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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
chronic_booker

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - review

Lauren Oliver, Before I Fall

Samantha is given a chance to relive the last day of her life. When she wakes up the next morning after the accident which kills her, Samantha believes the accident was a nightmare but nothing more. However, as the day goes on, the more Samantha is realising she is reliving Cupid Day – a day her school organised.

Sam is not a nice girl. She doesn't attack anyone verbally but she doesn't stand against it. She never started the chant 'psycho' at the school's outcast but she shouts at it loudly with her group of popular girls. She believes that the people who get insulted or bullied deserve it because she was bullied in the 3rd grade as well. Obviously, when Samantha meets an unfortunate fate, I hardly felt bad for her. A girl dies tragically and I thought she got what she deserved. This is the beauty of the book – karma will always find a way to get you.

With seven chapters, each representing the same day, Before I Fall tells a story of a popular girl having seven days to redeem herself. I don't know how a day can make up all the pain Samantha had caused but it puts her into the right direction. This story shows that even the worst people of the world can change for the better, they just need a simple push for the right path or in this case, death. Character development of all the characters is astonishing and the character growth of Samantha was believable.

I recommend Before I Fall because it is one of those YA books you have to read at least once in your life.

• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.

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