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shaunashares's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Body horror, Gaslighting, Racism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Car accident
bookengulfer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brownbear5's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
shelleyanderson4127's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I loved And Then She Fell. This is the second book by Mohawk writer Alicia Elliott. It's been longlisted for the 2024 #Women'sPrize. According to the blurb it tells the story of Alice, who has it all: charming husband, new baby, new house in a rich neighborhood.
But then Alice begins to hear voices, and holding conversations with things that shouldn't be talking back. "Infused with Native American myth and legend, And Then She Fell is a wild, fierce novel."
The writing is original and clear and explores the under narrated worlds of both people with mental health issues and Native women living in a white world. Excellent pace and an increasing tension as Alice's world begins to implode. The magic realism of the ending confused me at first, but I quickly got on board. This is an exciting read and I highly recommend it.
But then Alice begins to hear voices, and holding conversations with things that shouldn't be talking back. "Infused with Native American myth and legend, And Then She Fell is a wild, fierce novel."
The writing is original and clear and explores the under narrated worlds of both people with mental health issues and Native women living in a white world. Excellent pace and an increasing tension as Alice's world begins to implode. The magic realism of the ending confused me at first, but I quickly got on board. This is an exciting read and I highly recommend it.
rorybory's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
phonecharm's review against another edition
2.0
This one was tough for me to get through. The first half is a slog, it’s a repetitive, directionless, process. What process? Well of the main characters struggle with mental illness after the birth of her daughter. The main chunk of this book is all leading to the dinner party where the main character loses her grip on reality entirely and spirals out of control unable to separate reality for her hallucinations.
To me, this is another case of aiming too high. The idea of motifs associated with racism and sexism influencing this woman’s descent into a post-partum paranoid breakdown is interesting, it’s good, but I see two flaws with the execution; 1. Her husband 2. She is actually not that insane because in the second portion of the book we find out she is actually communicating with spirits??? (well one spirit)
My issues with her husband are complicated. Right away you suspect how the relationship will play out. As a matter of fact Disney’s Pocahontas tells you! Which I see as an attempt to create tension, the reader wonders “well how is her husband another John? how does he ruin her life?” The exact way you’d expect he would. All the parts with the husband are incredibly dull, the few attempts to make the relationship dynamic compelling drag. Of course they aren’t meant to be a romantic couple filled with passion, the issue is that the relationship only exists to show the main characters lack of direction and self respect.
The effect the husband has on the story can easily be achieved if the husband was not involved in their daughter’s life. He exists only so that things “happen” to our main character, every plot point derives from the husband. This woman does NOTHING the entire story. One could say this is supposed to reflect one of the overall themes of the book but it’s simply boring to read about a character who doesnt do anything and whines for an entire book.
Pocahontas is also a MAJOR dropped ball. The link that these women have in the story is the most alluring aspect of the book but it’s not thoroughly explored. “Grandma was crazy everyone thought grandma was crazy and they’ll think I’m crazy” the one thing I was looking forward to was the “do you remember Pocahontas not saying the right words?” and it didn’t happen? She was used rather lazily as a reference to stereotypes and misrepresentation, I think the author could have used the Disney Pocahontas to do some funny and clever writing but it didn’t pan out that way.
Messy messy book that I wanted to like.
Of note that I preferred the second narrative to the first, and found it much easier to digest.
To me, this is another case of aiming too high. The idea of motifs associated with racism and sexism influencing this woman’s descent into a post-partum paranoid breakdown is interesting, it’s good, but I see two flaws with the execution; 1. Her husband 2. She is actually not that insane because in the second portion of the book we find out she is actually communicating with spirits??? (well one spirit)
My issues with her husband are complicated. Right away you suspect how the relationship will play out. As a matter of fact Disney’s Pocahontas tells you! Which I see as an attempt to create tension, the reader wonders “well how is her husband another John? how does he ruin her life?” The exact way you’d expect he would. All the parts with the husband are incredibly dull, the few attempts to make the relationship dynamic compelling drag. Of course they aren’t meant to be a romantic couple filled with passion, the issue is that the relationship only exists to show the main characters lack of direction and self respect.
The effect the husband has on the story can easily be achieved if the husband was not involved in their daughter’s life. He exists only so that things “happen” to our main character, every plot point derives from the husband. This woman does NOTHING the entire story. One could say this is supposed to reflect one of the overall themes of the book but it’s simply boring to read about a character who doesnt do anything and whines for an entire book.
Pocahontas is also a MAJOR dropped ball. The link that these women have in the story is the most alluring aspect of the book but it’s not thoroughly explored. “Grandma was crazy everyone thought grandma was crazy and they’ll think I’m crazy” the one thing I was looking forward to was the “do you remember Pocahontas not saying the right words?” and it didn’t happen? She was used rather lazily as a reference to stereotypes and misrepresentation, I think the author could have used the Disney Pocahontas to do some funny and clever writing but it didn’t pan out that way.
Messy messy book that I wanted to like.
Of note that I preferred the second narrative to the first, and found it much easier to digest.
chrisg94's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lostcupofstars's review
4.25
Damn ok. This was a TRIP.
I really enjoyed this, loved the constant blurring of genre - it was giving speculative, horror, sci fi, magical realism, historical fiction etc all in one novel.
So much was explored here and Alice’s descent is so open to interpretation.
My only gripe is how thin Steve is as a character.Seeing as he is integral to the plot, I think he needed more depth. His character development doesn’t exist outside of pushing the plot forward. Which makes sense given the nature of the conflict here, but I think in order for that dinner party scene to really land, we needed to know Steve better.
Awesome read.
I really enjoyed this, loved the constant blurring of genre - it was giving speculative, horror, sci fi, magical realism, historical fiction etc all in one novel.
So much was explored here and Alice’s descent is so open to interpretation.
My only gripe is how thin Steve is as a character.
Awesome read.
quawbix's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25