Falling into Place by Amy Zhang (2014-09-09) Hardcover – 1762

When you die, who gets to tell your story is important. Everything you've done lives on through the voice of those you leave behind, and Liz's narrator offers unique insight into not only her life, but the lives of everyone Liz touched. The result is a resounding collection of prose that truly manages to touch your heart and make you feel insanely present in the lives of each character.The writing here resonates on so many levels. It's a deeply poignant approach to the events leading up to, during, and after Liz's crash, which completely immersed me in the experience. The non-linear timeline was a great device to create a fleshed-out story, that didn't leave me confused, but did leave me heart-broken.I'm astounded Amy Zhang wrote this in high school, because her words are a beautiful kind of poetry and the way she crafts her story is uniquely soulful.Liz is not a very nice person, but herein lies the problem when you try to hate her: Liz knows just how awful she is, and she's horribly lonely because of it. She does terrible things without real reason, but there's something about her that makes her compelling and incredibly sympathetic to read about.She feels remorse for everything she does, and yet she keeps doing these things. The fact that Zhang managed to make her such a likeable character, that I prayed desperately would survive, is a real credit to her writing.Of course, this is not just Liz's story. It's a story of all the lives she has influenced - some for the better, some for the worst - and the people that are changed by her accident. It's a spider-web of cause and effect that spirals into a timeless story with incredibly moving character journeys.This is a truly fascinating look at how we can influence so many people in so many ways, sometimes being fully aware of it, and sometimes never knowing just how much simply being alive changes the lives of others. This is a haunting début that emphasises the profound and raw emotion contemporary novels can carry.Favourite quote: "Liz Emerson held so much darkness within her that closing her eyes didn't make much of a difference at all."Overall rating: 5/5 little birdiesFor this and more reviews made of awesome, visit Little Birdie Books: www.littlebirdiebooks.uk

Brilliant book such a great read good quality arrived in time

The character's were extremely hard to warm to - I didn't find myself caring what happened to any of them. The writing isn't great and doesn't always flow, making it hard work to read. The ending isn't very clear and I don't quite understand it. Regret buying it if I'm honest, many better YA novels out there.

brilliant the whole concept is astoundingly good , Amy manages to.touch upon issues of adolescence sensitively yet deeply , a fantastic understanding read

good book,

Excellent

Lately, I have been excessively reading books on depression and suicide. As a sufferer and survivor, I find it insightful to read the words of authors who write them.When I first picked up this book, I wasn't expecting to be hit so hard. I thought it would just be another popular girl suffering through a dark spot. But Liz Emerson suffers.Zhang has written so powerfully about Liz's decline into depression. I wanted Liz to realise that yes, she had done terrible things, but she could atone for it. She could ask forgiveness and also realise that some had already given her it.The narration and prose of this book makes it even more perfect. Especially when you realise at the end who it really is that is giving us Liz's story.The path between past and present makes the book special. As we see the outsiders view of Liz compared to her own view of herself. It make you feel for her more deeply.The supporting characters are also heart wrenchingly beautiful. Especially when you see the struggles they are going through themselves.The ending was written perfectly. The excellent guessing game you have before you get to the epilogue.Well done, Miss Zhang. And thank you.

meh