ABOUT
THE BOOK

2015 Longlist

WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR 2013

‘I’ll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name’s Simon. I think you’re going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he’ll be dead. And he was never the same after that.’
There are books you can’t stop reading, which keep you up all night.

There are books which let us into the hidden parts of life and make them vividly real.

There are books which, because of the sheer skill with which every word is chosen, linger in your mind for days.

The Shock of the Fall is all of these books.

The Shock of the Fall is an extraordinary portrait of one man’s descent into mental illness. It is a brave and groundbreaking novel from one of the most exciting new voices in fiction.

(From Publisher)

About the Author

Nathan Filer is a registered mental health nurse. He is also a performance poet, contributing regularly to literary events across the UK. His work has been broadcast on television and radio. The Shock of the Fall is his first novel.

Librarian’s Comments

The novel addresses the issues of mental illness in a deft and compelling manner, opening a window into the unimaginable psyche of a boy living with the guilt of this brother’s death. From an innocent boy to a troubled young man, the protagonist’s story is beartiful, fascinating, confusing, depressing and yet incredibly touching. This is a novel about grief, forgiveness and acceptance.