8.58k reviews for:

Appels vallen niet

Liane Moriarty

3.67 AVERAGE


3.5/5 I think I read this at the perfect time for me. I don’t normally enjoy family dramas but I guess I needed something easy to follow. There’s a lot of characters in the book but I didn’t struggle to keep up with them. I love tennis so obviously I enjoyed that the story was in the tennis world. That being said, this book is too long

Read this if you like domestic drama. For the most part, I don't. I don't like stressing about my own family let alone someone else's. It begins with us learning about two aging parents who recently retired from running a tennis academy and their 4 grown-up children. We get a very detailed picture of each person and their problems and relationships, and then the mom texts her kids that she's going "off-grid." The longer she's gone, the more the family and police start to suspect that her husband killed her. I think this is much more of a family story rather than a thriller, but it’s a mystery that unravels as we get to know each character. If you want a good family drama that's an actual thriller, I recommend "Not a Happy Family" by Shari Lapena.

This is one of those books that didn't get interesting for me until I was two-thirds into it, which is far too long to wait. And then it finally gets interesting, and resolves... and then there are 4 or 5 more chapters that just felt unnecessary. The story is long for no reason. It does a good job of creating a realistic family dynamic and multi-faceted characters.

One of my favorite authors, and one of my favorite books she has written! This book moved quickly from the very first page, but I never felt like anything was lacking from the story. It had me guessing the whole time, and the ending even had me surprised.. which lets be honest is hard to do at this point to readers! LM’s writing style will forever be my jam. Smart, deep, but still a breeze to read.

This was a solid read. I wish I could do half-stars (I’d say it was a 3.5). It’s what you’d expect from a Liane Moriarty book: great interpersonal drama, a bit of mystery (some of which is a little predictable), and overall entertaining.

I read this via audiobook, and it had an Australian voice actor (which felt appropriate for the storyline) who was quite good.

Me: "Why is it taking me so long to finish this book?"

*sees it's almost 500 pages*

Honestly I expected this to be better considering they made a TV show out of it

I got so into these peoples lives I forgot they weren’t real for a bit. good writing fs

Rough start for me. The family dynamics made me really uncomfortable. But like every Moriarty I’ve read, she redeems herself and you never see the ending coming.

Audible note: I did not like the reader. Her Australian accent with a question at the end of every sentence made my eye twitch. Read this one in hand if you can.

ok….i think this is one of those books where if ur expecting a thrilling mystery then you will be so bored reading this … i was almost getting frustrated at some point but thankfully i listened to the audiobook which helped. BUT ANYWAYS the way the author unraveled the dysfunctional parts of the family.. it was so good and it was making me feel so .. just thinking about life in the future with a family that has its flaws and how things will be with your life and ur parents when they retire.. idk it kinda messed me up.. and i think liane described family dynamics so well where so many things get lost in miscommunication and how parents can fuck up their kids lives and the dynamics between ur parents etc. it was slow and long but i can see that was the point of the story like the family unraveling and we see each layer. i really liked it by the end.

Easy snow day read, but did take me like 3 years to get past the beginning. Also was not a super fan of the ending.

Starting off, it was a much different book then I thought I was picking up, but lets get into it!

Apples Never Fall, the latest novel by renowned author Liane Moriarty, is an exploration of family dynamics and the complexities that lie beneath seemingly ordinary lives. While the book presents an intriguing premise and offers glimpses of the author's storytelling prowess, it falls short of fully delivering on its potential.

The story revolves around the Delaney family, whose seemingly idyllic existence is shattered when Joy Delaney mysteriously disappears. As her family tries to unravel the truth behind her disappearance, dark secrets, hidden resentments, and strained relationships come to the fore.

Moriarty, has a knack for creating multi-layered characters, and Apples Never Fall is no exception. Each member of the Delaney family is crafted with care, with their unique quirks and flaws adding depth to the narrative. From the steadfast Stan to the enigmatic Joy, their personalities are vividly depicted, drawing readers into their world.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its exploration of familial bonds and the complexities of marriage. The strained relationships and buried secrets that emerge throughout the story are relatable and offer moments of genuine emotional resonance. The author delves into the intricacies of human connections, highlighting the ways in which misunderstandings and unspoken truths can strain even the closest of relationships.

However, despite these compelling elements, the book suffers from pacing issues and an occasionally meandering plot. The narrative takes its time to unfold, with extensive flashbacks and detours that may test the patience of some readers. The story's momentum is occasionally stalled, making it difficult to maintain a consistent level of engagement throughout.

Additionally, while the characters are well-developed, some of their actions and motivations feel contrived or predictable. Certain plot twists lack the impact they should have had, and resolutions to certain conflicts come across as convenient rather than earned. These shortcomings prevent the story from fully resonating on an emotional level, leaving some aspects feeling disappointingly shallow.

On a positive note, Moriarty' writing style remains engaging and accessible. The prose flows smoothly, and the author's ability to create authentic dialogue adds authenticity to the interactions between characters. The book's themes of love, forgiveness, and the complexities of family dynamics are explored with sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

Apples Never Fall is a novel that holds promise, with its well-drawn characters and exploration of family dynamics. However, it falls short of reaching its full potential due to pacing issues and occasionally predictable plot developments. While it may not be the author's strongest work, fans of their previous novels may still find moments of enjoyment and insight within these pages.

In conclusion, Apples Never Fall presents a mixed reading experience, with glimpses of brilliance tempered by pacing issues and predictable plot elements. It serves as a reminder that even talented authors can produce works that don't quite match their best efforts. Nonetheless, it offers enough moments of emotional resonance and compelling characters to engage readers seeking a contemporary exploration of family and its complexities.