Chapter 1 begins Zampanò’s paper over The Navidson Record, which is a collection of videos of the Navidson family. Zampanò explains that while wildly popular, there are many to believe the videos to be an elaborate hoax. Exploring that idea, he writes,
“In fact, this leading obsession—to validate or invalidate the reels and tapes—invariably brings up a collateral and more general concern: whether or not, with the advent of digital technology, imaging has forsaken its once unimpeachable hold on the truth,”
which is just a long way to ask whether with how far technology has come we are able to identify if a video we see is real or if it has been altered and staged. Zampanò’s questioning of the truth is an interesting topic for him to choose to discuss. I believe because the second narrator Johnny Truant had stated earlier in the introduction that many of the sources Zampanò included in his paper were made up. The evidence and support Zampanò uses throughout The Navidson Record is fictitious and it is because of this that we have the urge to doubt the existence of the Navidson videos.
It is also in Chapter 1 where we are introduced to yet another unique quality of the book. Each time ‘house’ is written, whether in Zampanò’s writing or in his footnotes, the word is written in blue instead of black ink. My assumption is because ‘house’ is a key theme throughout the book and demands to have your attention early in the writing.
Chapter 2 begins with Zampanò explaining he believes that the performance of Navidson is an authentic reaction to real events. This is immediately undercut with a footnote left by Truant saying, “Not the first and definitely not the last time Zampanò implies that The Navidson Record exists.” This display of back and forth between Zampanò and Truant’s belief of what is reality is purposefully confusing and equally believable. Another question of authenticity is proposed by the third narrator and editor later in the chapter. In the footnote, the editor points out there are long narratives written by Zampanò that was supposedly spoken by the Navidson family. They explain that the truth is further written about in Chapter 5. Having that information does little for us until we are able to make our way to Chapter 5 and reveal what has been withheld from us.
Chapter 2 also begins setting the stage for the Navidson videos. Through Zampanò’s writing of the films, we are introduced to Navidson’s two young children, Chad the older child and Daisy the younger child. We also learn more about the relationship between Will Navidson and Karen Green. While many times Zampanò mentions the couple’s excitement to reunite after a short time away, the behavior of being in the presence of the other is regarded differently. The two show little affection, almost to the point of indifference. This detail may have to do with the new information given by Karen during an independent video journal she records. Karen describes Navidson practically shouting “Delial” in his sleep. She goes on to explain that moving into the house was supposed to be a way for them to put the past behind them. Navidson had refused to explain to any person, including Karen, who Delial is. This secret alludes to the fact that while seemingly normal and loving, the family or, maybe just Navidson, has some dark secret that has yet to be revealed and could play into the rest of the story.
Chapter 3 begins almost immediately with Truant writing a two-page long footnote. He begins by translating a quote Zampanò used to begin the chapter. The quote asks, “ But I, why should I go there, and who grants it?” Truant is haunted by the question and tries to understand how he got into the situation he is in and why it had to be him. Truant has the same answer we all share and is that he is unsure. This insight makes us want to believe everything Truant says and accept his reality as truth because he seems so relatable.
Ultimately at the end of Chapter 3, we have learned very little and are left with many more questions we hope to get answered as we continue reading.
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