Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

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Before I Fall
Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication date: October 25th 2011
by HarperCollins

What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death–and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing

-This novel was listened to via audiobook-
 
Having heard numerous incredible reviews on this novel, I have finally jumped the this bandwagon and checked out what it was all about. Not disappointed in the least, this is one (rare) instance where my expectations has lived up to the hype. Before I Fall is a moving story of a girl who died, but she gets a second chance to make things right.

Samantha Kingston is the type of girl you either hate, or you’re jealous of, in high school. She’s pretty, popular, dating the hottest guy in school, and seems to be living the perfect life all around–until she isn’t that is. After the accident that takes her life, Samantha wakes up the very same morning, again, and again… and again. Reliving the same day over and over is not a plot that hasn’t been done before, but it’s the one that harbours the most emotion I’ve encountered. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. The 5 stages of grief is something very real that Samantha goes through in this novel. And as much as this book surrounds her death, I believe it’s actually about someone else’s death. A someone she comes to know through these relivings, who she’s slowly beginning to understand, to grieve for, and who, in the end, changes her completely. I loved how every day, a day that is essentially the exact same, something completely different comes about. It’s a new experience every time where we see a new perspective of the same story, a different side of people Sam thought she knew. Changing just one little thing can alter so much, it was really an incredible journey; complex and all-consuming.

The writing is what makes this novel so potent. It’s truly flawless, the way the characters are crafted into real people with real emotions that sucks you in and never lets go. It’s amazing how every single relationship in this novel, be it between friends, sisters, mother daughter, or even two people you would never expect, is filled with love. It makes you grieve even more for the people she’s leaving behind. Every giggle tore at my heart, every kiss came with never-ending longing. If there was ever a novel to call bittersweet, this would be the one. How often do you experience new love in a book that makes you thoroughly happy, giddy, butterflies and all, while at the same time you want to burst into tears? How a writer can create such powerful dynamics, can put into words such timeless messages while at it, is something worthy of praise. Her words are palpable, the emotions vivid, and as sad as it is, you will come out of this novel with nothing more than a feeling of fulfillment. Samantha, in death, learns to be a better person, learns that it’s never too late to make things right; in death, she learns to live!

A ticking time-bomb of a book that lingers in your heart for a very long time, Before I Fall is a masterpiece in words. Brimming with meaning and depth, I urge you to pick this one up! Just pick it up, and never look back!

5 Hot Espressos

 

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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38 Responses to “Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver”

  2. Jennifer Messerschmidt

    This was such an amazing book! I cried like crazy. I loved that each day we got to see a different side to people. That by trying to change things each day was completely different and she learned something about herself and others. The ending! I still can’t believe that!

  3. Jasprit

    Giselle I’ve had this book on my radar for ages now, but I think I’ve just been to scared to give it a try! I like my fair share of raw and emotional novels and I think I will just have to toughen up and pick it up already. As it’s clear from your review, I’m missing out on a beautiful novel! Lovely review! 🙂

  4. Christina

    Samantha was definitely the kind of person I hated in high school. Reading this book was almost physically painful, but the writing saved it. I want Lauren Oliver to write another contemporary (ish) book!

  5. Micheline D

    Ahhhh beautifully written review Giselle ♥! As much as I don’t read many contemporaries this one I have been considering for awhile…if only because it’s written by Lauren Oliver. I think there is enough of a twist with her reliving the same day over and over to make me feel like I’m reading something fantastical. I just loved the sound of every detail your brought up so I am definitely going to check this book out now 🙂 Thanks!!

  6. Michelle

    This has been on my TBR on Goodreads since forever. It’s actually #2 on there, that’s how long it’s been on there!! I haven’t read it bc I was scared that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. It seems like people either love this one or hate it. I like your review and I usually like books you like, so I’m going to read it! Thanks!

  8. Lauren

    Oh this is one of my favorite books, ever. This story really got to me, and the writing is wonderful. I think is still my favorite Lauren Oliver book.

    “Every giggle tore at my heart, every kiss came with never-ending longing.” <—YES, this is exactly how I felt when I read this! It's been a few years, but I remember feeling simultaneously elated and devastated for Sam with each new experience during that day, because no matter how sweet, they're all shadowed by tragedy.

    Beautiful review!

  12. Megan K.

    I’ve been dying to read BEFORE I FALL for a long time. I adored Oliver’s DELIRIUM series, so any book by her is on my auto-buy list! Really happy that you enjoyed it. I agree – it isn’t all the time we read books like these that are both beautiful and raw and emotional at the same time. Hope I’ll be able to get my hands on this soon!

