A review by athenezadam
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

And Then She Fell is about a woman of Mohawk heritage who is struggling with new motherhood, losing her support system, being the sole Indigenous person in her predominantly white neighbourhood, her writing aspirations, and strange, reality-altering events. This story touches on several genres including magical realism. Elliott poignantly outlines the microaggressions and overt racism the protagonist experiences from her Torontonian neighbours and through her interracial marriage. The deterioration of her mental health is terrifying. The point-of-view changes are initially confusing but the climax is emotional and the novel's prose is witty. The story invests the reader in the protagonist's journey, rooting for her to overcome her obstacles to achieve a good outcome.