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The Shock of the Fall Kindle Edition
***This book has also been published as Where the Moon Isn't.***
Winner of the 2013 Costa First Award
"A stunning novel. Ambitious and exquisitely realized . . . clearly the work of a major new talent." —S. J. Watson, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Go to Sleep
While on vacation with their parents, Matthew Homes and his older brother snuck out in the middle of the night. Only Matthew came home safely. Ten years later, Matthew tells us, he has found a way to bring his brother back...
What begins as the story of a lost boy turns into a story of a brave man yearning to understand what happened that night, in the years since, and to his very person. Unafraid to look at the shadows of our hearts, Nathan Filer's rare and brilliant debut The Shock of the Fall shows us the strength that is rooted in resilience and love.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSt. Martin's Press
- Publication dateFebruary 10, 2014
- File size3391 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“WHERE THE MOON ISN'T is a stunning novel. Ambitious and exquisitely realized, it's by turns shocking, harrowing and heartrending. The writing is so accomplished it's hard to believe it's a debut -- it's clearly the work of a major new talent.” ―S.J. Watson, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Go to Sleep
“A page-turner, tender and tragic, told in a vulnerable voice that steps in and out of madness. Vivid and haunting, I keep replaying this story in my mind, reliving it, long after having read the final page.” ―Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice and Love Anthony
“I have become an evangelist for Where the Moon Isn't. It won me heart and soul with it's crazy, wild, fine voice, its bravura, its ambition, its harrowing corners, and the dense rich tiny core of love at its glowing, radiant center. In Matthew's admittedly hard world, the tiniest kindnesses echo and amplify, returning to him larger and louder, until they each become glorious---huge bursts of such grace and truth that more than once, I had to stop reading and weep at the sheer hope-soaked beauty of it. I loved this book cover to cover and word by word; I want to give it to everyone I care for, and I want to keep it for myself to reread over and over. You will, too.” ―Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty
“Original and affecting. Filer's ability to capture Matthew's voice shows a special talent.” ―Heidi W. Durrow, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
“In the ruins of a family exploded by grief, a brilliant madman wrestles a narrative from his disintegrated life. What emerges is both quietly horrifying and surprisingly beautiful: a portrait of family love. Unsentimental, frank, and strange, Filer's narrator is the most likable nut since Kesey's ‘Chief.' He's funny and sad and mad, and he brought me through smiles to tears and back. What moved me the most however was not the tragedy at the story's center, but the sketches Filer draws around the edges: the mother losing her grip from holding too tight, the father stalwartly supporting his sons, the girl who stands up for what she has lost. Memories can destroy or redeem you, depending on how you recreate them. Who better to teach this lesson than a lunatic? I can't stop talking about this book. Looking for a fantastic read, a few laughs and a good cry? You've found it. Where The Moon Isn't is a fresh smart book with a big daft heart.” ―Lydia Netzer, author of Shine Shine Shine
“A terrific debut: engaging, funny and inventive.” ―Joe Dunthorne, author of Submarine
“A unique new voice, that in its humour, stark honesty and intriguing mix of bitterness and humanity will touch the hearts of every reader. A haunting, beautiful, unputdownable debut.” ―Abigail Tarttelin, author of Golden Boy
“Nathan Filer has done something special. It's rare that an author offers such an authentic and unflinching view into the mind of a character; Matthew Homes is as fully realized a protagonist as I have ever encountered. It won't take long for readers to fall in love.” ―Matthew Dicks, author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
“A heartfelt story of a family learning to pick up the pieces in the wake of tragedy . . . the voice always felt real and authentic. I ached for Matthew and his family and was thoroughly captivated by their story.
