What Happens at Night (novel)

What Happens at Night
AuthorPeter Cameron
LanguageEnglish
Genre
Set inNorthern Europe
PublisherCatapult Books
Publication dateAugust 4, 2020
Pages301[1]
ISBN978-1948226967

What Happens at Night is a gothic mystery novel by the American author Peter Cameron. It follows an unnamed American couple who attempt to adopt a child in a remote town in Europe, and meet several unusual people. The book was a finalist of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in 2020.

Plot

An unnamed American couple travel to a remote northern European country in order to adopt a child. The woman is terminally ill with advanced cancer, having previously undergone a hysterectomy, and the couple's inability to have biological children has placed strain on their marriage. They hope that adopting a child will provide purpose and stability as the woman's condition worsens.

The couple arrive in an isolated town and stay at the fictional Borgarfjardarsysla Grand Imperial Hotel while arranging the adoption through a local orphanage. The hotel is largely empty and staffed by a small number of employees, and it houses several unusual guests. During their stay, the man encounters Livia Pinheiro-Rima, an elderly woman, and Henk Bosma, a traveling businessman whose behavior is erratic. The man later engages in a sexual encounter with Bosma. Meanwhile, the woman becomes entangled in the administrative processes required to adopt a child. She also seeks out Brother Emmanuel, a local religious healer, in the hope of improving her condition.

Development

What Happens at Night is the seventh novel by the American writer Peter Cameron.[2] It was published by Catapult Books[3] on August 4, 2020.[4]

Reception

The book received mostly positive reviews. In a review for the Lambda Literary Foundation, Mikey Byrd praised the book's humor and characterization, but criticized the "forced pathos".[5] Publishers Weekly praised the characterization of Livia Pinheiro-Rima, calling her "particularly memorable", but criticized that of Brother Emmanuel; ultimately, the magazine described the novel as an "admirable tale emotionally affecting".[3] Beth Mowbray for The Nerd Daily rated the book a 10/10.[4] Sam Sacks for The Wall Street Journal also praised the novel, including its atmosphere and tone.[1]

The book was a finalist of the 2020 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, in the fiction category.[6]

Film adaptation

In September 2025, it was announced that filmmaker Martin Scorsese would adapt the novel into a film of the same name starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Sacks, Sam (August 7, 2020). "Fiction: Between the Eerie and the Everyday". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  2. ↑ Self, John (September 4, 2021). "What Happens at Night by Peter Cameron review — checking in at the hotel at the edge of the world". The Times. Archived from the original on April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "What Happens at Night". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Mowbray, Beth (September 8, 2020). "Review: What Happens at Night by Peter Cameron". The Nerd Daily. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ Byrd, Mikey (September 21, 2020). "What Happens at Night is the Dream-Like Story of One Troubled Couple". Lambda Literary Foundation. Archived from the original on April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ Pineda, Dorany (March 2, 2021). "Isabel Wilkerson, Jacob Soboroff, Akwaeke Emezi among L.A. Times Book Prize finalists". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Kroll, Justin; Fleming Jr, Mike (September 18, 2025). "Martin Scorsese Sets 'What Happens At Night' Next; Leonardo DiCaprio & Jennifer Lawrence Star With Apple In Talks". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2026.

Further reading

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