Friday, 7 January 2011

Mini Review - Fall For Anything / Courtney Summers

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered? Goodreads.
Review - Summers' third title joins her previous titles as kinetic reads that possess a force that propels the plot and the protagonist's emotional arc. That's where the similarities end.  Grief is an emotion that is often explored in youth literature and yet Summers has managed to present a gloomy and inward emotion into something with unique direction.  It is a hard book for me to quantify but the reader's emotions in situations tend to mirror that of Eddie's experience.  The power of the words, the characters and the emotions that cloud everything are intoxicating and yet beneath, there is a subtlety about the human condition that very much resonated.  Summers is an author that excites me - she is wonderfully unpredictable, scarily intense and hugely relatable.  Fall For Anything reflects evolution as a storyteller and a push towards exploring oft depicted themes with a tighter handle on what teens are like versus an idyllic version.

Recommendation - Read it, read it now.

Published: December 21, 2010
Format: ARC, 230 pages
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Source: author
Origin: USA

7 comments:

Alex Bennett from Electrifying Reviews said...

I'll definitely check it out!

Michelle said...

One of the best books I read last year! Truly fantastic.

Amy said...

I loved it as well and agree with you say, especially, "scarily intense"

Adele said...

And yet, intense in a completely different, less aggressive, way than her other titles. Love it.

Jim said...

Great review, this is one I'm desperate to read!

Rachel said...

I'm pumped for this book! I keep hearing great things about it, I can't wait until I actually have a chance to check it out.

Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Association said...

I want it I want it. Wonderful review as always Adele. Thank you for adding to my wishlist daily LOL