Before I Fall, by
Lauren Oliver, was overall a captivating book. The unique style of the author's writing is complex and so mysterious. You must pay attention to many small details in order to understand future references. Readers have to have a good sense of foreshadowing and like to jump around in the novel.
Before I Fall is about a completely average girl thrust into a not so average situation. Samantha Kingston, struggling to juggle her friends, boyfriend, and staying at the top of the pyramid of popularity, lives day to day as any normal teenager. Only, teenagers don't experience the same horror Samantha does. Coming out of a party with friends,Samantha gets into a car crash and dies. Everything was so vivid -- the screams, metal colliding, and bodies thrashing around. When Samantha died, she woke only to find the start of a new day...or was it? She remembered exactly what happened but no one else did. She is given a chance to redo her last day, seven chances in fact, until she changes her life to the way it was supposed to end. Trying to find what caused her death, how to change what has or will again happen, and learning to better herself and those around her, Samantha goes through the same day in the chapters. Personally, the book was amazingly well written for teens to fully put themselves in Samantha's place and to keep them laughing, crying, and burning through the pages. The only fault I could find was the book started to get too repetitive. Because Samantha lived one day over and over again, the author repeated Samantha's words and actions much to often that I found myself skimming ahead to the new parts in the day. The conflicts and situations were very well thought out as each new day would only solve a portion of the mystery which kept me reading. In the end, she made so many rights choices for herself and the book will definitely give teens a positive view of life and how to cherish it, but will seem like a teen wrote the book instead of an adult with the humor and feelings so many of us struggle with today. I would recommend this book to all teens because of the overwhelming amount of feelings the characters go through, that the readers will feel an instant connection with. However, those who get easily confused may find themselves having to go back to pages and consult other chapters to understand what is happening.
-Reviewed by Nikki, grade 8.
Comments
I really liked Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, although I do have to say that of Oliver's books this one was probably my least favorite. I did appreciate how Oliver told the story from so many different aspects, which definitely helped to build the plot and gave a much better understanding of the characters. I did think that the story was a little bland and cliche, although I did like that Samantha wasn't portrayed as a saint. Some authors paint their main characters as the picture of perfection, while Oliver presented Samantha openly, not hiding her flaws. I felt like this gave the book a more honest feel which I really enjoyed. Overall, Before I Fall was a pretty good book and I think anyone that likes dramatic books will like it.
Reviewed by Lucy H., Grade 9
Montrose Library
My opinion on this book is that it is very interesting. I think the lesson behind this book is to value what you have because you never know what might happen that can take it all a way in a flash. Don't show off and be conceited about what you have to feel superior. To make you feel better. The next second, it might be all gone. Everyone has whats meant for them to have. No one is ever going to be better than another.
Reviewed by Jacqueline, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library