The author weaves an intricate web of a tale in this one. An inside look at the ridiculously wealthy. A whodunit you won't solve until the end. A protagonist who is just like us, but gets caught in a media nightmare. This book is so good!

Reviewed 5/2/16

It is a typical summer evening when a group of people gather at a small airport, waiting to leave Martha's Vineyard on a private plane, eager to get back to the city. The passengers are wealthy and privileged. Except for Scott - Scott is a painter just trying to get by and was lucky enough to be offered a ride back to the city. The thought of avoiding weekend traffic was very appealing to Scott, so he accepts the offer. They aren't in the air long when something goes horribly wrong and the plane falls from the sky. Scott and a four-year-old little boy are the only survivors. All of a sudden Scott is thrown into the spotlight in a way he never thought possible. People are questioning his survival, they are questioning his presence on the plane, they are questioning his heroic efforts to save the young son, and only living heir, of some very wealthy people. In the days after the crash things start to intensify, but will they ever find out what happened to cause the plane to just fall out of the sky?

Before the Fall is one of those books that I have been hearing about for months. Now I see why. Noah Hawley takes his readers on a doozy of a ride. As a reader, you know the plane crashed, you know that Scott and JJ survived. But in a series of flashbacks you get to know the other passengers on the plane. Like one of the men is on the verge of being indicted by the SEC. And JJ's older sister was once kidnapped and held for three days until a very large ransom was paid. And one of the pilots once had a fling with one of the Flight Attentendents. Scott seems like a decent guy who got caught in the drama that comes with a little adorable orphaned boy and his billions. With each passing day, it is easy for the reader to also get caught up in the drama, but you are desperate to find who was behind the plane crash. I was a little disappointed with the big reveal, I was expecting something...more.

Bottom line - While the end fell a little flat for me, the build-up leading to the reveal was the stuff that legends are made of. All in all, Before the Fall was a great book.


Details:
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
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Pages:400
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 5/31/2016
Buy it Here!

It might just not have been my cup of tea, but I couldn't get through this book. I got about a quarter of the way before I gave up. It was okay, but not really engaging. I didn't connect with any of the characters. It seemed to have strange, meandering asides that didn't make sense. Perhaps it got better later; maybe it just was not the book for me.

Before the Fall was definitely not what I was expecting, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  Where I was anticipating an action packed thriller, I actually got a character driven story about survival, fate, & self-discovery.  Sure, this book is about the aftermath of a plane crash, but it is also about the characters BEFORE the crash (hence the title), and how these characters all came to be on the plane in the first place.

"Everyone is from someplace. We all have stories, our lives unfolding along crooked lines, colliding in unexpected ways."

I really enjoy how Hawley constructed this story: giving us the event first (plane crash), then weaving back and forth between the present day investigation into the crash and the lives & backstories of the characters leading up to the crash.  We know the “what” but now we need to know the “who” and the “why.”  I wouldn’t classify Before the Fall as a “thriller” in the traditional sense, but that the majority of the book felt more like a mystery.  Despite it not being an action packed read, I still would consider it a page turner.  Through the characters’ backstories, we slowly are given pieces to the puzzle, thus enabling the reader begins to form their own theories into the “who” & the “why.”  Was this an accident?  A plot to take down one of the powerful men on board?  Or was there something more sinister at play here?  I just HAD to know what really happened.

Before the Fall made for a good book club selection because there were lots of things to discuss, my favorite of which was the theme revolving around fate:  how the smallest of decisions & random occurrences can result in a catastrophic outcome.  There are many instances in Before the Fall where you will find that the smallest of choices mean the difference between life or death.  If just one small thing had been changed, would things have turned out differently?  Does everything happen for a reason?

"Life is a series of decisions and reactions. It is the things you do and the things that are done to you.
And then it’s over."

Another aspect about this novel that I enjoyed was the portrayal of the “media frenzy” & how the media can spin facts to sensationalize a story.  It also touches upon some of the ethics of journalism & what lengths some are willing to go to get the story.  I actually wish this had been a bigger part of the novel as it was truly fascinating look at how the media can control which facts in a case are highlighted, thus swaying the audience one way or another.

I'm sure some people may have been disappointed with the ending, but I actually liked how everything panned out.  All of my theories from early on were way off, so kudos to Hawley for keeping me on my toes.  Towards the end of the book, I did begin to suspect the direction the book was going to go, but the big reveal was still the best part of this novel.  I was filled with tension and dread while reading scene where we finally figured out exactly what caused the plane crash.  The scariest part about this is that I could totally see this happening in real life, which is terrifying to think about.  It was all very believable.

