Catch me when I fall is a book about a manic depressive called Holly Krauss written by the ingenious duo that is Nicci French (i.e. Nicci Gerard and Sean French) It is, without a doubt, one of the best modern literary works I have read-on par with Strange fits of passion by Anita Shreeve. Though it is written by two people, it is seamless, and I am actually curious as to how they achieved this; how the workload was divided. However they managed it, it was beautifully done.
Like in the movies, the character of Holly Krauss plays the lead and her best friend Meg Summers is the best supporting female. The book is divided into two parts narrated by Holly and Meg respectively. Holly's manic depression isn't diagnosed from the start of the book, so she seems a little less than likeable when we watch her destroy her lives and everyone else's...But if you get passed that, you realise that she either had something seriously wrong with her or that someone needed to give her condition a name quickly so she could be sectioned. Of course you are more sympathetic to her plight as the narrative progresses, unlike most of her fellow characters who either wanted her as dead as road-kill or dangerously close. She also talks a lot about her father and the closer she gets to her diagnosis, the more you realise that it is hereditary.
The book is casually predictable with drops of proleptic irony here and there. But this makes it all the more interesting, like getting a taste and wanting more. To put it in perspective, after reading a handful of John Grisham books you know everything he could possibly ever write about again (until of course you arrive at Playing for pizza and the 'apparent' lack of lawyers temporarily knocks you off balance) But no matter how many Dean Koontz books you read, there is something forever enticing about his 'oh-so-familiar', supernaturally eccentric books. All of Dean Koontz predictable tension and excitement is squeezed neatly into this little Nicci French book, and for me, I couldn't be more grateful!
There was a lot about the main character that attracted and terrified me all at once. I think anyone who reads it will be able to see a lot of themselves in her or at least the potential to be like her. Don't get me wrong she is no 'Everyman' but she is very human. For possible hypochondriacs like myself, I think it is safe to warn you that you will temporarily freak out when you realise she is actually mentally unstable.
I feel like I just read a review by Telegraph. Please keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me. Please keep reading. I hope to impress you again :)
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