BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver
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.
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.
MY THOUGHTS:
I wish this could be a one-word review. It'd say WOW.
This book really gets you thinking, in the best ways possible. How would you live your last day? Don't worry, Sam doesn't know either. She lets us, as readers, discover the answer with her. I think this is the aspect that I like most about Before I Fall. Nothing seems to just be told to us; you work through everything right along with Sam, not knowing if the outcomes will be good or bad or inbetween. And in this way, it's not like a book - it's like life. I really like that the feelings Sam's story evokes transcend just the story.
The book does drag. It has to, like a Groundhog Day scenario. But while I understand the necessity, it also bothers me. Sometimes I just wanted to get to the next part because scenes were too repetitive. The good news is the characters make up for the slow timing. At first, they're nothing special - just typical cliches. But Oliver takes them and puts a spin on the repetition that shows their development and their true selves. It's a lovely unfolding of sorts.
If anything, read for the realness that is Sam's world. You may learn something, and be glad for it.
In a nutshell: Striking, beautiful, thoughtful.
I really liked this book! Sam really annoyed me at the beginning of it, but by the end I was totally cheering for her. But I know what you mean about the scenes getting a little repetitive. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm SO glad that you liked this one so much! :D It makes me happy! I do see what you mean by some scenes being a bit repetitive, but I don't remember feeling like that. I do remember thinking that the characters (particularly Sam) were different enough that it made potentially repetitive scenes something new, so I'm glad that you mentioned that too!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, this is most definitely a book that makes you think a lot!
Oh good, we're not the only ones who haven't read this. :P
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Glad to know that it's worth slogging through the repetition -- and as you said, it's a necessity to the premise. We definitely have this in our TBR pile.
I love Lauren Oliver and I still need to read this. Glad you liked it, great review :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of amazing things about this one, but I think the repetition would really annoy me. Still, glad you enjoyed it - will definitely try to read this one day. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I gave this one a good enough shot. I gave up after a few pages, but perhaps I should try it again. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Powerful review, Alissa :)
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this one. I think I'm going to have to pick it up soon. Great choice!
ReplyDeleteAt first I hated Sam way too much. But she grew on me and then I fell in love with the book. It just makes you really think and hits you were it hurts. A whole range of emotions hit me in the gut the whole time I was reading it. Beautiful. Great review :)
ReplyDelete♥ Trish
Just a YA Girl