Before I Fall is a story of teenage high school girl named Samantha Kingston whose life is stuck on repeat, and she is forced to relive the day of her death over and over again until she realized she was hurting the people who cared for her the most. The author, Lauren Oliver, beautifully divided the novel into seven chapters describing the seven days of death which Sam relives.
Sam wakes up on 12th February, which is referred to as “Cupid Day”, and attends school. Later at night, she goes to a party with her friends, and on their way back home, they meet with a terrible accident resulting in the death of Sam. But, she wakes up the next morning only to find out that it is still February 12. She relives the day seven times until she realized the perfect way to spend that day.
When you start reading the book, the first thing that will come to your mind is how mean Sam is, but after reaching the middle of the novel, your thoughts for Sam will change, and you’ll start liking her. The author has perfectly depicted the emotions of the protagonist Sam, as with each passing day she redeems herself for the better. The book shows the feelings of a girl who is bullied over and over again. This book gives a deep message that you never know who is going through what in their life, you should respect everyone’s feelings and don’t be a bully for anyone. A simple action of yours can change anybody’s life, you have the power to save or to destroy someone’s life.
“Certain moments go on forever. Even after they’re over they still go on, even after you’re dead and buried, those moments are lasting still, backward and forward, on into infinity. They are everything and everywhere all at once.” These lines by the author gives an idea about the entire plot of the novel. I really liked the hidden message that the author is trying to say through these lines. This novel perfectly illustrates the life of a teenage girl who realises with each passing day that how blissful and satisfied life she can have if she makes different choices. Oliver has splendidly shown the journey of an immature teenager Samantha who beautifully grows into a woman.
In the beginning I didn’t have very high hopes for this book but after I started reading it, I just couldn’t stop. When she woke up again on 12th February, it drove me crazy to know how all this will end. I liked the fact that the novel doesn’t beat me over the head with its message but lets the drama unfold naturally. People who like books of genre young adult fiction and romance should definitely go for this book. I am sure they’ll not be disappointed.
Reading this book is like a wild experience which everyone should have once in their lifetime. The plot of this novel is one that you cannot guess what will happen next. The more you read, the more surprises you’ll get. Also this book changed me as a person, after this I think I’ll care more for the persons who are close to me and genuinely care for me. I highly recommend this novel and according to me, the rating for this should be 4.5/5.