Review: Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I don't know what the hype is about. The "Groundhog Day" premise is still an interesting draw to the story, but I was expecting the main character, Sammy, to eventually decide to turn around her whole attitude and life, like Bill Murray's character did. She did not. The conclusion fell totally flat and I didn't feel as if the character had learned anything or changed much at all.

The story starts with all the shock value of high school teens entrenched in issues of sexuality, alcohol, and disregard for laws and rules that would keep them safe, but the resolution did NOT involve a real "coming of age" theme in which Sammy or any of her friends realize the recklessness of their ways and decide to try and behave in a more mature manner.

She basically swapped one crush for another - who was admittedly more worthy of it but who still behaved as if he wasn't living the same day over and over again and instead acted as if his emotions were progressing at the same rate as the character who was living the same day again and again. It didn't feel right or genuine.

The worst part is that when Sammy figured out there was ONE MAJOR ISSUE that she could work to correct/fix/atone for, she didn't really fix the source of the issue. The source was her awful friend, Lindsay. If Samantha had TRULY come to care in a more mature and understanding way, she would have helped her friend Lindsay come to a state of repentance and emotional closure with her past issues. And they both would have a newfound courage to continue on a more responsible and less selfish past. But she didn't. THEY didn't.

When the "groundhog day" cycle ended, Sammy and all her friends started and continued the same day in almost the exact same way. Sammy's best change of heart was that she treated her family, especially her little sister, a lot better. And her inner dialogue sounded like she appreciated her friends more, but she didn't really DO anything to try and help them see a more selfless way to make it through high school. The conclusion just didn't cut it.


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