One of the downsides of this book, at least for me, was the pacing was not always consistent.  I found portions of some of the characters’ backstories to be a little monotonous & irrelevant.  That being said, I was wrapped up in the mystery enough to keep trudging on through the uninteresting parts to get to the more pertinent parts.  Just keep in mind this is a slow burning mystery, and not a fast paced novel.  

The way this book is laid out & some of the themes included reminded me a bit of the TV show Lost (but less weird), so if you enjoyed that show, I would recommend this book to you.  Rumor has it that the film rights were sold, and I would be very interested in seeing this book adapted to film.  I do think it would translate well to film, which isn’t a big shock as the author is a screen writer… I’m fairly sure he wrote this book with the film rights in the back of his mind.

Warning: Do not read this book on a plane

*Big thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very engaging novel that ended up being a bit more style over substance for me. I loved the unique structure of the narrative with flashbacks providing details to the climax that the novel opened with. Still, I wasn't very surprised by any of the revelations.

This started out good, but ended up getting bogged down with too many characters that I didn't care about in the least. And, the completed storyline felt underwhelming.

Noah Hawley is an astonishing writer, and if this wasn't evident enough from his TV work (most recently, FARGO & LEGION), BEFORE THE FALL removes any doubt. On paper, the idea is a simple one: a plane crashes, killing everyone on board except for Scott Burroughs, an artist (who was a last-minute addition to the manifest) and the four-year-old boy he manages to rescue. Given the fame and wealth of the perished, an investigation immediately ensues, and while Scott and the orphaned boy try to find their way through the grief, horror, and instant celebrity that comes with being the only survivors, we learn more and more about what precipitated the crash. Was it simply a tragic accident, or sabotage?. Well, I won't tell you that, but what I will tell you is that BEFORE THE FALL, like everything else Hawley writes, is a masterclass in dramatic storytelling.

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me and I didn't continue reading for any significant time therefore, do not feel justified to comment.
Although I did not finish the book and don't feel justified to give feedback or a review I will still be able to recommend it to customers visiting our bookstore.
Thankyou for approving my request to read it as I have definitely been able to take something from it for referral purposes to customers.

When I initially saw this book, I was not impressed. I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I did and it looked bland. Additionally, suspense is usually not the genre that I gravitate towards. However, after hearing buzz on social media, I thought I would see what it was all about if only to be able to offer discussion and recommendations to my patrons.
I was pleasantly surprised. It starts out with a plane crash and works through the lives of the survivors and everyone involved with flashbacks into the lives of those that did not survive. I have been recommending it to my patrons and have not heard a bad word about it.

Maybe I am one for irony, and also I know a book is a book. Before The Fall is about a plane crash and guesses where I was when I started reading it. I was sitting in a plane flying to Texas. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley was an intense read and it delves into the aftermaths of plane crashes and how easily people's perceptions of others can change the course of how others are viewed as either the hero or the villain. Before The Fall takes a hard look at what goes on before an accident and what can happen afterward and how those small decisions that we make every day can have deadly consequences. From someone being invited onto a plane and surviving. To finding a little boy and helping him. To rejecting someone at a bar as you didn't want to have a relationship with them. These tiny decisions can affect all of our lives and those around us, and the scary thing is at the time we make those decisions, we don't often realize the consequences and actions that could spur from that particular decision. Eleven people one night decided to fly in a private airplane, less than 30 minutes later nine people would be dead, and there would only be two survivors. Before The Fall looks at the lead-up lives of everyone on that airplane and also the way that one action can change people's perceptions. Before the Fall was a slow-paced novel, but at the same time, the writing kept you intrigued and wanted you to keep going as you felt invested in all the characters. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley has also I read today just recently won the Edgar Award for best mystery novel. If you want a book that will make you think about all the decisions we make and the consequences and actions, check out Before the Fall by Noah Hawley today.

This book was positioned as a thriller, but it didn’t really fit into that genre for me. While it seemed a bit “ripped from the headlines”, it was written with an intelligence that belied the occasional celebrity tell-all feel. To me, it was more intriguing than gripping, but while the conclusion seemed inevitable and unsurprising, this did not really detract from the story. Hawley is terrific at crafting his wealthy characters, but I found the ordinary, flawed ones more interesting. I especially appreciated that the artist living on Martha’s Vineyard is poor and relatively unknown despite living in what would normally be considered a high-end vacation spot. Hawley is deft at contrasting the flashy tabloid news with the human side of the story, and I found just as many parts deeply moving as completely despicable.

One reviewer ranted on and on about how bad this cover is – but as a graphic designer (who frequently judges a book by its cover), I am weighing in on this one. I was attracted to the type that was at once bold and ethereal; accurately, I think, evoking the tragedy and uncertainty to come.