” ―Real Simple
“Skillfully done books transcend age categories. This helps explain the success of such books as 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower,' and the endurance of 'The Catcher in the Rye.' 'Where the Moon Isn't' is indeed skillfully done, with drama enough to lure teen readers and sophistication enough to keep adults entranced.” ―Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The story Filer tells is deeply affecting and insightful in its account of mental illness. And Matthew is a character the reader won't soon forget.” ―Booklist
“A startlingly authentic portrayal of the rigors and tribulations of navigating the modern health care landscape while struggling with mental illness . . . works on many levels - as family drama, as a searing indictment of Western health care and as a confession. A haunting story about how to mourn when the source of your grief will never go away.” ―Kirkus
“In this very assured debut, performance poet and mental-health nurse Filer shows that he knows what he's writing about. It should prove catnip to book group participants (especially those who loved Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and will appeal to anyone looking for a serious (but not ponderous) story that's impossible to put down. Readers might even end up seeing some similarities between their lives and the 'cut and paste kind of life' Matthew lives as a 'service user' in a National Health Service facility.” ―Library Journal, starred review
“A meditation on mental illness, a family drama and mystery, a coming-of-age story - all wrapped up in a caring, imaginative story about a boy and his brother.” ―Shelf Awareness, starred review
“This is a tale told beautifully in the innocent voice of a perennial child and misfit . . . Filer deftly paints a series of vignettes of Matthew's chaotic search for solace that successively unveils the mysteries surrounding his brother.” ―Washington Independent Review of Books
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B00ID8LEOM
- Publisher : St. Martin's Press; Reprint edition (February 10, 2014)
- Publication date : February 10, 2014
- Language : English
- File size : 3391 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 336 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #279,643 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #355 in British & Irish Literary Fiction
- #516 in Psychological Literary Fiction
- #2,006 in Sisters Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Nathan Filer is a qualified mental health nurse. The Shock of the Fall, his novel about the life of a young man grieving the loss of his brother, has sold over half a million copies in the UK, was a Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into thirty languages. It won The Costa Book of the Year, The Betty Trask Prize, The National Book Award for Popular Fiction and The Writers’ Guild Award for Best First Novel.
His book of non-fiction, The Heartland (also published as This Book Will Change Your Mind About Mental Health), was a Sunday Times Book of the Year and was longlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize. The charity, Rethink Mental Illness, named it as one of their ‘Mental Health Books of the Decade’.
He has written for the Guardian, New York Times and HuffPost. His BBC radio 4 documentary, The Mind in the Media, which explored portrayals of mental illness in fiction and journalism was shortlisted for a Mind Media Award. He’s currently a Reader in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book readable and insightful, providing an interesting perspective on mental illness. They praise the writing quality as well-crafted and easy to read. The story is described as compelling, poignant, and tragic. Readers appreciate the excellent character development and good portrayal of Matthew Homes. However, some feel the pacing is dull and depressing, making it not an enjoyable read.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book an engaging read that keeps their interest. They describe it as a quick and enjoyable story with a unique plot. The novel is described as a brave debut novel.
"...This is a very brave debut novel. Just in terms of the narrative style and structure...." Read more
"...interesting cameo characters (e.g. his mother and father) and it's worth a read...." Read more
"A great book that grabs you from the start and takes you along. Well written story of loss and mental illness." Read more
"...well, and deals with it so humorously and empathetically it is a delight to read. How can it fail to change each reader?..." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They appreciate the author's evocative narrative that allows them to see inside the mind of someone with mental illness. The book provides an accurate depiction of mental illness and grief, keeping readers interested even if it can be a bit slow at times.
"...becomes overcome with mental illness. Overall, it holds you interest, although sometimes it can be a little repetitive and sometimes a little hard..." Read more
"...Well written story of loss and mental illness." Read more
"...knows his subject well, and deals with it so humorously and empathetically it is a delight to read. How can it fail to change each reader?..." Read more
"The Shock of the Fall is a beautiful evocation of swirling ideas: anger, grief, guilt, joy, and recovery...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality of the book good. They say the author understands the subject well, and writes from his own experiences. The writing has an easy, enjoyable flow that's central. Readers are able to understand and empathize with the characters.
"...Wow. First of all, this is a super quick and easy read...." Read more
"...Well written story of loss and mental illness." Read more
"...The author clearly knows his subject well, and deals with it so humorously and empathetically it is a delight to read...." Read more
"...A superior storyteller who brings both hurt and healing together in a single fascinating narrative voice a reader can't help but root for." Read more
Customers find the story compelling, poignant, and real. They appreciate the well-crafted narrative style and structure. The plot builds nicely, and the author handles a tragic event with empathy. Readers describe the story as an endearing tale about a young man. While dealing with a complex subject, the book maintains an engaging simplicity while addressing difficult issues.
"...This is a very brave debut novel. Just in terms of the narrative style and structure...." Read more
"A great book that grabs you from the start and takes you along. Well written story of loss and mental illness." Read more
"This is an amazing book: one gets so involved in the story, it is hard to believe it isn't a memoir - which it isn't...." Read more
"...Shock of the Fall is a beautiful evocation of swirling ideas: anger, grief, guilt, joy, and recovery...." Read more
Customers enjoy the character development. They find the character study of Matthew Homes enjoyable and the characterization good. However, some felt the story did not engage them.
