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stabilesero's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a lovely novel set around the themes of what it means to be family, part of a community and reflects on real issues of racism, truth and memory.
mpr2000's review
4.0
The past always traps you, for good or bad, it’s always waiting around the corner for the unexpected moment to appear.
I think this is a quite unique story; mixing family secrets and mysteries on an intriguing complex in Deptford. The story is told between two different lines, and with two perspectives of the twins that had been estranged from a long time, Aaron and Clive. The one that is trying to demolish the building they grew up in and the one that can’t leave the past without trying to solve it, staying at the building. As you can imagine, things will not be simple, there will be some female twins involved in the story too that will make this book more profound than you can expect.
I have to admit that this story has surprised me, in some ways it is too close to home; two twin brothers that don’t know much about their father because their mother has always been secretive about him.
I really don’t want to talk much about the plot, I don’t want to reveal too much, any simple detail could make the story lose the spark.
Just one little thing, it’s amazing the detail the author has put on describing the building, with all the secret passages and mysterious places hidden in plain sight that only the architect knows, Clive and Aaron’s mother.
This story covers secrets, lies and racism; but also love, friendship and hope.
A story to make us remember that everything has too many sides and you always have to remember to check both sides before making a decision.
I really recommend you to read this book slowly, absorbing all the details of the story and be delighted with the plot, it will leave you breathless.
Ready for the “Fall”?
I think this is a quite unique story; mixing family secrets and mysteries on an intriguing complex in Deptford. The story is told between two different lines, and with two perspectives of the twins that had been estranged from a long time, Aaron and Clive. The one that is trying to demolish the building they grew up in and the one that can’t leave the past without trying to solve it, staying at the building. As you can imagine, things will not be simple, there will be some female twins involved in the story too that will make this book more profound than you can expect.
I have to admit that this story has surprised me, in some ways it is too close to home; two twin brothers that don’t know much about their father because their mother has always been secretive about him.
I really don’t want to talk much about the plot, I don’t want to reveal too much, any simple detail could make the story lose the spark.
Just one little thing, it’s amazing the detail the author has put on describing the building, with all the secret passages and mysterious places hidden in plain sight that only the architect knows, Clive and Aaron’s mother.
This story covers secrets, lies and racism; but also love, friendship and hope.
A story to make us remember that everything has too many sides and you always have to remember to check both sides before making a decision.
I really recommend you to read this book slowly, absorbing all the details of the story and be delighted with the plot, it will leave you breathless.
Ready for the “Fall”?
frombethanysbookshelf's review
4.0
Aaron and Clive might be twins, but that's where their similarities start and end. In the four decades since they last spoke, their lives have taken very different directions. Aaron is the lone remaining resident in the broken and derelict tower block they grew up in, the one their own mother designed. While Clive has gone on to be a success - wealthy and prosperous, and now a well-known property developer set on ripping down his childhood home.
The first time they'll see each other again is when Aaron tries to stop the development - but it's not just about the flats. It's about something deeper. Somewhere deep in the past, there was one beautiful summer that ended up being the brightest and darkest time of their lives, one where they first met another set of mysterious twins and one they've tried to forget but has been following them their whole lives …
Fall is an evocative and mesmerising exploration into family and history, into the monuments and the moments that create who we are and where we've come from. Immersive and descriptive, West Camel has clearly mastered the art of atmospheric writing, challenging the reader to take another look at the people and places they walk past every day.
A slow-burner full of tension and raw emotion, I wasn't sure initially about this story as it felt like not a lot was happening, but as the pages kept turning that became the beauty of the book. This story wasn't about what happens, it's about the people. It's about complex, flawed, awful, wonderful people and things that happen to them.
We walk along the characters paths as they learn about racism and privilege, about family, about betrayal and revenge, and about what it is to be human. And it has to be said, West Camel has managed to write about women and explore female independence and liberation in a respectful and thoughtful way that definitely has me intrigued about the rest of his writing.
Fall is a strikingly beautiful piece of literary fiction.
mitchk's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
A fast paced story - that really evokes the vibe of 1970s London - class and race dominating relations and communities. A really interesting exploration of how architecture tries to shape our experience of the city, our understanding of community and how its attempt to include / exclude. This is a well told story - that is gripping and will stay with me for a while!
amothersmusings1's review
slow-paced
4.0
Author West Camel’s debut novel ‘Attend’ was a spell binding and beautiful story with a hint of magic realism, so I was excited to be reading his latest book “Fall” knowing for sure it would be another rewarding and engaging story.
- Estranged brothers are reunited over plans to develop the tower block where they grew up, but the desolate estate becomes a stage for reliving the events of one life-changing summer, forty years earlier.
Set in the sweltering summer of 1976 which I remember quite well, this slow burner of a tale tells the story of two twin brothers, Aaron and Clive Goldsworthy and their single mother Zoe. As they move into a recently built London tower block designed by architect Zoe, they become friends with black twin girls of a similar age and form a unique friendship, before a single night in 1976 changes all of their lives forever.
Switching between then and the present day, I enjoyed reading how the events of 1976 still affected Aaron’s and Clive’s life today, learning that they are estranged and at opposite ends of the spectrum. West Camel has told a story of multi layered prejudice, love, grief and the struggle of a woman in a very male dominant world, where women did not overtake men in their career. Zoe was not a main character per se but it was her feelings and emotions that struck me the most and as a mother myself, I obviously related to her concerns and parenting issues.
“Fall” is very much a thought provoking journey of life through a time when racism was the norm, rather than just a novel about family life and it’s divide. This story is one of those books that come along that you’ll never forget and grips you from the first page. It moves along gradually without hurry and is a story I would recommend if literary family drama is your interest.
#FALL - 4 stars
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