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trin's review against another edition
2.0
This book certainly has its compelling sections, but the denouement manages to be both rushed and dull, and I feel like Hawley was groping in the dark for some sort of profound message but never actually managed to put his hands on it. Ultimately, Before the Fall strikes me as a rather silly book masquerading as a serious one, which always leaves me rolling my eyes. Just be what you are, little thriller!
And dear lord, please stop trying to describe deep, meaningful paintings. Like they say: a picture's worth a thousand words -- and even then, you have to find the right ones.
And dear lord, please stop trying to describe deep, meaningful paintings. Like they say: a picture's worth a thousand words -- and even then, you have to find the right ones.
emileers's review against another edition
3.0
Basically a book about the fragility of masculinity. Scott, Charlie, Doug, Bill, everyone.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
For me, "Before the Fall" was the perfect combination of breathtaking suspense and fascinating character study. The action totally sucked me in and kept me up reading late into the night, but it's not just a thriller; each character gets his/her moment in the spotlight through flashbacks, and this gives it more depth. I liked the way Hawley uses small details to characterize each person involved in the crash. This made me feel more invested in the story and also gave subtle hints about the conclusion, which I did not see coming but fit with the clues in hindsight. The story also makes some valid and interesting points about the effect of the media on how we experience events. I recommend this mystery for anyone who likes twisty novels like "Gone Girl" and "Before I Go to Sleep."
Spoiler
There's one thing I wanted more about: what happened to the bodyguard, Gil, after the crash. The heading of his chapter indicates that he died three days after everyone else (August 26 instead of August 23) and they never found his body, so I assume he survived the crash and drifted out to sea, but I wish we had more details! Considering his history, it seems like he'd have made a valiant effort to survive and considering that he lived three days after the crash, it seems like there's a story there.caitlinhume's review against another edition
5.0
Freaking wow. That’s all I got. Worth all the hype.
missa_rose's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dev921's review against another edition
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Grief, Bullying, and Cursing
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This is a really solid book that explores some interesting themes, but it didn't hold quite the payoff for me that I wanted it to hold. There were times when the author's style didn't suit me either, because I felt the author's hand too much in some sections. Otherwise, this is a page-turner with a compelling plot.
This is a really solid book that explores some interesting themes, but it didn't hold quite the payoff for me that I wanted it to hold. There were times when the author's style didn't suit me either, because I felt the author's hand too much in some sections. Otherwise, this is a page-turner with a compelling plot.
onlinesah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
eggjen's review against another edition
4.0
I ended up liking this book a lot more than I was expecting to. It's a kind of whodunnit mystery that revolves around a handful of characters involved in a plane crash with only two known survivors. Things we want to know: "Why did the plane crash?" "Did anyone else survive?" "Are the people we are reading about reliable narrators?"
The cool thing about a book like this is getting to revel in that voyeuristic tendency - the thing in our brain that makes us turn and stare at a car crash. We want to know more even though it's none of our business. Over the course of the book we learn more about all the characters, how they came to be on the plane and how it might tie into the resulting crash. Of course you find yourself drawing connections that aren't there or just aren't relevant.
That is kind of the basis of the book in a lot of ways. As much as it's a story about a plane crash, it's also a story about relationships, a story about survival and perhaps most importantly it's a story about how the news and the media shape events and our perceptions of them. The author spends a lot of time showing us how biases media sources go about creating news or twisting it to suit their agendas. It talks about how corruption and greed can affect things not directly related to them and about how easy it is to be led to the wrong conclusions.
It's truly a fascinating book. It wasn't always fun to read - some of the characters are awful and sometimes the jumping from one plot point to another was intensely annoying as stuff would be starting to "get good" and then we'd be forced to read about someone and something else entirely that felt irrelevant perhaps or just not as interesting. And because all the characters are fairly realistic, none of them are inherently good. They all make mistakes and bad choices. But there are definitely a few that you will root for more than the others, which I think is helpful in keeping a reader engaged. I'd probably give this one 4 1/2 stars to be honest.
The cool thing about a book like this is getting to revel in that voyeuristic tendency - the thing in our brain that makes us turn and stare at a car crash. We want to know more even though it's none of our business. Over the course of the book we learn more about all the characters, how they came to be on the plane and how it might tie into the resulting crash. Of course you find yourself drawing connections that aren't there or just aren't relevant.
That is kind of the basis of the book in a lot of ways. As much as it's a story about a plane crash, it's also a story about relationships, a story about survival and perhaps most importantly it's a story about how the news and the media shape events and our perceptions of them. The author spends a lot of time showing us how biases media sources go about creating news or twisting it to suit their agendas. It talks about how corruption and greed can affect things not directly related to them and about how easy it is to be led to the wrong conclusions.
It's truly a fascinating book. It wasn't always fun to read - some of the characters are awful and sometimes the jumping from one plot point to another was intensely annoying as stuff would be starting to "get good" and then we'd be forced to read about someone and something else entirely that felt irrelevant perhaps or just not as interesting. And because all the characters are fairly realistic, none of them are inherently good. They all make mistakes and bad choices. But there are definitely a few that you will root for more than the others, which I think is helpful in keeping a reader engaged. I'd probably give this one 4 1/2 stars to be honest.
utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
A chartered jet crashes into the ocean en route between Martha's Vineyard and New York City. The only survivors are an artist and the four year old son of a media mogul. His parents and sister are dead in the crash, as well as another wealthy couple who is being investigated by the SEC.
After swimming to shore with the boy, Scott is initially hailed as a hero but investigators aren't so sure. What was this hapless, unknown artist doing on a private jet with these wealthy people? Was it just an accident or was this an attack? As the investigators continue to dig and search for the pieces of plane and the black box, the facts will emerge.
Going back and forth between the post-accident investigation and into the back stories of the passengers, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley keeps the reader immersed in theories and clues to the cause of the crash. I was completely intrigued. I love a good character focused story and it was especially exciting to have a thriller focus primarily on the people and their choices instead of just the action. Besides the main characters, Hawley focuses on human nature and the reactions people have to disasters and sensational new stories.
Before the Fall was completely engaging and though essentially a thriller, I thought it was very smart. Hawley keeps the action going but allows for some introspection and down times when the reader can really get to know the characters.
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley is an exciting choice this summer. Tuck it in your beach bag or backpack or like me, just hunker down under the air conditioning and enjoy the suspense.
After swimming to shore with the boy, Scott is initially hailed as a hero but investigators aren't so sure. What was this hapless, unknown artist doing on a private jet with these wealthy people? Was it just an accident or was this an attack? As the investigators continue to dig and search for the pieces of plane and the black box, the facts will emerge.
Going back and forth between the post-accident investigation and into the back stories of the passengers, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley keeps the reader immersed in theories and clues to the cause of the crash. I was completely intrigued. I love a good character focused story and it was especially exciting to have a thriller focus primarily on the people and their choices instead of just the action. Besides the main characters, Hawley focuses on human nature and the reactions people have to disasters and sensational new stories.
Before the Fall was completely engaging and though essentially a thriller, I thought it was very smart. Hawley keeps the action going but allows for some introspection and down times when the reader can really get to know the characters.
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley is an exciting choice this summer. Tuck it in your beach bag or backpack or like me, just hunker down under the air conditioning and enjoy the suspense.