Before I Fall

Before I Fall
By Lauren Oliver
2010
470 pages

“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happened for me.”

Summary: Sam had it all; she was part of the popular group, she had a boyfriend, was incredibly popular and she was feared and adored by all. Friday, February 12 should have been just like any other day but after a wild party she and her friends get in a car accident, and when she wakes up...it’s Friday, February 12 again. Sam finds her self in a strange time loop that always ends the same. To end the cycle she’ll have to find the key to her death and she’ll get the chance to do things right, one more time.

Review: Before I Fall is a unique spin of the typical high school tale. What if you got the opportunity to do it all again, what would you change, and what would be of value? You might think that re-reading the same day over and over again would make for a slow read, but Oliver has created such an extraordinary main character that it’s hard to look away. The story is more about Sam’s grieving process and her self realization than it is about the days and the differences between them (but don’t worry the days are interesting in and of themselves). The book is fast paced and honest in its observations of cliques, bullying and how easy it is to go through life without noticing things. The novel’s strongest element is its ability to evoke emotion in the reader as it creates an unparalleled experience of hope. Hope that Sam will be able to fix it and hope that things can be better. Incredible writing, incredible characters, this book obviously comes highly recommended.

Also by Lauren Oliver: Delirium (Feb 2011)

If you liked Before I Fall, you might also enjoy: Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, How it Ends by Laura Wiess,

Author website: http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P3/4 O3.5/4 PP3.5/4 CR3.5/4
Grade Level Interest: S