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shieldbearer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this one up because I have a prior interest in Love Canal, but I did in fact think that Oates did quite a fabulous job with portraying Ariah. She is a deeply unpleasant person, but she's layered and complicated. I felt for her, and as I saw so much I recognized in her, but I also loathed her. I do think the novel could have been better structured, and while there were some visceral details that really made the characters feel human, some of them just felt... clumsily pushed in to advance the plot. (Particularly the incident with Royale and the woman in black at the cemetary).
ultimately, I wanted and hoped for something with more focus on the Love Canal case, though what I got was well executed overall. Really not sure why
ultimately, I wanted and hoped for something with more focus on the Love Canal case, though what I got was well executed overall. Really not sure why
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Suicide, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Child abuse, Car accident, and Ableism
Moderate: Genocide, Antisemitism, Racism, Body shaming, and Cancer
Minor: Abortion
rlsjxvx's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“Maybe, love is always forgiveness, to a degree.” - Chandler Burnaby
Like Niagara Falls, the backdrop for this novel, “The Falls” is powerful, beautiful, and full of tragedy. The Burnaby family encounters love, loathing, loss, and forgiveness. A tragic love story, Oates pulls us down a path that explores the inner working of families that are at the mercy of outside forces that cannot be controlled. Oates prose allows us to truly believe the thoughts and feelings of her characters, almost as if they are actually alive.
Like Niagara Falls, the backdrop for this novel, “The Falls” is powerful, beautiful, and full of tragedy. The Burnaby family encounters love, loathing, loss, and forgiveness. A tragic love story, Oates pulls us down a path that explores the inner working of families that are at the mercy of outside forces that cannot be controlled. Oates prose allows us to truly believe the thoughts and feelings of her characters, almost as if they are actually alive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Suicide
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