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JDCMustReadBooks

An online marketing consultant, an avid reader of  400 + books a year. Professional reader, reviewer, and blogger.  Enjoy ARCs and new releases. 

 

 

 

If I Fall, If I Die

If I Fall, If I Die - Michael Christie

By Michael Christie
ISBN: 9780804140805
Publisher: Crown Publishing
Publication Date: 1/20/2015
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 4 Stars

 

A special thank you to Crown Publishing, Hogarth, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

IF I FALL, IF I DIE, by Canadian Michael Christie, delivers a heartfelt and poignant coming- of- age magical debut—from fear to adventure; mother and son – a complex portrayal of mental illness, family, and friendship.

 

Will is a boy, not stepping outside the confines of his home until age 11. Diane, single agoraphobic mother lives in a constant panic of the world outside the doors of their home.

 

Inside/Outside – two world collide. Once a promising filmmaker, a mother is controlled by paranoia, depression, and agoraphobia. She believes in a world rich in culture, art, travel –however, all within the inside. A safe world. She creates a world to keep them safe with no risk.

 

She makes Will wear a helmet; however, he is lured by the outside world and is tempted by other boys. He discovers skateboarding and once he steps out, he realizes he does not die. He wants to live.

 

Christie captures the conflict between Will’s love and loyalty to his mother and the adventure and desire of the outside world, with both compassion and humor.

 

Brilliantly told, with beautiful, creative, and haunting prose--an exploration of the fearful, dark mental frailty.

 

FALL, IF I DIE A bittersweet portrayal of psychological, and emotional human dynamics between mother and son, for a mysterious, and intriguing contemporary read. An author to follow!

 

Source: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1160583004