Fall on Your Knees

Rating:
Summary: Well Crafted
Review: Who knew upon the first few chapters of the novel, that the plot would twist to such an ending? This is an extremely well written novel, I think, and I was literally unable to out it down. I read and finished 3/4 of the novel on a 12 hour plane trip to Japan. What I loved the most was the foreshadowing, and indiscreet details of Lily's parentage. Infact, being a reader that flies over lines in urgence to know what will happen next, I had to read the novel a second time to know exactly what was going. -One discovers more foreshadowing, and this is NOT a book that is a no-brainer. It takes some intelligence to to read this -not because of the writing style, but because of the subtle connection MacDonald makes. For example, does anyone remember Kathryn's promise to Rose? That there truly were angels, because if Kathryn died before Rose, she would come back to her. And she did, with the return of Lily many years later. Well, that was one factor I realised upon the second time of reading the novel. Little hints of what is to come marvels me as what seems to be a happy little family with a father who loves his children and a mother who loves to cook falls into a very dark and twisted ending. I strongly recommend this novel, and you wil be glad you bought it!

Rating:
Summary: never a letup in this winner
Review: You can't believe the drama in this dark book. Faulkner move over. A different style, but the Snopes family has nothing on the characters of this family.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most memorable books I've read
Review: "Fall On Your Knees" is a truly stunning book -- kind of a cross between John Irving and Charles Dickens. I flew through this sweeping family saga. I was riveted by these characters, their lives, and the life lessons MacDonald illuminates in this very compelling and very moving story. I admired MacDonald's play "Goodnight, Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet" but that work did not prepare me for the grand sweep of her novel. After reading it, I bought four additional copies and gave them to friends. All loved it !

Rating:
Summary: Too Bad They Don't Give Negative Stars as an Option!
Review: If this is someone's idea of great Canadian fiction, I promise to never read another Canadian -penned book again! This was awful. Someone should have told this author that brevity is virtue. I like descriptive narratives, but there's no need to just keep going just for the sake of writing a bigger novel. This story was unbelievable and filled with people with warped characters, morals and consciences. Everyone hated eveyone in the book (exept for all the twisted sexual encounters) and I was quite happy to hate them back. Please, don't listen to people telling you this is so great! It was terrible, don't waste your time or money!

Rating:
Summary: A Dark , Compelling saga
Review: The first couple of pages really drew me in, and I certainly did not know what I was in for. The book was a great read, but definatley emotionally draining at times. I was a little unhappy with the ending, but things don't always turn out Hollywood style.

Rating:
Summary: Powerfull, visually stunning, haunting, gut wrentching
Review: Ann-Marie MacDonald's book Fall on Your Knees is a wonderful example of how powerful well-crafted words can create stunning visual imagery. A woman of the stage, MacDonald knows the power of memory, the feel of material, the smell of life. It is a book that is powerfull, visually stunning, haunting and gut wrentching and I highly reccommend it. The story weaves back and forth between hope and hopelessness, never passing judgement. A family whoes lives are caught up in the realities of our darker side.

Rating:
Summary: I'm still numb!
Review: Just finished this book yesterday and I'm hesitant to recommend it because I only want to hear positive remarks about it! Anyone who enjoyed it should read Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood and should rent the movie Breaking the Waves. Both are the same genre, beautifully disturbing and emotionally rich and raw. It's right up there with my other favorite books of the year: Crossing To Safety, Blessing on the Moon, and White Noise.

Rating:
Summary: There aren't enough stars to express my delight!
Review: MacDonald wrote a wonderful book!! A bit melodramatic, but MacDonald couldn't effectively explore Catholicism without discussing it's many shadows. My body virtually vibrated through every passage... soared and plummeted. Powerful literature does this- touches us in our hearts and in the most raw, secretive part of our souls. Well written, a beautifulstyle! Marvelous Feat!!! Must read her play too!!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing story, fantastic characters
Review: "Fall On Your Knees" is a fabulous book! It is, however, not for the faint-of-heart; there is no happy ending, no knight in shining armour, and no 'warm fuzzy feeling'. This book is depressing! Several friends - girls and guys - recommended it to me and I loved every page of it, sobering as it is.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I was surprised when an acquaintance sent me this book but after reading it, I could understand why she had. "Fall on Your Knees" is the most brilliantly woven saga I have ever read. The characters were tremendously compelling and I felt for each of them. My only problem with this book was that it ended. I actually rationed my reading time to make it last like I do a good piece of chocolate. I want to share it with everyone I care about yet I don't want to let it out of my hands. I'd like to shake the hand of Ann-Marie Macdonald for her tremendous first fiction.