For Goodreads:

Why I picked it — The author’s credentials were interesting
Reminded me of… the endless cycle of news following JFK Jr’s plane crash - you want to watch, but it’s often painful. The book isn't quite as heart-wrenching, but still.
For my full review — click here

I can't for the life of me begin to describe how poorly written this book is. There seemed to be missing words, and sentences that made no sense. I had to read and reread some parts just to attempt to piece everything together.

There didn't seem to be any order either, while I'm a huge fan of the past/present writing style that leads to a huge revolution, it was just too confusing in Before the Fall. You would be in the present one second, and the past the next.
I struggled to keep up with whose thoughts we were reading and placing them in context.

The idea of espionage, money laundering, and possible terrorism is thrilling and can be wildly entertaining in fictional writing. However, that just doesn't happen in this book.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.

A short, easy flight between Martha's Vineyard and New York City turns deadly for its 11 passengers. But it shouldn't have, so what happened?
Meet Scott, floating in water and watching jet fuel burn off, wondering if there is anyone else alive after the plane he was just in crashed into the ocean without warning. Just as he's decided to try for land, surmising there are no other survivors, he hears a faint cry. Turning back toward the wreckage he locates JJ, the four year old boy from the private flight. Now Scott knows he has to make it to land, if nothing else so that JJ can have some kind of life. But the night is dark and shrouded in fog, no moon or stars can be seen to give Scott and JJ direction to land. But they set off for it anyway. How did they even survive the crash? Why did they and not the others? Why was there a crash?
Hawley gives us the story of an airplane crashing - what happened the couple of days leading up to its fatal flight - and the aftermath. Each passenger on the flight has a story that leads them on to the plane and we are led to wonder if this was more than an accident, perhaps it was on purpose. As the investigation digs into personal and professional lives, questions are raised and some are answered. But other questions are going to take longer to discover the answer to. In the meantime, Scott and JJ - the survivors - are left with loss and bewilderment and loose ends.
Overall, I really liked this story. Hawley did such a good job with character development that for one or two of the characters I almost forgot they were fiction and my extreme dislike for them was riling me up! The relationship between Scott and JJ, because of what they survived together, was really heart-warming to witness. I liked the character backstories, it added a lot to the questions of why the plane may have nosedived into the ocean to become a watery tomb for the majority of its passengers. The thing that frustrated me about the story is the thing that frustrates me about our culture today. As Gus, the head of the investigative team, says in the book, "In the absence of facts, we begin to make up stories." Hawley highlighted that bit of truth through a couple of characters and their roles post-crash. And these days it's happening in real life as well. It's so damaging. But Hawley doesn't get points off for that, rather he gains points for writing that so accurately.

A good mystery & thriller, with compelling characters & a solid plot. The narrative structure is intriguing & well executed. The few philosophical interludes felt unnecessary and slowed down the book, but they were few and far between. Overall, a very good read.
(FTC Disclosure: I received an e-ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for review consideration on my blog. I checked out the audiobook from my local library through Overdrive.)

BEFORE THE FALL is a completely absorbing and suspenseful read. It is well written, fast paced, and keeps you interested until the very end.

Before the fall is a complex intriguing novel by Noah Hawley.
David Bateman a multibillionaire cable network producer charters a private plane leaving Martha Vineyard. Traveling along with him are his wife Maggie, his 9 year daughter Rachel , his 4 year old son JJ , their bodyguard Gil , a Wall Street financier Ben and wife Sarah and a recovering alcoholic painter Scott .Sixteen minutes after the flight takes off it crashes in the ocean and the lone survivors are Scott and the JJ. With almost inhuman strength Scott swims ashore with JJ on his back fighting the cold and the shark infested waters. At home Scott is declared a hero but in this this day and age of media coverage no one is safe. Bill Cunningham a media reporter who wants to take advantage of the situation labels Scott as a opportunist, terrorist etc. building up the hype
This book goes back and forth between the stories of eleven people who were in the plane and the FBI’s investigation of the crash. Noah has spun a great story with enough intrigue to keep turning the pages trying to find what is going to happen next. A definite must read novel for all genres.

Many thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest and fair review.

Wow. Well done. This is one of those books that I had to force myself to ration so I wouldn't stay up for days straight just reading. I had a real hard time putting it down. The characters were great, the structure was perfect, and the tension really grabbed you.

This review is in exchange for a free e-galley from netgalley.com.

Before The Fall is one of the best books I have read this year. I especially liked the way character's lives evolved after the crash and the descriptions of each character as well. The story is about a private plane that crashes and how the main character saves a little boy by swimming with him to shore. They are soon rescued and the story goes on tell about the impact the crash has on the survivors. I could not put this book down. This is definitely a book I would recommend!