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emsfrancesb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
rachd24's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5/5
I found this to be a really fascinating read that could also be very difficult in places. This was partly because of the sadness of the story, and partly because of its complexity – the story is told by Matthew, the protagonist, who is suffering from schizophrenia among other mental health problems and his versions of events can be… jumbled.
It’s no great spoiler to know that Matthew’s brother is dead (it’s right there on the blurb!) and this book really looks at the death of Matthew’s brother and the subsequent effect it had on his life.
Check out the full review here:
https://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/review-the-shock-of-the-fall/
I found this to be a really fascinating read that could also be very difficult in places. This was partly because of the sadness of the story, and partly because of its complexity – the story is told by Matthew, the protagonist, who is suffering from schizophrenia among other mental health problems and his versions of events can be… jumbled.
It’s no great spoiler to know that Matthew’s brother is dead (it’s right there on the blurb!) and this book really looks at the death of Matthew’s brother and the subsequent effect it had on his life.
Check out the full review here:
https://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/review-the-shock-of-the-fall/
minusfigures's review against another edition
5.0
I want to write a thoughtful and well structured review. The kind that speaks on the subtleties and shared experiences that wind throughout the story. But I can't even cry so there's not much else I can really say and someone else has probably done that already; or else someone else has written the exact opposite and then we'll descend into the endless loop of differing opinions and the rest.
This was the hardest book I have read in a while.
This was the hardest book I have read in a while.
rose_paints's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
snikkidee's review against another edition
4.0
1st book of boutofbooks 13.0! Made me cry. I'm a sucker for books with health issues. This deals with schizophrenia and was written by a nurse!
amycat's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay. I don't understand the hype - it wasn't very well written.
lias_little_book_shelf's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome book, took me way too long to read it though haha! It was a good explanation of what it's like to go through schizophrenia. A fair amount of the book I was slightly confused but it all comes together really nicely at the end!
dan80's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
It's good. Very assured debut. Powerful and very real voice.
Unfortunately for me though, I've read a number of books in the last year narrated by people with unique points of view (such as mental illness), so I don't think I was as affected by Matthew as I might otherwise have been.
I did still find Filer's writing strong and confident for a first novel, and did want to know what would happen to the man speaking to me through the book.
We know from the offset that Matthew's brother died as a child and that he feels responsible. It takes more than three quarters of the book to find out what happened, with insights into Matthew's adulthood and frequent tussles with his schizophrenia along the way. I found Matthew's daily life very interesting, his relationship with his grandmother touching, and comments on social care illuminating. I wasn't very shocked or moved by the revelations into Simon's death, rather anticlimactic actually, but Filer's ending was moving while leaving the reader wanting more.
It's lovely when a debut writer received accolades and awards over seasoned novelists, getting more names into the public eye. And Filer covers an important area that deserves ore recognition and discussion.
Lots to learn and technique to admire.
Unfortunately for me though, I've read a number of books in the last year narrated by people with unique points of view (such as mental illness), so I don't think I was as affected by Matthew as I might otherwise have been.
I did still find Filer's writing strong and confident for a first novel, and did want to know what would happen to the man speaking to me through the book.
We know from the offset that Matthew's brother died as a child and that he feels responsible. It takes more than three quarters of the book to find out what happened, with insights into Matthew's adulthood and frequent tussles with his schizophrenia along the way. I found Matthew's daily life very interesting, his relationship with his grandmother touching, and comments on social care illuminating. I wasn't very shocked or moved by the revelations into Simon's death, rather anticlimactic actually, but Filer's ending was moving while leaving the reader wanting more.
It's lovely when a debut writer received accolades and awards over seasoned novelists, getting more names into the public eye. And Filer covers an important area that deserves ore recognition and discussion.
Lots to learn and technique to admire.