Samantha Kingston is having a bad day. A VERY bad day. One she gets to relive seven times. In her debut novel, Lauren Oliver takes us into the very shallow world of high school. She brings us the story of four girls who live each day by their own whims. Oliver makes a statement in her statement to the First Look Book Club. She states that her first hope for the novel is that you won't like Sam or her friends very much. And, rest assured Ms. Oliver, I don't. They are vapid and self-centered. They treat others around them abominably and are only interested in doing what they want to do.
Even with that, you get glimpses of a group of girls who are doing what they think is expected. Sam states several times that there are things she doesn't like about what they do and even that she doesn't like her boyfriend all that much; and yet, she acts just like a 17-year-old would be expected to act around her friends. She shows that the desire to fit in can often override good judgement and even simple consideration for someone's fellow human beings.
In grand Groundhog Day fashion (to which Oliver even refers in the novel), Sam tries seven different ways to bring the day to an end. The events of each day play out differently, depending on how Sam uses her knowledge of the day's events to change their outcome.
Having been on the opposite side of popularity while in high school, Oliver's novel gives me a different view of the students whose lives I thought were perfect. At the time, I was very envious of the girls who seemed to have perfect everything. I was of the opinion that it was effortless for them. Oliver gives you a glimpse into a life that is not so black and white; one that makes you realize that very few people who walk this earth, young or old, have it all together.
Mid-way through the first chapter, I wanted to put it down and not pick it back up. I was so irritated by the main characters that I wasn't sure I could actually finish the book. I kept going, hoping it would get better. I am SO glad I chose to stick it out. Before I Fall is a beautiful novel by Lauren Oliver. It is an amazing debut, and I expect we will see more great work from Oliver in the future.
This book was provided free of charge as a review copy. The publisher had no editorial rights or claims over the content or the conclusions made in this review. No payment was provided in return for this review.