Falling into Place by Amy Zhang
On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.
Why? Why did Liz Emerson decide that the world would be better off without her? Why did she give up? Vividly told by an unexpected and surprising narrator, this heartbreaking and nonlinear novel pieces together the short and devastating life of Meridian High’s most popular junior girl. Mass, acceleration, momentum, force—Liz didn’t understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward the tree, she doesn’t understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect? Amy Zhang’s haunting and universal story will appeal to fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and Jay Asher
Publishes in US: September 9th 2014 by Greenwillow Books
Genre:YA contemp
Source: Harper Teen
Series? No
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Author stalk away: ~site
Okay, so first off. The jumps in time, the different characters that are focused on, and the point of view are all pretty non-traditional for this one. It messed with my head and I was confused if the "I" in the book was her spirit/conscious/a ghost, and maybe that's part of the mystery that drives the story. While it gripped me and I just had to figure out how all these pieces fit together, I can certainly understand where it will turn off some readers.
So that out of the way, I think that this wasn't originally on my radar because it had a different synopsis, and at first it didn't necessarily catch my attention. But then I read about the suicide attempt and the interpersonal questions of how we effect each other and the relationships that is posted above got my attention so when I was sent this one, I decided to give it a read.
Liz is also a hard person to like, I was okay with her in ways I could forgive until the Melody incident and even though she was so young and there was peer pressure it just seemed like the iceberg started to crack there. I know that it also sets up a foreshadowing and lets us see inside her mind at the moment, and see the struggle that was there. Oh and the physics aspect didn't do anything for me, constantly with the newton's laws.
I wasn't pleased with the epilogue but the ending before that fit the book. I imagine though that more people would be displeased because it would be more of an open ending.
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you ever think that the world would be better off without you? What do you tell yourself to affirm that you're important?
It's been a while since I read a book about jump travels. It could be interesting.
ReplyDeleteI really don't like books that jump back and forth in time. Divided narratives so rarely work for me. Zhang is a fabulous author, but this doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, not sure if I like the jumping back and forth through time thing.
ReplyDeleteI read a few chapters I think (helped that they were so short) and it was addicting and different, but really, I couldn't get into the writing style at all, so I just left it. I think I would've liked the message it sends, since it's one of those thinker books, but I think it also would've annoyed me too much that I wouldn't have appreciated it. I am going to avoid that question, haha.
ReplyDeleteI take it that this book lacked focus on account of the time jumps, multiple POVs, and characters. I haven't even read this one, and already I feel confused. When I was younger and didn't appreciate the value of life, I sometimes posed the what if question, but experience has taught me that getting older is a privilege that should be embraced regardless of how miserable your current circumstances may seem.
ReplyDeleteHahaha your Newton Law comment made me laugh because I can totally relate to that! I'll pass on the physics lessons, gimme more humanities please!
ReplyDeleteI can see how people won't like this book but for some reason I did. I think I was in the mood for something totally different at the time but between the non linear story telling and the characters it isn't going to be for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis was a strange book - I liked it more than you did, but I had some issues with the narrator and distance it created from the cast of characters. Yeah, the physics aspect did get to be a bit too much at times!
ReplyDeleteNice honest review :D
Right..this one, eh not for me
ReplyDeleteHm, I have seen some good reviews of this book, but with it being so unique maybe it is not something for everyone? Either way, I would very much like to try it myself and form my own opinion. Good review :D
ReplyDeleteI sometimes do wonder if I am important. Then I think of all the things I have done in the past to help other people and remind myself they needed me. And I remember God is with me :D
I have this on my pile and have been debating whether I'll read it. I'm kind of on the fence. But I think I'll pick it up and give it 50 pages and see how I feel. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI really like the blurb for this one. I'm glad you found the story enjoyable, despite the epilogue!
ReplyDeleteHmmmparts of thi intrigue but I am not sure about the ending and the time travel. Still I am hearing some good things so I might just have to try it.
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about this one, and I'm curious to see how the jumps in time and POV work for me. Glad you were able to enjoy it mostly!
ReplyDeleteI agree -- I really didn't think the ending fit. But I thought the unusual narrative technique was interesting and it did keep my attention.
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
This is on my radar because I haven't read many books such as this one but I will surely lower my expectations. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry this one wasn't that great for you. I don't think I will be picking this one up, just doesn't sound/feel like my kind of read. But I so enjoyed your review!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it may be a little confusing. I don't like too many jumps in time. It does sound like a good read though, and good on you for reading it til the end.
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
It was definitely full of vague hints and unusual perspectives, and there was so much left open to interpretation. Interesting...and confusing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm sorry you didn't like it. I thought the book was easy enough to read, the "I" was the narrator through the whole book. I don't think there was really a mystery, yeah, the story tells why Liz attempted suicide, but it's not so much a mystery as different instances in the book explaining why she did so and what led to it and could have prevented it.
ReplyDeleteWhile the book did focus on other characters, I don't believe it ever went into their point of views. They were more just like slices of their lives. I loved the non-linear style, that's my favorite kind of novels so that would be why, plus I thought it was really well done and interesting. I found Liz a very likable character, she had her faults, but so does everyone else and she does want to change, which we see at the end of the book. I adored the physics aspect, that's the first thing I point out in my review actually.
I was browsing the other commented and noticed this one. Lol. That's Kat Zhang not Amy Zhang. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not really time travel as much as they're flashbacks. Sorry, I can't help but comment. :)
ReplyDelete