Reviews

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

kaitoro_walker13's review

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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

5.0

Wow. Masterfully written, stunning characters and incredible storytelling,  this book had me gripped til the end.

juniper_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

slushmucky's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It made me sad and heartbroken. But at the same time it did confuse me a little by the way it would jump from memories to the present time. I do understand why it did that though. Really good book.

jsncnrd's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful, truthful, and accurate are three adjectives I would use to describe this novel. Beautiful - a heartbreaking tale about descent into mental illness, tragedy, and the power of memory written surprisingly well. Truthful - a highly plausible take that evoked many emotions in me. Accurate - a fair portrayal of how schizophrenia (and mental illness In general) operates and how it affects the individual suffering from it, and the people who care about them. The portrayal of the mental health system was rather accurate as well.

The book was fantastic: I was not sure what to expect going in, as I hadn't heard anything about it. In the end, I was highly satisfied with the prose and format, the characterization, and the themes hit on in the book. I am happy to have this wonderful book on my shelf and in my memory.

larapoortman's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hannahh071's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aprilnela's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

4.0

e_pp's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.75

catweeena's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sampayn3's review against another edition

4.0

To say that The Shock of the Fall is an odd book would be an understatement. It is bizarre, scattered, chaotic even. But this disorder works in the story's favour, adding to the authenticity of the schizophrenia that it aims to portray. I've read a few mental illness novels, and I'd say that this is one of the best: it's vivid, raw, and completely engrossing. Nathan Filer, the author, has managed to craft the distinct voice of Matt, the main character, around an equally unsettling situation with his brother, Simon. The novel has many purposes: it's a mystery, a story of social problems, a highly politicised view of health care, and a coming of age narrative. Yet above all, it recalibrates stigmas surrounding mental health, proving that the sufferer is a victim. In this startling view of such illnesses, Filer succeeds most. If we are to make progress in this area of health, it must begin by changing the general attitude towards it.