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jocelyn62013's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Medical content
Minor: Rape and War
arayo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Police brutality and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, and Abandonment
ncoletti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Blood
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, and Death of parent
rainbowfairie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have so much I want to write about this book. This is one of the best literary fiction novels I've read, packaged in an informative and digestible story. The author is very societally aware and presents a wealth of information to readers on various concepts that may very well be new to them. The author's note at the end references any real-life resources or info the reader may want to check out. Very science-y with vocab and concepts, so beware there will be lots of new language and it's not a light read. As an autistic person myself, who struggles with spoken communication, this was an enlightening and empowering read that touches on many important issues. I'd read it again in a heartbeat and appreciate Angie for writing this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, and War
wanderlustsleeping's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This was amazing.
I will read everything Angie Kim writes. I absolutely adored all of the siblings, and loved that it’s from Mia’s point of view. Her voice is just excellent. It’s never explicitly stated,I don’t think, if the twins are also autistic, or just exceptional in particular ways, but amidst the stress and chaos, any and all things with the siblings made me smile.
Their relationships with their parents also was so wonderful to read. They felt real and special, and Kim’s ability to dive into the very real dilemmas neurotypical kids, and their families face, but most importantly those kids struggles and joys, and valid frustrations if they need other ways to communicate besides verbal, is illuminating.Thankful this novel is out there, and is being read by many.
The mystery elements? My lips are sealed on those, but I hope people continue to protect vulnerable people from less than empathetic law enforcement because these things do happen.
I will read everything Angie Kim writes. I absolutely adored all of the siblings, and loved that it’s from Mia’s point of view. Her voice is just excellent. It’s never explicitly stated,
Their relationships with their parents also was so wonderful to read. They felt real and special, and Kim’s ability to dive into the very real dilemmas neurotypical kids, and their families face, but most importantly those kids struggles and joys, and valid frustrations if they need other ways to communicate besides verbal, is illuminating.
The mystery elements? My lips are sealed on those, but I hope people continue to protect vulnerable people from less than empathetic law enforcement because these things do happen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality
jialianyang's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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 see why this book is a bestseller! The narration is at times cerebral and fully in a teen voice, but eventually the character and plot developments twist and turn so rapidly that you can't help but flip page after page. This is a story about family, loyalty, secrets, respect, ableism, the limits of our public safety system, language, philosophy and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and War
sariereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Hate crime, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Police brutality
noladawnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Racism, and Car accident
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Police brutality
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I was very excited to picked up this book because I read and really enjoyed "Miracle Creek" by Angie Kim a few years ago.
"Happiness Falls" is an exploration of family, and about truly accepting everything about a person. When Mia's father does not come home with her autistic brother after hiking, the family is not too concerned. But, when they have not heard from him and cannot get ahold of him, they quickly begin to worry. Unfortunately, the only witness to what happened on the hiking trail is Eugene, and he is nonverbal. When the family bans together to try to find this father, they uncover years of secrets that may end up explaining where he went.
This was such an exceptional story about family and accepting people as they are. Eugene is nonverbal, and has been his whole life, but that does not mean he has nothing to say. He as a beautiful mind and is capable of great things, he just needs the right tools and support to encourage him to communicate. I think this is such a profound message. Communication is often what connects human beings to one another, and it is so important to encourage any and all ways of communicating.
This family, like many others, has secrets they are all keeping from one another. I think this book highlights the good that sharing the burden of your thoughts with those closest to you can bring.
I really enjoyed that this book was about more than the disappearance. Their father disappearing was just the catalyst to uncover more important thoughts and feelings.
I will definitely be reading more from Angie Kim in the future.
"Happiness Falls" is an exploration of family, and about truly accepting everything about a person. When Mia's father does not come home with her autistic brother after hiking, the family is not too concerned. But, when they have not heard from him and cannot get ahold of him, they quickly begin to worry. Unfortunately, the only witness to what happened on the hiking trail is Eugene, and he is nonverbal. When the family bans together to try to find this father, they uncover years of secrets that may end up explaining where he went.
This was such an exceptional story about family and accepting people as they are. Eugene is nonverbal, and has been his whole life, but that does not mean he has nothing to say. He as a beautiful mind and is capable of great things, he just needs the right tools and support to encourage him to communicate. I think this is such a profound message. Communication is often what connects human beings to one another, and it is so important to encourage any and all ways of communicating.
This family, like many others, has secrets they are all keeping from one another. I think this book highlights the good that sharing the burden of your thoughts with those closest to you can bring.
I really enjoyed that this book was about more than the disappearance. Their father disappearing was just the catalyst to uncover more important thoughts and feelings.
I will definitely be reading more from Angie Kim in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
lilawsahar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
God I learned so much from this book. I am destroyed that Eugene lived for 14 years without being able to communicate because he doesn’t have fine motor skills and his disability enables him to speak. How did he wake up each day knowing that he was going to be treated like an idiot and he had to continue on? The realization that people live like this in real life is gut wrenching. And how I contributed to this idea. Not treating people with disabilities as equals. Makes me sick. Everyone needs to read this book. It blew me away with that insight alone.
I am also utterly sick that we will never know what happened to their dad. Did Eugene kill him? We will never know especially since she put the wrong passcode in the cell phone. I wouldn’t have done that. They don’t know who Eugene is because he wasn’t able to communicate with them. But Eugene knows them. That’s gut wrenching to me. What happened to him??
Tbh I think the happiness quotient part was unneeded in the story. That’s just my take. He just wanted his daughter to have a good life. But the story isn’t able her. It’s able Eugene and him.
Also ACAB.
Tbh I think the happiness quotient part was unneeded in the story. That’s just my take.
Also ACAB.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Racism, Rape, and Sexism