NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERBarnes and Noble Best Book of the YearBookpage Best of 2017Booklist Best Crime NovelPopSugar Best Book of 2017The new novel from New York Times bestseller Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River and Shutter Island“Lehane is the master of complex human characters thrust into suspenseful, page-turning situations.” —Gillian FlynnSince We Fell follows Rachel Childs, a former … Shutter Island
“Lehane is the master of complex human characters thrust into suspenseful, page-turning situations.” —Gillian Flynn
Since We Fell follows Rachel Childs, a former journalist who, after an on-air mental breakdown, now lives as a virtual shut-in. In all other respects, however, she enjoys an ideal life with an ideal husband. Until a chance encounter on a rainy afternoon causes that ideal life to fray. As does Rachel’s marriage. As does Rachel herself. Sucked into a conspiracy thick with deception, violence, and possibly madness, Rachel must find the strength within herself to conquer unimaginable fears and mind-altering truths. By turns heart- breaking, suspenseful, romantic, and sophisticated, Since We Fell is a novel of profound psychological insight and tension. It is Dennis Lehane at his very best.
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It took a long time to develop the main character and she switched from being fearfull to being fearless in a flash. That switch quickly became unbelievable.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Since We Fell seemed like two stories that didn’t quite become one cohesive unit but was still a really good novel overall. In the first story the reader is introduced to Rachel, an aspiring journalist whose mother has passed away without telling Rachel who her biological father is. The reader goes on a somewhat brief journey that explores Rachel’s life and struggles with trying to discover who her father is. In the second story, Rachel meets Brian. (She met Brian many years earlier when she tried to hire him as a PI to locate her father.) The reconnection creates some sparks and a relationship ensues. By this point, Rachel has had some serious issues that change the overall dynamic of the story and it’s interesting to watch the way Brian deals with Rachel and her problems. Is Brian the great guy that Rachel thinks he is? One day she witnesses something that makes her question everything she knows about Brian and her marriage to him.
I think Lehane tried to pull the two stories together by making the point that Rachel feels like everyone in her life leaves her and she constantly feels rejected. She has little trust in people and an assignment in Haiti has left her feeling vulnerable and worthless. Brian may be able to provide the security she seeks.
This book started a little slow for me and I couldn’t quite figure out where it was going. After the assignment in Haiti, I also struggled with why Rachel had changed as dramatically as she did. (The reader learns more as the book goes on however.) Once Rachel reconnects with Brian, I couldn’t stop reading. I fell hard for Brian (which is something I had to evaluate at the end of the book…I still liked him regardless of the ending) and I thought the story was quite intriguing. The plot and outcome do require a stretch of the imagination but it is a work of fiction and a rather good one at that in my opinion.
I have always enjoyed books by Lehane and this was no exception. I would definitely recommend it to others.
½
Since We Fell encompasses two parts. They aren’t labeled but you’ll know immediately when the switch occurs. I had to investigate my library-rented audiobook to ensure there hadn’t been a mistake. It’s that kind of switch. Part one is well-written character, family, and culture/class development. It’s slow but good. The second part breaks into a mysterious barrel-roll of a thriller. It’s also good. It just doesn’t flow well from part one to part two…not at all in my opinion. It’s like they’re two different books. It was confusing but once I invested myself in the latter, it ended up being a fun ride. After all is said and done, I can see how the two parts compliment each other but I felt at a disadvantage during my reading experience. But I guess sometimes it’s the retrospect that makes it all worth while. I literally cannot say anything about this plot line without fear of giving away a spoiler, so I’ll casually stop here. I can say that the thriller portion of this book was my favorite. Although I have watched many adaptations of this author’s work, Since We Fell was my first Dennis Lehane book that I have read. I plan to play a bit of catch-up in the near future. Check it out.
My favorite quote:
“The only people who ask questions like, ‘Did he want to be something besides a bartender,’ are people who can become whatever they want. The rest of us are just Americans.”
Since We Fell follows Rachel, an agoraphobic woman navigating her 30s and her second marriage. When she finds her husband in town when he is supposed to be abroad, she begins to question everything she knows about her life.
I’ve read a lot of reviews saying the first and second halves of this book were like night and day — and they definitely were. But where most people loved the second half and thought the first dragged, I thought the first half was great, and found myself skimming from about the midway point to the end. Once the guns and action came out in full, I sometimes found myself losing interest. I was much more invested in the questions and mystery of the first half of the book. Both were good, but I felt like they were two books mashed together into one. However, a worthwhile read for Lehane fans old and new!
Would have given it 5 stats, except I like a couple of Lehane’s other books better. But still, gripping and leaves you feeling morally ambiguous. Typical Lehane. Love.
Started a tad slow but the more I read the better it got and I didn’t want it to end. Great book. Will definitely read more from Dennis Lehane.