Reviews

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

mackplank30's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Incredible book. Such a sweeping complex story. The jumping back and forth in time was a bit strange at first, but soon filled out the story perfectly always giving the reader just enough to figure out what was happening just as it was being revealed. All of the women in the story are so incredibly well written and tragic in the best ways. 

jmarchek's review against another edition

1.0

Probably my least favorite book club book ever. I would not recommend this book to anyone. Oprah was wrong on this one. I just kept hoping things would get better, but they just get worse, very tragic. Don't read it!

nightstand_reads's review against another edition

5.0

Completely enthalling! This book has so much depth and intensity that it is difficult to find the words to review it with. From racial boundries and war to familial issues, incest, religion and different levels of relationships, there is little this book leaves out. And yet, unlike some authors who try to tackle too much, MacDonald succeeds in covering it all beautifully.

Anyone who appreciates artistry in writing, and compelling stories that take you through a full gamut of emotions and thoughts -- that develop your mind as a reader, will love this book.

kinnimomo's review against another edition

challenging hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

loreopoly's review against another edition

4.0

i don't even know what to say about how much i loved this. its certainly not for the faint of heart as it is very poignant and disturbing. no matter what she is describing though she has a way of shedding light on it in a way i've never seen done before. her descriptions and the way she leads us along through the story is unbelievably well done. i was sad to see she only has one other novel out but i will devour it with thankfulness!!! she does have a screen play though which i will be looking up as well.
this was one of those books where i had to sit and compose myself after i closed it for the last time- i wanted to weep at the loss of my new family... no matter how messed up they were.

mugofsnails's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dilan11's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book. Not sure why it didn't get more attention. Perhaps because it was written by a Canadian woman. If it had been an American male, I am sure it would have been on everyone's to read list.

Stunned by the epic nature of this, moved by the characters and the nuanced way they are never all good or all bad. And beautiful writing on top of everything. 

Last third of the book is almost too plotted. Just too much is happening. I wanted this to slow down and enjoy the language. I know that a book can only be so long but this could have been a trilogy in my opinion.

ebkara's review against another edition

4.0

A relentlessly dark book I couldn't put it down but it is a very depressing book

queen_of_haasolopolis's review against another edition

5.0

This book is incredibly hard to get into, but so worth it once you do. Ann-Marie MacDonald twists fantasy and reality into an intricate pattern that makes it difficult to distinguish one from the other. But this only adds to the beauty of the book. It makes the reader feel as insane as the dirty, creepy patriarch of the family. When answers are finally given at the end, it's like breathing for the first time after being underwater for a couple of minutes.

effpol's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.75

Cried my face off at the end 👍👍