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After the Fall

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After the Fall

By: Charity Norman
Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
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In the quiet of a New Zealand winter's night, a rescue helicopter is sent to airlift a five-year-old boy with severe internal injuries. He's fallen from the upstairs veranda of an isolated farmhouse. At first, Finn's fall looks like a horrible accident; but his frantic mother, Martha McNamara, knows how it really happened. And she isn't telling. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

©2012 Charity Norman (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction World Literature Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

"Original, wonderfully written and utterly gripping." (The Sun)

"After the Fall is a gripping tale that would appeal to fans of Jodi Picoult and Joanna Trollope." (Red Online)
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A delightful read translated perfectly into a great listen. The story is thought provoking, well written and gripping. It's characters' flaws and strengths are beautifully drawn and bring them to life easily and sympathetically.
The different threads in the story will resonate in many readers' lives and certainly gave me pause for thought. I liked all the characters, cared about what happened to them and missed the book when I had completed it.
The audio version is extremely well read with good voice characterisation and a calm and soothing tone overall. Highly recommended.

Stunning book, very well narrated.

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disappointed with this story ending, was quite predictable and felt drawn out because of this

ok, but predicted the perpetrator from the off

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Initially, I was uncertain whether I would enjoy this story but towards the end I found it impossible to stop listening. Norman's description is powerful and entirely plausible. McKenzie narrated the tale with colour and characterisation that allowed listeners to follow along with ease and enjoyment.

Powerful Storytelling

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I am going to write this review carefully in order to avoid giving away plot developments but Norman offers some complex explorations of family life, including marital interactions and the corrosive effects of keeping secrets. The terrible vulnerability humans reveal when they love and form families is matched by the main character’s struggle to forgive and continue loving.
The portrayal of most of the main characters was multifaceted. The fights between the husband and wife were particularly good and not often reflected in novels. They say terrible, cruel things to each other but their forgiveness is also an important part of a successful marriage. The mother/daughter relationship was ayered and convincing. In addition, I was taken with the character of the social worker who was clearly the moral compass of the novel even though she receives no thanks nor does she prevail.
The ending was disappointing as in so many good novels but it doesn’t erase the remarkable aspects of this fine work.

Complex exploration of family life

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I really enjoyed this book. It takes you on a journey full of twists and turns, as you follow the series of events that lead the family to the tragic situation where they now find themselves.
The narration is excellent. Easy to listen to and full of character.
I did feel the ending was slightly predictable and lack lustre, but that didn't spoil it for me. I still couldn't switch it off in the last hour.

A Moving Story

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