Scan barcode
bookdragon217's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott was an incredible read. Elliott's storytelling was spellbinding and I enjoyed the way she blended elements of horror, sci-fi and mystery I to this tale. Alice was a captivating protagonist and one I won't easily forget. This one tackled heavy themes of Native motherhood, mental illness, racism, alcoholism, forced removal and adoption of babies, MMIW2S issues, cultural appropriation and erasure of history in academia and white savior complex. The way Eliott personified these as true horror was so vivid that I felt like I was in Alice's mind and thoughts the while time. I felt her dread and mistrust. I couldn't help but relate to her concerns about her sanity and motherhood because BIPOC people always have their fitness to parent scrutinized by racist white people. Native peoples especially have a long history of having rheir children taken away forever.
I was not expecting the time shift and plot twist towards the last section of the book, but this was brought the main themes full circle. This is where you see the resilience of Native women and their unwavering support for each other. Here is where you see how it is through their Native ways of life and connection to their community that they support each other through healing their traumas. It is also how they support and protect each other. Elliott also notes that Native women also get hurt by Native men, not just outsiders. For the women in this story, their medicine is each other and this is the legacy they leave to future generations. The key to their survival is to stay connected to their roots.
This is the first of Elliott's books I read but I am so excited to read her other books because her writing style really spotlights the power of Native storytelling. Her voice is commanding, authentic and takes up all the space in a room. I highly recommend you read this one.
Moderate: Mental illness and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism and Body shaming
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
Mention of MMIWG2S, residential schools.