BOOK REVIEW • THE SHOCK OF THE FALL

I have been going back and re- reading some of my old books lately that were on my bookshelf, especially one's which focus on mental health issues. This one is an amazing read, called 'The Shock Of The Fall' by Nathan Filer. It is based on a a first person experience, showing what it feels like to be suffering from Schizophrenia. This book was a 'Costa Book of the Year' from 2013.

The author, Nathan Filer, is a mental health nurse. He has worked in psychiatric wards for more than a decade, and had the intention to carry on doing so too, so that he could keep up his registration in nursing. This book was a product of his MA for creative writing at the Bath Spa University.

 Filer shares the story of a boy named Matthew from Brighton, only 20 years old (almost as old as I am soon), going through a traumatic time after his brothers death, he is grieving and then develops schizophrenia throughout it all. I would just like to put a warning out there to anybody who is easily triggered, please do not read this book as it is kind of graphic at times. 

The front and back covers look beautiful, I especially love the golden tree. However, many people have argued that is it not a suitable cover as it is too 'cutesy' looking, and the story is a lot more complex than that.

I love the layout of the book inside as well, as it has words scattered everywhere too, which shows his thoughts and what is going on inside his brain. There are also certain definitions to some words, describing what Matthew is currently going through and defining it, at the beginning of a chapter. 

At the end of the book, there is a sort of one to one interview of questions and answers with the author himself, which I adore in a book, and find really interesting as I love to get to know the reasons why they decided to write something in such a way. 

For a first novel, this book is honestly a brilliant read! I admire how Nathan Filer has put in his professional life in to a real life perspective, to raise awareness for this mental health condition and show people it is okay and it will be okay in the end. 

I hope you enjoyed reading and looking through this visual book review. Will you be reading this book too? Or have you already? Let me know what your thoughts were!

-ROSEYGOLDBOX-

♡