    Lovely review as always, Giselle. 🙂

  14. Molli

    What a beautiful review, Giselle! I’ve read this one twice now, and it gutted me deep down both times. I never thought I’d like Samantha, but I REALLY did, and that’s what hurt, you know, cheering for her, knowing what the book is about. It’s just one of those very, very rare books that CHANGES you in some small way as you read it. I just adore how you described your experience with it, and I’m SO SO happy you liked it!

  15. Bailey

    I have heard so many people rave about this book and the authors other series! I don’t know why I haven’t read it yet. I want to so badly but never seem to pick up a copy!! You’re review makes me want to go buy a copy ASAP! Fantastic review! Hoping to get to this one soon. 🙂

  17. Sam

    I’m so glad you have this one a shot, Giselle! It’s one of my favourites. 🙂 I agree about Lauren Oliver’s writing. It worked so perfectly in this book and it was probably the main reason why I fell in love with this as well as I did. I still have a bitter taste in my mouth after the end of Requiem, so I think maybe a re-read of this one is in order to remind myself why I was originally drawn to this author’s books. 😉

    Great review!

  18. Mel@Thedailyprophecy

    I was afraid to pick this one up. I didn’t fell in love with Delirium and I’ve heard SO many good things. I thought I might ended up being disappointed, but seeing this review and your rating.. I’m definitely going to pick it up soon. I love the concept and the fact that the relationships are so well-written and filled with emotions.

  19. Amy

    Yay! I’m so glad that you loved this!! I really did too. OMG the audiobook was fantastic wasn’t it?!! I absolutely love Lauren Oliver’s writing and I will read anything that she puts out!!

  20. Millie

    I still haven’t read this book yet! I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book, and every tells me how raw and emotional it was, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. I should probably get on reading this soon, right? Fantastic review!
    Cheers!

    Millie @ Millie D’s Words

  21. Aman

    Great review, Giselle! I’ve had this book for a long time and I really need to read this. Every time I read the premises, I feel like I’ll hate Samantha but I’d just have to risk it and see how it goes.

  23. Rose

    Great review! The frst thing on my list to read by Lauren Oliver is Delirium but I think Before I Fall will be next. I was afraid you were going to say it didn’t live up to the hype but I’m glad you didn’t. I think the idea of living a day over again vcould be good if it’s not handled inb a clichéd way like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and it sounds like this one’s done well.

  25. Tammy

    This is one of my favorite books. In fact it’s been awhile since I’ve read it and reading your review makes me want to read it again.

  26. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    Wow, I read this like two years ago and really loved it. At the time, I hadn’t read another book like it. I thought it might be repetitive and boring, her relieving it for 7 days but Lauren Oliver made it work. And yes, her writing is just beautiful!

  27. Jenni @ Alluring Reads

    Yes Yes YES! This novel is by far one of my favorites of all time. I loved the writing, the characters, and the plot just worked perfectly. I liked how even though it was monotonous it never ever felt that way. I’m so happy that you ended up loving this one just as much as I did. And I agree about it being about someone else’s death. I loved the progression Samantha went through in light of that and it served as a vehicle to really enhance her character in my eyes.

  30. Candace

    Yes! I’m glad this lived up to the hype. I read it when it first came out and loved it but now I don’t hear much about it since its been out for awhile.

  32. Jennifer Bielman

    There is not one bad review I have seen for this book. You make the writing seem magical. I love the concept and it seems like the author really knows how to bang out an amazing story.

  34. Renae M.

    I haven’t read this book, but I obviously need to! The concept of reliving the same day over and over again is really fascinating and worthwhile, and I’ve heard fabulous things about Oliver’s prose. Plus, as a die-hard Courtney Summers fan, I LOVE books about mean girls in high school. 😉

  35. Cindy

    I love Lauren Oliver, but I have yet to pick this one up. In fact, when I got the chance to meet the author and she was signing my copy of Before I Fall, she warned me that Sam is someone I would hate…at first. Glad to hear this one lived up to your expectations. I am dying to check out the flawless writing you speak of (but I really love Oliver’s writing, so I don’t expect anything less.) Great review 🙂

  36. Amanda

    I have heard a lot of hype for this book as well. I’m glad you feel like it lives up to it! I enjoyed Delirium but didn’t love it, and so far I have not been too interested in continuing with the series. It sounds like perhaps this book is where Oliver really showcases her beautiful prose and strong writing. I will definitely need to read this at some point soon!

  38. Amy

    Great review. This is one of my favorite books, and the audiobook narrated by Sarah Drew is amazing. Definitely worth a read, and a listen. (I have already listened to it at least 3 times) 🙂