Name: The Shock of the Fall
Author: Nathan Filer
Publisher: Harper Collins
Star Rating: * * * *
‘I’ll tell you what happened
because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name’s Simon. I
think you’re going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he’ll be
dead. And he was never the same after that.’
It’s true, Simon never was quite the same after that. Not in a
he’s-gone-forever kind of way, but in more of a he-never-left kind of way.
After a tragic childhood accident that led to the death of the young boy, Simon
stuck around in the mind of his younger brother, Matthew, and on the occasions
that he did leave it was never for very long.
This beautifully written story follows the life of Matthew Holmes and
his spiralling descent into mental illness. Upon reading, I was struck by the
normality of Matthew’s character. Schizophrenia as a disease is accompanied by
so much stigma, and I applaud Nathan for writing Matthew with a rich
personality. Matthew isn’t portrayed as a madman, but as a nineteen year old
man who is suffering from a terrible illness. It’s clear that Matthew is not a
fool, although he isn’t always quite in touch with reality either.
Simon has a voice inside
Matthew’s head. His death was the trigger for a lifetime of guilt and an
illness that was sitting only a few branches up in the family tree. Mental illness
happens. It happens to ordinary people, living ordinary lives, and this book
delivers that message home.
As well as being wonderfully written, I want to take a moment to
appreciate this book’s beautiful design. For one, the cover is gorgeous (it’s
just so shiny) and it really stands out on a bookshelf.
Matthew is writing his own story, in different locations while using different tools and mediums. This is captured visually through the text itself, his font switching a computer and a typewriter. The inclusion of letters and drawings also adds to the telling of the story, and I can easily visualise the stack of papers building up as Matthew continues to write and compile his life.
Matthew is writing his own story, in different locations while using different tools and mediums. This is captured visually through the text itself, his font switching a computer and a typewriter. The inclusion of letters and drawings also adds to the telling of the story, and I can easily visualise the stack of papers building up as Matthew continues to write and compile his life.
Matthew is in and out of hospital and in and out of touch with reality.
With each page we learn more about his struggles, but also about the treatment
of severe mental illness in 21st century. The author has done a
wonderful job at tackling such a sensitive topic, and as a registered mental
health nurse, Nathan’s years of practical experience are clear within the words
that he has written.
The Shock of the Fall
is a fantastic debut novel. It is a haunting, insightful and enjoyable read.
