The Shock of the Fall
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 First edition | |
| Author | Nathan Filer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Psychological fiction |
| Published | 9 May 2013 (UK) |
| Publisher | HarperCollins (UK) St. Martin's Press (US) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, paperback) |
| Pages | 320 pp |
| ISBN | 9780007491452 |
The Shock of the Fall is British author Nathan Filer's debut novel, published in 2013 through HarperCollins. The book tells the story of Matthew Homes, a 19-year-old boy from Bristol, dealing with the death of his older brother. It explores the central themes of loss, guilt, and mental illness. It takes place over three timelines: the present in which Matt is writing; the past when Simon was alive; and the decade after Simon died.
The novel was first published in the UK on 9 May 2013, by HarperCollins. It was originally published in the United States by St. Martin's Press under the title Where the Moon Isn't.[1]
It is a Sunday Times Bestseller and has been translated into over 30 languages.[2]
The novel starts with Matt reciting recollections from his childhood, where he blatantly states that he is not a nice person and has not dealt with pain since scraping his knee at the age of nine. This episode happened when he and his brother Simon went camping with their parents at Ocean Grove Holiday Park in Dorset. After scraping his knee, Simon carries Matt back to where they are staying. Shortly after, Simon, who has Down syndrome and several other medical conditions, is found dead.
In the present, Matt is being treated at the Hope Road Day Centre mental hospital. He was committed there by his parents, Richard and Susan, after his grandmother found him attempting to make a giant ant farm in his flat, which a hallucination of Simon told him to do. Matt finds his experience at the ward repetitive, and often complains about the rigid schedule. One of Matt's therapists asks him to perform a genogram – which eventually makes him remember what happened to Simon by writing about the night he died. It is revealed that Simon's death was the result of a harmless prank gone wrong, where Simon accidentally fell off of a short cliff.
After Simon's parents and the ward doctor, Edward Clement, discuss the progress Matt has made at the ward, he is discharged. The novel ends with Matt awaiting his release, stating that the story does not have an end, as he is still living it.[3][4][5]
Characters
Matthew Homes — main protagonist and narrator of the novel, diagnosed with schizophrenia at 17.
Simon Homes — Matthew's older brother with Down syndrome, who died when Matthew was nine.
Richard Homes — Matthew and Simon's father.
Susan Homes — Matthew and Simon's Mother.
Nanny Noo — Matthew's grandmother, and one of the main characters of the novel, who often helps him out.
Jacob Greening — Matthew's best and only friend, as well as former flatmate.