Rating: 
Summary: Too Tragic for its own good
Review: This book deals with 3 generations of family, living in the Cape Breton Island. It spans both World Wars, and the great depression. You can travel from the coal miners shafts to jazz night clubs in New York, to the Atlantic sea shore and back. The book focuses on the trials and (mostly) tribulations of the Piper family, who - once you read this book will realize - are very dysfunctional indeed! In all of literary history this has got to be one of the most perverse and dysfunctional family I have ever come across. Nevertheless, this is an epic novel and Ms. MacDonald's writing is unequivocally superb. But I am not going to give you a synopsis of the book, instead I will only review its content (in the broadest of terms), the writing, structure and characterizations portrayed in Fall on Your Knees. If you are looking for a book synopsis - this isn't it.I am sure many have heard the saying "Angst is good for art", but I must add that it must be used as a literary vehicle carefully and with moderation. The bottom line for this book is it is littered with tragedies that are both overdone and described in pointless detail. The neverending litany of misfortunes do not drive the plot but seem directionless. Tragedy seems to be piled on in layers, and through the sordid tale, the reader is expected to become more closer to the characters the book portrays. None of the characters in the book are essentially good, which in itself may be a stylistic literary method to employ, but a book that dwells so much on misfortune should have something or someone to salvage the reader from the gloom and wreckage of human lives. FOYK is at once both believable and unbelievable. Believable because of the conviction and prose used to describe characters, and places is extraordinary. Yet it is, unbelievable because every possible perversion and tragedy befalls one family. If you are looking for books which describe tragedy in a subtle, more believable and touching way without driving away the reader:
try Arundhati Roy's "The god of small things" - a singular tragedy which spirals outwards
or for those with taste for larger scale tragedies:
Rohinton Mistry's "A Fine Balance" or Margaret Atwood's "The Blind Assassin".
All of these books have won the Booker Prize (among other awards) and it proves two things
Tragedy can dependably drive well crafted plots, But too much of a good thing overburdens the reader as the muse of misfortune whispers dark storylines into authors' ears. This, of course, also goes to show that there are surely reason why a book would or would NOT be shortlisted for the prize. The description of such tragedies as; rape, incest, child molestation and murder are startling and in some
ways tactless. Many would call this an "unabashed and unashamed" way to handle the issues, however, many would also find such descriptions to be shocking and overly blatant. Subtlety and tact should also be employed - so the author doesn't drown the reader in the all pervasive mood of depression. In good faith, I cannot recommend a book which describes such things in an explicit and overbearing manner Ms. MacDonald certainly seems a tad overambitious to describe all the misery, controversial and difficult subjects of the world in one neat little novel. Everything from explicit homosexuality, racism and religious fanaticism is covered within the pages of FOYK - it is almost too much for the reader to absorb everything and still believe these characters are a portrayal of human beings. It would serve Ms. MacDonald well to focus on ONE tragedy and spiral outward may have proved to be more "reader friendly" and more thought provoking and touching. This much despair only turns the reader off in many cases and drives them away from really understanding the characters. There is also something to be said for the themes Ms. MacDonald presents in her book. Essentially this is an old and overdone archetype; Women are good, nurturers and their love is pure, while men are bad, violent, their love being self motivated and short lived. The theme is played out to its fullest as the novel spans the generations and especially in the culmination of Kathleen's love affair in New York. I think readers are tired of this kind of archetype. Especially when so much of the misery is brought upon by male characters. This is not to say the female characters aren't devious or evil in their own way, but one would be hard pressed to find any well characterized male who was good. Indeed "good men" are depicted vaguely and are few and far between. The only woman, Materia, who seemed to have any sense in the novel - is a lonely and shunned women, ignored by her husband and alienated from her family. She was killed off early in the book and its a wonder any of her redeeming qualities were even revealed in the book through the eyes of her younger daughters. Ms. MacDonald is superb in her writing, the descriptions of places and situations and even some characters literally jump off the page, but the last part of the book makes the characters as unrealistic as they once appeared lively in my imagination. Ms. MacDonald is a talented author, her prose and imagery is wonderful. As well, the structure of the book is excellent in drawing the reader in. You will find that you are told the "superficial" story but may not know why or how certain events occur which are then revealed later on. This certainly serves to keep a bit of suspense in the readers mind, and you may go back to read earlier chapters just to understand what they "really meant" in the light of the new information you have just read 200 pages ahead. Some people do not like a storyline that winds, but Ms. MacDonald does it effortlessly and intricately. I cannot overlook the fact there are definetly bright points about this book, but they are overshadowed with the horror and misfortune every character in the book, and essentially the reader, must endure.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and ambitious
Review: This is a remarkably ambitious book - for a first time novelist or otherwise. The story and character development are complex and well executed. MacDonald weaves a rich body of knowledge throughout her characters, opening up new worlds to her readers. Her prose borders on poetry and is exactly as one reviewer put it: like someone whispering a secret in your ear. Its beauty, however, never dominates the content - which is stark in its portrayal of the complexities of human nature, the ways in which we are good and evil all at once. I truly was blown away by this book - sure the plot was great and riveting but it MacDonald's ability to capture the human condition and then redeem it. Not a saccharine redemption but one that accomodates all the sins of man (and woman) even as it transcends them.
