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A review by jjfey
The Fall by May Archer
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Book Review: The Fall by May Archer
This is the story of Everett and Silas, two men grappling with loss and grief, finding love, and healing in the small, charming town of O’Leary.
Everett is grieving the loss of his husband and relocates to O’Leary to live with his grandpa, Hen. Let’s just say his arrival is less “fresh start” and more “literal stumble through the woods.” Case in point:
“I limped over to collect my cat and started walking toward O’Leary because there was really nothing else to do. The only way out of the woods, literally and metaphorically, was through them.”
Hen, the grumpy grandpa, is a standout character. That heartwarming conversation they had left a mark on me.
Then there’s the quintessential small-town charm of O’Leary:
“O’Leary was a permanent sort of place. A Pumpkin-Festival and Christmas carols sort of place.”
May Archer’s writing is sharp and heartfelt. One of my favourite lines:
“My stomach was full of pancakes, my head was full of doubt, and my heart was thrumming like a hummingbird’s wings even though I wasn’t capable of fighting or fleeing at the moment if my life depended on it.”
There are so many gorgeous moments, but this one, when Silas talks about Matty’s artistry, just broke me:
“I’ve never been as good at anything as he was at drawing. Everyone said he had a gift, but I thought… I thought he was a gift.”
It’s not all tears, though - there’s humour, clever banter, and a wonderfully crafted mystery subplot.
Clever, funny, sweet, emotional, and well-written - this has earned a spot as one of my new favourites. I’m so glad I savoured this buddy read with @boysfromthebookshelf. Having time to let it all sink in made the experience even better.
If you’re after a book that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon in equal measure, The Fall is a must-read.
The basics:
Dual, first person pov
Medium angst
Medium burn
Audiobook narrated by Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma
What to expect:
Action
Cop x art teacher
Grief x2
Hurt/comfort
Mystery
Pet cat
References to the world of the boy wizard
Small town
Violence (on-page, mild)
This is the story of Everett and Silas, two men grappling with loss and grief, finding love, and healing in the small, charming town of O’Leary.
Everett is grieving the loss of his husband and relocates to O’Leary to live with his grandpa, Hen. Let’s just say his arrival is less “fresh start” and more “literal stumble through the woods.” Case in point:
“I limped over to collect my cat and started walking toward O’Leary because there was really nothing else to do. The only way out of the woods, literally and metaphorically, was through them.”
Hen, the grumpy grandpa, is a standout character. That heartwarming conversation they had left a mark on me.
Then there’s the quintessential small-town charm of O’Leary:
“O’Leary was a permanent sort of place. A Pumpkin-Festival and Christmas carols sort of place.”
May Archer’s writing is sharp and heartfelt. One of my favourite lines:
“My stomach was full of pancakes, my head was full of doubt, and my heart was thrumming like a hummingbird’s wings even though I wasn’t capable of fighting or fleeing at the moment if my life depended on it.”
There are so many gorgeous moments, but this one, when Silas talks about Matty’s artistry, just broke me:
“I’ve never been as good at anything as he was at drawing. Everyone said he had a gift, but I thought… I thought he was a gift.”
It’s not all tears, though - there’s humour, clever banter, and a wonderfully crafted mystery subplot.
Clever, funny, sweet, emotional, and well-written - this has earned a spot as one of my new favourites. I’m so glad I savoured this buddy read with @boysfromthebookshelf. Having time to let it all sink in made the experience even better.
If you’re after a book that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon in equal measure, The Fall is a must-read.
The basics:
Dual, first person pov
Medium angst
Medium burn
Audiobook narrated by Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma
What to expect:
Action
Cop x art teacher
Grief x2
Hurt/comfort
Mystery
Pet cat
References to the world of the boy wizard
Small town
Violence (on-page, mild)