Before the Fall; Noah Hawley
Grand Central Publishing - 2016
Robert Petkoff - Narrator
Robert Petkoff - Narrator
Definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, Before the Fall, begins with the plane crash of a private jet headed to NYC from Martha's Vineyard. Except for the crew, one passenger, and bodyguards, the other passengers were all wealthy people of influence. Just 16 minutes into the flight the plane plunges into the ocean and only two individuals survive.
Scott Burroughs is a struggling artist who normally takes the ferry from Martha's Vineyard to NYC. On this particular day he is invited on the flight by Mrs. Bateman, an acquaintance. After the plane crashes Scott and JJ. Bateman, the four year old son of the CEO of a major news affiliate are the only survivors. Scott, a strong swimmer, is able to save JJ, however, his parents and older sister are among the casualties.
The rest of the novel is a wonderfully plotted narrative about the passengers, crew and next of kin of little JJ. As the stories surrounding the other passengers unfold, there is speculation about the cause of the crash and whether a bomb was involved.
The news media, as they often do, make a media circus out of this tragedy and, Scott's life is turned upside down. He is judged and accused by others based on speculation. I must admit I couldn't stop thinking about John F. Kennedy Jr. as I read. If you recall his private plane also crashed over Martha's Vineyard, 17 years ago this coming Saturday.
This is a suspenseful story with excellent character development and page turning plot. I suspected this was going to be a perfect read for me but, I must say I was kind of disappointed the way the story played out in the end. I still encourage you to try this one, a great summer read.
4.5/5 stars
(audio & eGalley)
I just got this one back on my Kindle. I was going to wait to read it but I am on a roll with great summer books so I am going to get going on this one. You made it sound too good.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it a lot and the ending did not really affect my enjoyment.
DeleteI have this one but have no idea when I'll get to it. I've seen so many glowing reviews about it, but this is the first I've heard anything about the ending (good or disappointing). I hope to get to this one before the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteThe ending seemed a bit lazy to me but, I still loved the story.
DeleteWe got some free kindle credits so that sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeleteI think you guys would enjoy this one,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it lived up to the hype!
ReplyDeletey review is going up next week. I really liked this one too and was also disappointed a bit in the end. I loved the judgement on the 24 hours news cycle and saw similarities between the fictional Bill and the one on TV :)
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing so many good things about this book and plan to read it soon. Plane crashes though - always makes me nervous to read about them in fiction.
ReplyDeleteThis was good for me as well.
ReplyDeleteOne of my reading groups is reading this in August. I am glad to know that it is good!
ReplyDeleteA lot of buzz about this one - I'm glad to see that you liked it. And John Kennedy Jr was my first thought when I saw this book. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad that the end didn't quite live up to the rest of the book but it does sound like a good read. I've heard a lot of buzz for this one and it's good to know that for the most part it lives up to it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started reading your review, JFK is the first thing that popped into my mind. This sounds like an intriguing idea and I may pick up.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a 'not to be missed' book. I tend to avoid books with plane crashes, but you never know...
ReplyDeleteI liked this one a lot, too, but agree that the ending was disappointing.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading your review, the JFK Jr tragedy crossed my mind, so it was interesting that you also mentioned it. I don't know why, but so many authors seem to have such trouble with endings. I'll end up really enjoying a book and then feeling irritated with the ending.
ReplyDeleteYes I liked this novel too. I thought the beginning was the strongest, and end the weakest. But was still worth while.
ReplyDeleteI think you liked this more than I did. I thought the ending fell a bit short of my expectations. BTW, I read most of the book while flying to and from Oregon and Washington! I was surprised it didn't freak me out! :)
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