Rating:
Summary: "Fall on Your Knees" Falls on Its Face
Review: This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. And the sad thing is that it showed such promise during the first 150 pages. An epic of melodramatic situations, unbelievable characters, and silly plot twists that try to shock rather than tell a story. The author tries to elevate this purile contrivance by covering it with lofty language, arabic sayings (which are not translated), and religious metaphors. I guess this is what dupes some people into thinking they are reading good literature. Ms. MacDonald has succeeded in passing off this travesty as a high-minded read when in fact it is nothing more than a series of Jerry Springer episodes placed on paper. At least Springer is more honest--he doesn't try to pass himself off as Masterpiece Theatre.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Recommended, Fantastic Writing
Review: This is wonderfully written novel! The descriptions of the town, the descriptions of a singing voice, the descriptions of a struggling family, this novel is written in a way that will paint lasting pictures in your mind. Though the main revelations in this novel have deeply disturbing undertones, both the detailed prose and the over-all layout (which skips between sequences and time) are fantastic. The personalities of each sister are laid out in a way that makes you feel as though you know them personally: the esteemed daughter, the caretaker, the sarcastic rebel, and the baby. Each chapter leaves the reader wanting a resolution, but it makes you wait to assemble the pieces and discover true conclusions. This book doesn't contain "filler", and I was certainly never bored. Although, I was disappointed when I finally finished reading this novel, and I have had a tough time finding another novel with such a complete, beautifully written storyline.
Rating: 
Summary: Average
Review: I thought this book was ok, but not worth all the praise it was recieving. It's a story about a family with four daughters living in a coal mining town somewhere in Canada(??). The family has many prblems, none of them humorous. It is a pretty morbid story, and it flits from one person's point of view to another, making it hard to ever really get to know any one character. I also think parts were rather unbelievable and unlikely. It didn't captivate the attention of the reader enough to make up for the length. If you want to, go ahead and read this but I do not reccommend it. Try something else.
Rating:
Summary: Why did it have to end??!!
Review: For a first novel, this book is absolutely outstanding. I was blown away by the beauty of the writing. The story was wonderfully written and the words just flew off the page as I was reading so quickly. I could not put it down!
All of the characters were very well developed and very unique. The reader must feel sympathy for ALL of them. Each of them has their own flaws and problems. But together they make a great story.
I honestly can recommend this book as one of the best fairy-tales-gone-bad that I have ever read. FALL ON YOUR KNEES will leave you craving more.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down (most of the time)...
Review: I think giving 'Fall on your knees' either only one or the full five stars is exaggerating its flaws and strengths. Personally, I enjoyed (if that is the right word) the first part of the story (centering on James, Materia and Kathleen) and the last part (the feeling of family between the four of them -- Lily, James, Mercedes and Frances, and then Kathleen's diary) far more than the middle (Frances's exploits with the nightclub and Ginger, which I found quite puzzling). When the author focuses on the relationships between the four sisters and their parents, I think the writing is at its best, and some parts -- Lily destroying the family tree, for example -- are very moving. However, when she branches out into the side characters -- Teresa, Ginger, Ralph, etc., I found myself confused and uninterested. I also think that two characters in the book died prematurely (and believe me, there were more deaths in this story proportionate to the amount of characters than a good Shakespearean tragedy): Materia and Kathleen. In my mind, they (especially Kathleen) were the most interesting characters in the book, and I felt that the story of Kathleen's voice was neglected for that of her love for Rose. And Materia...well, she just becomes silent -- a stereotypical 'Ayrab' cook-mother-automaton. I would have liked to know more. Another thing: the back cover proclaimed the book 'hilarious.' I do appreciate the stranger varieties of humour (Monty Python, for instance), but I certainly didn't find any hilarity in this book. The only time I came close to laughing was when I read Kathleen's descriptions of her German singing teacher. Overall, I felt that the book was a brave first attempt with some brilliant writing, and, for all its melodrama, it deserves more than one star.
Rating:
Summary: It's not about puppies and kittens...
Review: I just finished reading "Fall on Your Knees" and I think it is one of the best books I have read in a while. People are giving this book negative reviews simply because they find it oh, so depressing. While it's true that this book isn't about cute puppies and kittens playing with laughing children in a park and bubble gum and cotton candy, it is GOOD! If you are not mentally prepared to read a book that is about a family that has some serious problems, then I would not recommend this book to you. But, if you are ready to read an amazing story with very unique and individual characters and the dramas and yes, sometimes, tragedies of their lives, then please read this book! I found my self laughing as well as gasping in surprise at the events in this book. I'll admit, it is a lot to get through, but the end benefit of finishing this book is completely rewarding...at least it was to me. I feel like this book is somewhat of a puzzle that you are able to put all of the pieces together, the more that you read. And, I found the ending to be outstanding. I usually rate a book on how good it is based upon how I feel when I finish it. All I know is that when I finished this book, I thought, "WOW! That was a great and moving story". I would definetly recommend it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing family drama with a wry humor
Review: Anne-Marie MacDonald's first novel kept leaping off my bedside table, the story looming larger and larger with each section. What begins as a family saga at the turn of the twentieth century twists and turns into a psychological study of familial love, lies, and distorted perspective. Ms. MacDonald illustrates various traits of human nature while telling a story that keeps folding us into itself. A highly recomended read when you have the time to consume cover to cover.
Rating:
Summary: Too long and dissappointing...
Review: This book holds a lot of promise with its intrigue and plot twists. But it fails to deliver a big impact consistently. Even though it is exceptionally written, it wanders too much, particularly in the middle. James is too much of a one-sided character. He is a sick, unlikable man and it is hard to read and accept the tragedies he brings to his daughters. I found it disturbing but just for the sake of it. It deals with the horrors of incest in a cliche way-- makes you feel very impatient and disgusted without any hope for redemption. The outlook of the book was not fresh nor unique. It just blends with mediocre literature.
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