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bisexualbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott is a strikingly sharp and poignant novel that masterfully explores the intersection of patriarchy, anti-Indigenous racism, and psychological horror. From the very first pages, Elliott's prose captivates with its precision and depth, bringing to light the pervasive and painful realities faced by Indigenous communities.
Elliott's depiction of the intersectionality of oppressive systems is both spot-on and unsettling. The protagonist, Alice, navigates a world where colonial concepts of femininity and patriarchal pressures weigh heavily on her, reflecting a profound critique of how deeply these ideas are ingrained in society.
The novel also delves into the horrors of assimilation and the loss of cultural heritage. Alice's experience of not speaking her native language, and the broader implications of this loss, highlights the painful consequences of enforced assimilation. This theme is poignantly reflected in the psychological horror elements of the story, where everything appears normal until it suddenly isn't, a trope Elliott employs to great effect.
Alice's journey is also one of motherhood under the oppressive standards of white supremacy. The double burden she carries, trying to be a "good mother" under these impossible standards, is depicted with heartbreaking clarity. Elliott's commentary on how society fails mothers is particularly powerful.
The book's horror elements are intricately tied to Alice's mental state, her dissociation, and her struggles with substance abuse. Elliott's portrayal of these themes is both empathetic and harrowing, shedding light on how substance abuse is often a coping mechanism in the face of systemic racism, personal trauma, and a lack of other resources.
Elliott's anticolonial critique shines through in her reflections on storytelling, art, and community. She skillfully illustrates the power and difficulty of storytelling in Indigenous cultures, while also critiquing the commodification of art under capitalism. The novel’s anticapitalist themes are particularly striking, especially in the context of mental illness, grief, and their lack of productivity in a capitalist society.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its exploration of ancestral knowledge and community care. The narrative's focus on the importance of community, especially for new parents, is beautifully depicted, offering a powerful counterpoint to the isolating effects of modern society. Elliott’s thoughts on community care are wonderfully summed up by the book's final lines: “The most important thing wasn't that she'd fallen. The most important thing was that she'd been caught. That she had allowed herself to be caught.”
Despite the novel’s many strengths, the ending leaves a slight sense of brusqueness. The transition from Alice's last hallucinatory moments to the final resolution felt a bit jarring. A brief return to Alice's perspective, offering a moment of reflection or closure, would have provided a more satisfying conclusion.
Overall, And Then She Fell is a stellar work that balances sharp social critiques with deeply personal narratives. Alicia Elliott’s exploration of anticolonial and antiracist themes, psychological horror, and the struggles of motherhood is both powerful and profoundly moving. This novel is a testament to the resilience and strength of Indigenous femmes, and a call to recognize and dismantle the oppressive systems that continue to impact their lives.
📖 Recommended For: Enthusiasts of Intersectional Feminist Prose, Readers Interested in Anti-Colonial and Anti-Racist Themes, Admirers of Psychological Horror with Social Commentary, Fans of Netflix’s film “His House” and Lena Waithe’s “Them” anthology.
🔑 Key Themes: Patriarchy and Anti-Indigenous Racism, Cultural Erasure and Assimilation, The Struggles of Motherhood and Identity, Community Care and Ancestral Knowledge, The Psychological Toll of Colonial Oppression.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Cannibalism, Forced institutionalization, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
katie_elise's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death of parent, Mental illness, Drug use, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
pagesofkenzie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Body horror, Mental illness, Racism, Suicide attempt, Grief, Addiction, and Death of parent
kristenbynoe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Violence, Sexual violence, Self harm, Colonisation, Drug use, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racism, Genocide, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
beckydr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
A evocative tale reflecting on reality vs unreality- culture and mental health, the internal and external worlds. A Native American woman deals with life after leaving her community to live with a white husband who doesn’t understand her perspective or her struggle whilst she battles postpartum depression and the loss of her mother. Magical realism meets magic meets reality, honestly I adored this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Gore
Minor: Drug abuse, Police brutality, and Alcoholism
sortabadass's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Body horror, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Addiction
kaywhiteley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Addiction
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Police brutality
amy_park's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Surreal and dark! This book centres on a mother daughter relationship within the native Canadian community. From very early you can tell the mother is experiencing post natal psychosis, which is very dark at times and hard to read. I wasn't expecting the extent of the magical realism and horror aspects in this book. At some points I did struggle with understanding what was going on.
I don't think I gave this book enough time when I first started reading, I feel this book needed you to spend a little bit of time to establish yourself in the plot and better your understanding. This did effect my overall reading expereince.
I liked learning about the native North American experience and their traditions and customs, the commentary of the native American experience was insightful and heartbreaking.
I though this was OK, I don't think it will be shortlisted for the women's prize 2024.
I don't think I gave this book enough time when I first started reading, I feel this book needed you to spend a little bit of time to establish yourself in the plot and better your understanding. This did effect my overall reading expereince.
I liked learning about the native North American experience and their traditions and customs, the commentary of the native American experience was insightful and heartbreaking.
I though this was OK, I don't think it will be shortlisted for the women's prize 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
Moderate: Child death and Addiction
kirstym25's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Genocide
hfnuala's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant, but check the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Schizophrenia/Psychosis