REVIEW: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Review by Kate.

“What if you had only 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: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day 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.”

I found this book very thought-provoking. At first, Sam isn’t a likeable main character. She seems stuck up and her group of friends bully the people in their school who are less popular than them. However, as the novel goes on, Sam becomes more human and it becomes clear why she acts the way she does.

As Sam’s death day gets replayed, the events of the day start to fall into place and the people she encounters are connected in more ways than the reader expects. It might be the same day described seven times, but there’s always something different going on.

Sam tries to find ways out of replaying her day, sometimes trying to change things so that she can’t be in the car accident that kills her and sometimes trying to get in one last day with her family. It gives her closure, even though she knows that the people she’s spent time with won’t remember what happened the next day.

All the time I was reading, I was wondering about the ending. I was imagining two possible endings in my head, both would’ve brought the story to a close but I felt that they wouldn’t have been right. The ending that Oliver wrote was not quite either of the ones I was imagining and brought the story to a satisfying close.

Overall I thought this book was very well-written and an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher and anyone who is a fan of the film “Groundhog Day”. Thought-provoking and not quite like anything I’ve read before.

Review by Kate

Comments

[Sophie]

Great review, Kate! I really enjoyed this and I completely agree with you about Sam.

[Jo]

Awesome review, Kate! I've not yet read this book, but it sounds so good! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review!

[Kate]

Thanks for the nice comments, glad you both liked my review :)

[Becky The Bookette]

Before I Fall sounds so interesting. How many times do we get the chance to change the mistakes that we make? I really like Groundhog Day. It makes me laugh but this book sounds much deeper and emotionally charged. Great review.

[Bookalicious Ramblings]

I agree, this is an amazing book and rather thought-provoking indeed! I loved it and I'm sorely tempted to read it again! :D