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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This book was a bit too surreal for my liking, personally. I struggled to understand which character was talking at certain times - the line between the main protagonist and his late brother Simon (which isn't really a spoiler as we're made aware this is the case from the start of the story), seemed particularly unclear. Having said that, there is a good sense of mystery and I can understand why some people really like it but it felt just a bit too cryptic to really, fully engage me as such.
I think a good word to describe this novel is cryptic - its certainly not what I'd think of as a traditional read. It reminded me of 'The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time' but the plot has more layers to it - in fact the chronology was an element that definitely did confuse me. It is a relatively quick read as some pages feature the protagonist's illustrations or diagrams.
I though it was ok, a pretty good read for some but it won't appeal to all, not least as it covers some quite serious themes including that of grief and mental health (including psychiatric care).
I think a good word to describe this novel is cryptic - its certainly not what I'd think of as a traditional read. It reminded me of 'The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time' but the plot has more layers to it - in fact the chronology was an element that definitely did confuse me. It is a relatively quick read as some pages feature the protagonist's illustrations or diagrams.
I though it was ok, a pretty good read for some but it won't appeal to all, not least as it covers some quite serious themes including that of grief and mental health (including psychiatric care).
I'll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name's Simon. I think you're going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he'll be dead. And he was never the same after that. (pg.5)
Nine-year-old Matthew Homes was on holiday with his mother, father, and his twelve-year-old brother, Simon. One night, he and Simon sneak out in the middle of the night; much later, only Matthew returns. Where The Moon Isn't is Matthew's story of that night and his brother.
Now, when I began reading this book, I was under the impression that the story was all about Simon and the night he disappeared. And it is. But it's more than that. Really, more than that because it's Matthew's story. It's the story of Matthew's pain and his guilt and his illness and how he lives with all of it.
Written in a mixed media format (letters, drawings, etc.), the book is a sad and tragic, yet hopeful story. Matthew, the nineteen-year-old narrator, is wholly believeable; he's strange, sad, and sometimes scary. The same can be said of his story.
A marvelous debut that seems something like Ned Vizzini's [b:It's Kind of A Funny Story|248704|It's Kind of a Funny Story|Ned Vizzini|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347649705s/248704.jpg|240980] but even more. There's more of a connect with this narrator, this story. The author of Where The Moon Isn't, Nathan Filer, is a mental health nurse who has worked on in-patient psychiatric wards; his experience in this field shows in his knowledge of the patients and illnesses he writes about without dimming the shine of the writing.
I received this ARC via firstreads.
Nine-year-old Matthew Homes was on holiday with his mother, father, and his twelve-year-old brother, Simon. One night, he and Simon sneak out in the middle of the night; much later, only Matthew returns. Where The Moon Isn't is Matthew's story of that night and his brother.
Now, when I began reading this book, I was under the impression that the story was all about Simon and the night he disappeared. And it is. But it's more than that. Really, more than that because it's Matthew's story. It's the story of Matthew's pain and his guilt and his illness and how he lives with all of it.
Written in a mixed media format (letters, drawings, etc.), the book is a sad and tragic, yet hopeful story. Matthew, the nineteen-year-old narrator, is wholly believeable; he's strange, sad, and sometimes scary. The same can be said of his story.
A marvelous debut that seems something like Ned Vizzini's [b:It's Kind of A Funny Story|248704|It's Kind of a Funny Story|Ned Vizzini|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347649705s/248704.jpg|240980] but even more. There's more of a connect with this narrator, this story. The author of Where The Moon Isn't, Nathan Filer, is a mental health nurse who has worked on in-patient psychiatric wards; his experience in this field shows in his knowledge of the patients and illnesses he writes about without dimming the shine of the writing.
I received this ARC via firstreads.
This must be a novel that really got me to think about how people in general tends to be around a mental patient, and how it affects the patient himself.
ANNDDD..... I just can't rate this book. I don't think I need to explain why.
ANNDDD..... I just can't rate this book. I don't think I need to explain why.
Lovely sad book with just the right amount of subtle suspense
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't recall a time where I have ever read a book in 24 hours at all in my 37 year existence... that is, until today. The Shock of the Fall is brilliantly wry, deeply emotional and at times humorous. The opening pages left you thinking 'this is going to be good' and it didn't fail to deliver.
The book explores mental health in the most sensitive of ways and who of us hasn't experienced dark days?
I, quite simply, loved it.
The book explores mental health in the most sensitive of ways and who of us hasn't experienced dark days?
I, quite simply, loved it.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked up this book but what I got from it was a sense of perspective I think. I haven't read anything quite like it before and that itself was a refreshing experience. The narrative at times was often a little stunted but I found myself reading through it and engaging with a well formed protagonist. It's not a book I will return to again and again but I'm glad I stayed open mined about it and I recommend everyone give it a try.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't know lots about psychosis before reading this, and found it a useful insight. The author is an ex psychiatric nurse, so I presume this is based on a lot of experience of meeting patients and knowing the theories behind psychosis. I'd be interested in what others with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals make of this - is it accurate? Or does it rely on some stereotyped ideas of 'madness'? Comparisons to Curious Incident seem fair, the narrative style is similar, it's also quite an easy read and takes you inside a very unusual mindset. I wonder if books like this might be used to help families and others to understand what the experience of psychosis might be like? The portrayal of health services isn't entirely sympathetic but feels quite accurate and is poignant, especially at this time of cut-backs.
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes