A thoughtful, measured study of the pressure and problems of one average man and the reconcilliation of his own achievements measured against his dreams This book isn't pacey but its a beautiful and really, truly relatable story about one man coming to terms with the shape his life has taken and his acceptance of that. I thought it spoke far more to me as a man than 'The Hours' did

After having read The Hours by Michael Cunningham I was very much looking forward to reading By Nightfall but have to say I was somewhat disappointed although the writing is, as usual, excellent. I found Peter Harris, who is a successful middle aged art dealer, married to Rebecca for many years who have both fallen into a companionable way of life, extremely self obsessed very me me me. On the arrival into their household of his brother in law, Mizzy, who is much younger and although wayward, a charmer he starts to question his marriage, his wife, his job, his role as a father and finds all these areas lacking in one way or another and his middle age crises really kicks in with Mizzy as the catalyst. The book was slow to begin with but it is well worth persevering and even though I found it hard to really believe Peter's dilemma "real" the characters are so well portrayed that it is a good read for that alone. Although strange I would certainly recommend it and intend to re-read it again at some future point and maybe this will make me see it in a different light. It was certainly thought provoking.

I find that I agree up to a point with both the one-star and the five-star reviews here! To start with, I found it hard to get into: the main character, Peter, was initially difficult to empathise with, and I found the writing self-consciously showy, as if the author was trying too hard to make the reader think, "this is great writing". However, by about halfway through I found myself getting caught up in it despite these reservations, although they never entirely disappeared. As Peter's feelings for Mizzy intensified I felt the narrative became much more convincing, and Peter himself more sympathetic, in his passion and his confusion about what it was he really wanted. As well as beauty, this novel asks questions about the nature of happiness, which I found more interesting and involving. It definitely made me think, and by the time I got to the end I felt I needed to go back to the beginning and read it again in order to appreciate it properly.

As you might expect from the author of The Hours, By Nightfall is beautifully written and is full of literary references and nods. Set in modern day New York, Peter Harris is a relatively successful, middle-aged art dealer, married to Rebecca, an editor of a cultural magazine from a good Southern family. They live in a trendy apartment and from the outside all is well. Sure there are communication issues with their daughter, particularly from Peter’s side, but it’s the arrival of Rebecca’s younger brother - a drug-taking, charming drifter that is the catalyst for this story. The classic outsider shaking things up. It’s a book about art, relationships, beauty and middle age angst. It’s thought-provoking, tender and very readable. However, without giving any plot details away, I never bought into the central dilemma in which Peter finds himself. I believed in everything else about him, but this one, critical central part. However, that aside, it’s excellent, intelligent read. It’s also one of the most unpretentious books set in the world of modern art. It’s also quite a “slow burner” so if you are not gripped in the first few pages, keep going because it will draw you in.

I found the book very slow moving.It was very difficult to read the first 100 pages.There was too much description and the storyline was not developing.I have not read any other books by this author and would not be in a hurry to do so.