The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

An original expression of all too familiar themes: how one young man tries to cope​ with grief, guilt and the anguish that follows.

​Ten years ago a disabled boy died from an accident. His older brother, also a child at the time, blames himself, although the incident is not revealed until the end of the book. Besides his remorse he also misses his little brother as he says "I think you're going to like him."

At times this is a difficult story to follow, not because it is a complex tale - far from it - but because the confused perspective of the person telling the story. It is not linear and he sees events differently on each occasion he revisits memories. He tries various ways to deal with his emotions, including the use of drugs and psychiatric help. The text includes drawings and changes in font, which add to the disjointed mental state. 

Told in the first person, this could be a depressing tale as the narrator slides into mental illness. But it isn't always that way. There is wit and good humour as the youthful, chatty narrative keeps the reader engaged even through the slow institutionalised sections. His aim is to find a way of living with the past and letting go, while honouring his brother's memory and living his own life. A sensitive and compelling book, set in places around Bristol.

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Published by HarperCollins on 9 May 2013.

WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR 2013 
WINNER OF THE SPECSAVERS POPULAR FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014  
​WINNER OF THE BETTY TRASK PRIZE 2014

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