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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
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 against another edition
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
littleknit10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book really came together for me at the end. I struggled through because of kids distracting me and a few times I'd pick up the book and couldn't understand what was going on.
year23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
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
messyheart's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0