Scan barcode
A review by bethanymiller415
The Fall by James Preller
3.0
The Fall is the story of the aftermath of a teen’s suicide from the point of view of a boy who was one of the victim’s few friends as well as one of her tormentors. Sam was one of many people who posted anonymous hateful comments about Morgan online. Morgan had pissed off the wrong girl – no one quite remembers what she did – and had to pay the price by becoming a target for the entire school. Sam was her friend in private but refused to acknowledge her in public, and he didn’t do anything to help even when he saw that she was struggling. After her death, Sam reflects on their relationship and wrestles with the guilt that he feels for all that he did and didn’t do.
At just under 200 pages, this slim novel has short chapters interspersed with poems that make it a quick if weighty read. The sparse language is well suited to the grim subject matter of grief, blame, and guilt. Sam is a realistic character who teens will relate to. He goes along with the online bullying of Morgan out of a sense of social expectation, not because he dislikes her or has anything to gain from torturing her. Because he knows that openly associating with her will make him a social pariah, he chooses to keep their relationship a secret, a fact that is not lost on Morgan. The Fall deals with the consequences or bullying and suicide in a way that is fresh and thought provoking. Recommended for fans of intense realistic fiction such as Thirteen Reasons Why and the novels of Laurie Halse Anderson.
Genre: Realistic
Grades: 7-12
Literary Value: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Recommended
At just under 200 pages, this slim novel has short chapters interspersed with poems that make it a quick if weighty read. The sparse language is well suited to the grim subject matter of grief, blame, and guilt. Sam is a realistic character who teens will relate to. He goes along with the online bullying of Morgan out of a sense of social expectation, not because he dislikes her or has anything to gain from torturing her. Because he knows that openly associating with her will make him a social pariah, he chooses to keep their relationship a secret, a fact that is not lost on Morgan. The Fall deals with the consequences or bullying and suicide in a way that is fresh and thought provoking. Recommended for fans of intense realistic fiction such as Thirteen Reasons Why and the novels of Laurie Halse Anderson.
Genre: Realistic
Grades: 7-12
Literary Value: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Recommended