In concept, THE WAY WE FALL is like a cross between LIFE AS WE KNEW IT (diary format, isolation) and THE THINGS THAT KEEP US HERE by Carla Buckley (flu-like pandemic). It’s apocalyptic, but Kaelyn’s pragmatic voice and the diary format shield us from a truly contagious sense of panic.
Despite hitting some familiar beats of epidemic fiction (looting, violence, characters close to main character dying, dwindling supplies, etc), the narrative still manages to feel fresh. This is partly because of the nature of the disease explored here – one which causes its victims to become overly social and dispense with inhibitions. Kaelyn writes of her encounters with the infected and what they (over)share with her – often about her own shortcomings. It’s like looking at the main character through the prism of a funhouse mirror.
I was also fascinated by trying to figure out how reliable of a narrator Kaelyn was considering she was writing to a best friend she also seemed to be in love with. Was she writing with the intention of him reading it someday and therefore minimizing her encounters with another love interest? (Or exaggerating them to make him jealous?) Was she writing nice things about his new girlfriend to keep the peace? Maybe I’m crazy, but these are the types of things I think about while reading.
THE WAY WE FALL is not especially driven by action, but nonetheless it had me at the edge of my seat and it made me care. It comes out January 24, 2012. Find out more about it at the author’s website.
Zombie chickens say: Compelling character study of a girl caught up in an epidemic.
The author has her own song for the Ultimate Dystopian Playlist (see her interview), but I thought I'd chose one too: The World Has Turned and Left Me Here by Weezer. Sample lyric: “And in your place an empty space has filled the void behind my face.”
See index of all dystopian reviews on Presenting Lenore
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10 comments:
I'm really looking forward to reading this one! :)
Sounds like a unique take on the genre. Can't wait to dig in.
The pandemic aspect sounds fascinating, as do some of the the questions that were popping into your mind as you read. I wonder if I would be asking myself the same questions?
I've heard wonderful things about this one, and not just from our shared agent. Can't wait to read it!
Sounds interesting. I don't usually read diary narratives, but I'm willing to try again, especially when it's so different than what I'm used to. Thanks for sharing!
This one sounds interesting..never heard of it! Will be adding this to my TBR list!
I really like the look of this one but I've yet to find a dairy style narrative I really like, maybe I just need a zombie type outbreak to really enjoy them?
I've known some people with that disease. The book sounds really good!
I really enjoyed this one too, I just haven't reviewed it yet. :) I hadn't considered the effect her intended audience might have on her writing - nice point!
My approval for this one finally came though on Net Galley last week. I'm going to have to read it quick to see where my opinion falls.
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