, tragically, against himself, becoming in a sense his own vampire. What shadows Shepard's Murnau--through the airfields of the Great War to cafés and clubs in Berlin in the twenties, and to the virtual invention of filmmaking--is the conflict between his impossibly high ideals and the heartbreaking memories of love betrayed and the lover who died in the trenches.
From provincial Germany, briefly through Hollywood in its early days, to the South Seas, Nosferatu charts a life at once artistic, intellectual, and deeply human.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There are a variety of circumstances that make this book a paradox. First, the subject matter is fascinating: Silent movie director FW Murnau's life and career. Unfortunately, because the family is ashamed of its gay ancestor, a lot of material was withheld from the author, who has to fictionalize this sort-of biography. Shifts from third- to first-person narrative would be less jarring if there was not a sudden change in quality (first person sounding much more authentic). Another problem is that the author takes a glib view of film history itself, writing this book to satisfy his childhood obsession with the horror movie Nosferatu by writing about its creator. But to only mention three of his movies, leaving off his most stunning achievements--Faust and Sunrise--is astounding. But, despite all this, Shepard paints an interesting picture of Murnau as an obsessed loner whose only joy was the lost boyfriend, Hans, and the subsequent obsession with his death (in WWI trenches) and memory. As a film history buff, it's hard not to feel the clang of what's missing here. As a look at the mournful obsession for youth and dream lost, though, it sort of work, marred again by the narrative alternation.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3/4ths of a great book
7 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback
This book starts very, very well. Wonderful characters, well written and then something happens, the style of writing changes, the flow stops and becomes a unsteady pattern of drips. The ending seems an afterthought and, even though perfectly fitting, slapped on with little deference to plot or love of the characters. I would recommend the book based on its strengths over its weaknesses.
Very Comphrensive
14 April 2005
Format:Hardcover
Jim Shepard's attention to detail is as always, mind boggling! Nosferatu is a fictional account of the eminent German film director F.W Murnau. The book takes you on an rollercoaster journey through Murnau's life from his humble childhood beginnings, to his time as a fighter pilot during World War I, his rise to the top of the cinematic world and then inevitably his tragic death.
The book is a great read throughout, emotive yet witty. However, the first half is far more brilliant than the second. The prose is very challenging (non veterans will need to bring out the collegiate dictionary for this one) but at the critical gain of early 20th Century elegance...
A downfall however is that the novel somehow seems to end incredibly hastly. Shepard also seems to make tremendous leaps to different stages of Murnau's life (which leaves you wondering - what happened in between???).
Overall a good read especially for the silient cinema fans and those interested in the pre/post World War I era.
The book is a great read throughout, emotive yet witty. However, the first half is far more brilliant than the second. The prose is very challenging (non veterans will need to bring out the collegiate dictionary for this one) but at the critical gain of early 20th Century elegance...
A downfall however is that the novel somehow seems to end incredibly hastly. Shepard also seems to make tremendous leaps to different stages of Murnau's life (which leaves you wondering - what happened in between???).
Overall a good read especially for the silient cinema fans and those interested in the pre/post World War I era.
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Compelling yet fictional look at a Silent Cinema Giant
25 Sep 1998
Format:Hardcover
There are a variety of circumstances that make this book a paradox. First, the subject matter is fascinating: Silent movie director FW Murnau's life and career. Unfortunately, because the family is ashamed of its gay ancestor, a lot of material was withheld from the author, who has to fictionalize this sort-of biography. Shifts from third- to first-person narrative would be less jarring if there was not a sudden change in quality (first person sounding much more authentic). Another problem is that the author takes a glib view of film history itself, writing this book to satisfy his childhood obsession with the horror movie Nosferatu by writing about its creator. But to only mention three of his movies, leaving off his most stunning achievements--Faust and Sunrise--is astounding. But, despite all this, Shepard paints an interesting picture of Murnau as an obsessed loner whose only joy was the lost boyfriend, Hans, and the subsequent obsession with his death (in WWI trenches) and memory. As a film history buff, it's hard not to feel the clang of what's missing here. As a look at the mournful obsession for youth and dream lost, though, it sort of work, marred again by the narrative alternation.
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