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erinreadstheworld 's review for:
The Beautiful Fall
by Hugh Breakey
Every 179 days Robbie forgets everything. His name. Where he lives. Everyone he knows. And who he is. To cope with the impending memory loss Robbie prepares himself as best as he can; with letters and a journal for his future self, and by living a solitary and very scheduled life.
It was tricky figuring out how I feel about this one. The first sentences had me hooked. Reading the first few paragraphs I was so excited to get lost in Robbie's world. The story starts with Robbie having just 12 days left before he forgets it all and the tension and apprehension is palpable.
And then the dominoes talk begun. Pages and pages and pages of talking about dominoes. It becomes clear quickly that dominoes are very important to Robbie and that he's attempting to set up something very special with thousands of dominoes. But I just did not care. This part of the book really dragged for me.
About halfway through the pace quickens. The dominoes are still there but it's much less in your face. Instead the story now focuses on a woman Robbie has accidentally become friends with - Julie. As there relationship develops, Robbie gets closer and closer to forgetting it all. Each chapter counts down a day, building the sense of urgency and intrigue about what will happen next for Robbie.
My thoughts flipped-flopped on both Julie and Robbie. Sometimes he felt a bit robotic and other times I felt for him. Sometimes I liked Julie, other times she seemed like straight up trouble. Sometimes I rooted for them, and other times I really did not.
In saying that, the book got better and better as it progressed. And I really like the way it ended.
The Beautiful Fall poses some interesting questions around memories and the way memories shape our identity. Who are we really if we don't know anything about ourself and our past? Would we still be the same person if we no longer remembered who that was?
If you're a fan of The Rosie Project you'll probably like this one. It's easy to read, fun in parts and shines a fairly lighthearted look on social interactions between people.
3.5 stars
It was tricky figuring out how I feel about this one. The first sentences had me hooked. Reading the first few paragraphs I was so excited to get lost in Robbie's world. The story starts with Robbie having just 12 days left before he forgets it all and the tension and apprehension is palpable.
And then the dominoes talk begun. Pages and pages and pages of talking about dominoes. It becomes clear quickly that dominoes are very important to Robbie and that he's attempting to set up something very special with thousands of dominoes. But I just did not care. This part of the book really dragged for me.
About halfway through the pace quickens. The dominoes are still there but it's much less in your face. Instead the story now focuses on a woman Robbie has accidentally become friends with - Julie. As there relationship develops, Robbie gets closer and closer to forgetting it all. Each chapter counts down a day, building the sense of urgency and intrigue about what will happen next for Robbie.
My thoughts flipped-flopped on both Julie and Robbie. Sometimes he felt a bit robotic and other times I felt for him. Sometimes I liked Julie, other times she seemed like straight up trouble. Sometimes I rooted for them, and other times I really did not.
In saying that, the book got better and better as it progressed. And I really like the way it ended.
The Beautiful Fall poses some interesting questions around memories and the way memories shape our identity. Who are we really if we don't know anything about ourself and our past? Would we still be the same person if we no longer remembered who that was?
If you're a fan of The Rosie Project you'll probably like this one. It's easy to read, fun in parts and shines a fairly lighthearted look on social interactions between people.
3.5 stars