Review of 'After the Fall' by Kirsten Alexander
Release date: January 29th, 2025
Publisher: Ultimo Press
REVIEW
After the Fall by Kirsten Alexander presented quite an exhilarating ride with its mystery and mayhem! It was a very strange reading experience as it moved from the monotony of the mundane world to the bizarre happenings of the spirit realm. There are more twists and turns in this plot than an itchy snake! Giselle’s ability to be adaptable and flexible in the face of all her challenges, certainly left her open to unusual events and led her to some unexpected friends. There is a real sense of sisterhood in this novel of women helping women out of some terrible predicaments. One message though, that echoes across these pages, is the need to break free from the control of others. For such captivity is deeply destructive to one’s self confidence and mental health.
Giselle is in a toxic marriage and a large portion of the early chapters made me feel terribly distressed for her. It is easy to dislike her controlling abusive husband, how he talks to her, treats her physically and emotionally. She has lost her parents and then her sister dies. Some wild accusations fly around her death. Giselle cannot handle the abuse any longer and leaves Melbourne and escapes to the north Yorkshire village of Hollydale, a place of her mother’s ancestors. Here she meets and become friends with an eclectic group of villagers. Lady Margaret, ghost Etiennette, caretaker Tom and others that help free and strengthen her. Her life takes some bizarre turns (bombs and burials!) but here on the other side of the world, she gets a new start and connects with people who truly care about her and wish to protect her. And the lengths they go in doing that are quite amazing!
Trouble though does follow Giselle for a while and although she runs fast and hard away from the person who taunts and belittles her, he comes to her haven to disrupt and destroy her new sense of purpose. Hollydale is a place where she finds someone who makes her happy and appreciates her for the person she is and continues growing into. It is a relationship that awakens her vital core, her essence. But the horrible husband she left behind re-appears to take all that away. What will she do? Will she free-fall back into the well of fear? Or stand up for herself with her arms /wings stretched wide like a bird ready for flight? She is not alone now. She has support from friends and this changes her and the course of everything.
I have to say the last half of the novel was my favourite and I enjoyed the characters she meets in Hollydale. There are some hair-raising, remarkable moments where the story enters the fantasy realm or another dimension. The unexpected spirit realm (quite a creative take in its presentation, too!) certainly added some lively drama to the mix!
There are many lovely lines in the novel, too. Beautiful descriptions of Etienne. One quote by poet Emily Dickinson: ‘Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.’ These words are raised by Lady Margaret after Giselle talks about her sister Adeline: someone who was kind, loving, smart, funny and well loved by her husband and children. And again Margaret says (she has some great lines many of which I cannot repeat as I will give away the story!) but one that echoes the sisterhood theme is ‘It’s marvellous when women help one another…Warms my heart.’ The rest of that discussion towards the end reveals a lot about Lady Margaret and her unique perspective. Her justification for the course of action is not what most people would say is ‘normal’ as far as ethics, morality and the law are concerned.
This novel is about breaking free, restoration and re-connecting. A fascinating portrait of a woman who has been abused, misunderstood and maligned and one day finds the courage to escape the torture and control that has stolen her identity. It takes going to the other side of the world to gain her freedom. It truly is a fresh start with new friends in a new environment. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Ultimo Press for a review copy.