"...There are some interesting cameo characters (e.g. his mother and father) and it's worth a read...." Read more
"...(mental health problems) from his profession but manages to clearly describe characters as if writing a biography" Read more
"...It was well written and character driven." Read more
"finely drawn character study about dealing with grief and mental illness...." Read more
Customers enjoy the romance. They find it sweet, elegant, and simple.
"...But it's also by turns sweet, sad, warm, and honest in its consideration of illness and the bonds of family. An absorbing and surprising read...." Read more
"...Absolutely wonderful. Recommended for a good, short, sweet, yet painfully thoughtful story. I have a feeling this novel stays with you." Read more
"...The narration is absolutely chilling and poetically stunning. I would recommend this novel to anyone." Read more
"Dull, depressing, not for me, written well enough - but just dull and depressing." Read more
Customers find the book's pacing dull and depressing. They also mention it's not an enjoyable read, and that it seems self-pitying and whiney.
"...Raw, rough and profound. Not exactly an enjoyable read but one that I'll be thinking about for a long time." Read more
"...It is a sad book but a must read for someone who has mental, a parent of someone who has mental illness or a person working in the field." Read more
"...It all seemed so self-pitying and whiney." Read more
"Dull, depressing, not for me, written well enough - but just dull and depressing." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2014I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm ashamed to say it, but I'd been avoiding it just because I didn't find the cover appealing. It struck me as a little Fault in Our Stars-ish. But I decided to give it a chance since Filer is coming to the Edinburgh Book Festival and I had tickets to his events.
Wow. First of all, this is a super quick and easy read. I blew through the book in two days and probably could have done it in one, but I forced myself to put it down so I could savor the experience.
This is a very brave debut novel. Just in terms of the narrative style and structure. The narrator/protagonist is a man struggling with severe mental illness and a traumatic childhood experience. So the novel is this protagonist documenting his story, consequently the text includes varying typeface, drawings, etc to depict the way this narrator sees and expresses his world. Like I said, it's a very brave style for a debut novel, but it creates such an authentic voice.
It's a heartbreaking story and I can't reveal much more without spoiling it. The ending is perhaps a tad "deflated" after the suspense of the story, but it does make perfect sense for the character.
Overall, very satisfying read.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2014This is a strange story about a boy who feels guilty about the death of his brother and who (as a result?) becomes overcome with mental illness. Overall, it holds you interest, although sometimes it can be a little repetitive and sometimes a little hard to follow.
There are some interesting cameo characters (e.g. his mother and father) and it's worth a read.
(I read this on the Kindle and would encourage the use of the standard fonts, as the author uses typeface in a number of places to enhance the story.)
- Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2014A great book that grabs you from the start and takes you along. Well written story of loss and mental illness.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014This is an amazing book: one gets so involved in the story, it is hard to believe it isn't a memoir - which it isn't. The author clearly knows his subject well, and deals with it so humorously and empathetically it is a delight to read. How can it fail to change each reader? The reality check is that whatever the affliction, hard work, humour, love and understanding will triumph. Perhaps Nathan Filer's next book will be the next instalment of this story - I hope so!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022Very interesting book, I know so little about schizophrenia, treatment and how it effects their lives and others close to them. Authors work in that area and his writing put a much needed light on the subject for me.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2019The Shock of the Fall is a beautiful evocation of swirling ideas: anger, grief, guilt, joy, and recovery. Filer's organizing strategy captures Matthew's frenetic mind while creating a highly readable, engaging air of suspense. A superior storyteller who brings both hurt and healing together in a single fascinating narrative voice a reader can't help but root for.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2014I did not enjoy this book. The story was unique but slow. Was sometimes hard to follow. I didn't enjoy the main character.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2017This book provides some insight into mental illness and the issues of dealing with it among the patients, families, and care providers and also points out many of the shortcomings of our current system. It follows the life of a young man afflicted with schizophrenia and how his illness is manifested, the care he gets, and how his family is affected. To me it is well-written in the sense that the pace changes constantly as he is in and out of reality, making me feeling off-balance and in and out as well at times.
Top reviews from other countries
- AlyssaReviewed in Canada on April 2, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Love the book. Arrived in great timing, too. Good buy!
-
Yaneth Celina Esparza NúñezReviewed in Mexico on September 22, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Yaneth Esparza
Excelente. Un libro escrito desde la mente de un adolescente esquizofrenico que nos muestra el mundo confuso en el cual se vive la enfermedad. Con cada pagina y brinco en la mente de Matt aprendes a valorar su corazon y el amor por su hermano Simon al cual, sin llegar a conocer se le ama desde la primer pagina gracias a Matt. Este libro sin duda deberia estar en cada uno de los corazones de quienes amamos.
The shock of the fall nos presenta la terrible interrogante de nuestra vida "quien realmente tiene la razon y quien padece de cierta locura" y la mas profunda de todas "estarias dispuesto a renunciar a la felicidad para mantenerte en un mundo cuerdo o prefieres ser feliz en un mundo dominado por la locura"
Indispensable llegar a leerlo alguna vez.
- Suraiya KhanReviewed in India on October 3, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow of a book! And yes it one that doesn't make sense but is the most sensible of all. Don't believe me read the Synopsis...
First of all that matters, thank you amazon for the lovely bookmarks, I sincerely was not expecting that to pop up in the package.
Now, onwards to the review
Have I ever read a book as such, no I haven't.
This book will make no sense until midway and that's the best thing about it.
It is from the voice of a young man of around 19, then 9 then 21 and also 18,
The split personality of Matthew is witnessed because he has a mental health problem, try to figure it out for yourself, my opinion DONT
This isn't your cute contemporary read.
It's brave and raw...........
As you see this book is difficult, but the writer has told a very difficult story in a way that is so interesting that I didn't see myself leaving this book without tears or irritated but longing gasps.......
Also, now that you are intrigued, I advice that you set your mood right before reading this book and choose the perfect timings. This book is unusual so be prepared and I wish you good luck as you travel through Matthew with his ideologies.................
-
ManonReviewed in France on September 16, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Une histoire très touchante bourrée d'authenticité
Le thème de la maladie mentale peut faire peur. Personnellement, elle me fascine en quelque sorte. J'ai envie de savoir comme ça se passe dans leur tête, comment ils vivent, et comment vivent leur proche. Peut-être que j'aurais dû faire psycho. Liphéo, j'arrive, je viens avec toi.
Matthew perd son frère à l'âge de 9 ans, et va devoir faire face au deuil et à la schizophrénie.
Les premières pages, déjà, et l'émotions m'a saisie. Elle m'a saisie dans les fourmis, et les boîtes de gâteaux. C'est vous dire! Elle m'a saisie dans chaque mot, chaque lettre, chaque tournure de phrase.
The Shock of the Fall est écrit avec une beauté totalement fantastique et inattendue, mais aussi et surtout avec amour.
L'amour se ressent à travers chacun des personnages. Chaque personne regorge d'amour et de tendresse, et j'ai été totalement attendrie par l'amour de Matthew - le protagoniste - envers son frère, et inversement. Par l'amour de ses parents pour leur enfant. L'amour de leur grands-parents. De son ami Jacob, des infirmières ... J'ai été touchée par l'attachement et la tendresse, malgré la culpabilité, les fissures, et la maladie.
“If people think you're MAD, then everything you do, everything you think, will have MAD stamped across it.” 2
The Shock of the Fall fait ressortir une grande franchise et une grande honnêteté. Une vérité qu'on devine, et qu'on sait, sur les conséquences de la maladie. On apprend à connaître Matthew, à le découvrir en même temps qu'il se découvre lui même, et son lui à 6 ans, son lui à 9 ans, et pour finir son futur lui. Il est coincé entre le passé et le présent, entre le réel et l'imaginaire, dans la schizophrénie. Et moi, j'étais coincée avec lui. En lisant chaque page, j'ai ressentis quelque chose de très inédit, et de spectaculaire : je me suis sentie très à fleur de peau. Et lorsque je refermais le roman - ce qui était assez rare, j'étais de nouveau moi.
J'ai été surprise par la fin, qui finalement, m'a beaucoup plus plu que ce que j'aurais pu imaginer. The Shock of the Fall est un gros coup de coeur regorgeant de montagnes russes d'émotions.
Ce que j'ai le moins aimé : Je ne comprends pas cette phrase.
Ce que j'ai le plus aimé : Les émotions coulant de la plume de Nathan Filer.
- J. L. DeanReviewed in Germany on September 9, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Such charm, such tragedy
The narrative voice of this book is what pulls you along. The central character has an unmistakeable charm that makes you warm to him despite the tragic events he describes. However the real tragedy unfolds slowly and strikes home with all the more force because of the humorous and matter-of-fact style in which it is alluded to. An important book in that it describes mental illness without the usual tabloid emotion. Highly recommended.