Since We Fell: A Novel Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

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Since We Fell: A Novel by Dennis Lehane

The readers can download Since We Fell: A Novel Audiobook for free via Audible Free Trial.


Summary

Since We Fell follows Rachel Childs, a former journalist who, after an on-air mental breakdown, now lives as a virtual shut-in. In all other respects, however, she enjoys an ideal life with an ideal husband. Until a chance encounter on a rainy afternoon causes that ideal life to fray. As does Rachel’s marriage. As does Rachel herself.

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10 comments

  • I had high hopes for this story, but about a quarter of the way in, I realized that it wasn't going to get any better. Still, I listened to the whole thing. Julie Whelan, the narrator, did a good job overall, except when it came to distinguishing between male characters – they all ended up sounding the same. After enjoying the film adaptations of Lehane's "Shutter Island," "Mystic River," and "Gone Baby Gone," I was excited to delve into one of his fresh stories. However, as I listened, I couldn't shake the feeling that he wrote this book as if he were a student who had to meet a specific word count on an essay, trying every trick in the book to reach that number. The story became incredibly predictable, even in the way he described things. This was my first time experiencing Dennis Lehane's work, and I'm not sure I'd bother with another one. As the story neared its end, the main character, who had endured unimaginable pain and learned from her mistakes, seemed to simply accept her fate with a shrugged shoulder and a resigned "Well, I guess this is my life now" after making a significant, life-altering decision. From that point on, the clichés piled up faster than a Dennis Lehane simile. All in all, this is not a good book.
  • The protagonists in 'Since We Fell: A Novel' are hard to connect with, as they are flawed and deceptive. The story unfolds with unrealistic and exaggerated situations, where lies dominate every conversation. The absence of virtuous characters and triumphant outcomes makes it challenging to find someone to support or cheer for. Trust is a rare commodity as everyone appears untrustworthy. Positivity seems to elude the characters as well, as they never seem to have a pleasant day. As an avid reader of Dennis Lehane's works, I have found his earlier works to be the most enjoyable. While I believe that most readers will appreciate this book, I personally crave a protagonist who evokes empathy. It would be a pleasant surprise to encounter a happy ending amidst the turmoil. Dennis, please create a character that I can truly invest in and provide us with a satisfying conclusion.
  • I absolutely loathed this book! It felt like four subpar narratives haphazardly thrown together, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying reading experience. It left me with a feeling of indifference, as if the story and its characters were of no consequence. It was a massive letdown!
  • The beginning and end of the book feel like they belong to two different genres. The start was a bit slow, but I was genuinely interested in finding out what Rachel would uncover. However, the second half seemed unnecessarily complicated, as if it was trying too hard to introduce another twist. Yet, upon closer examination, there weren't even that many surprising moments. I found the character rather dull and ended up forcing myself to finish the last few chapters, hoping for some resolution. Overall, this was my initial experience with this author, and I must say, I'm quite disappointed.
  • Usually, even if a book is just mediocre, I have the tendency to power through and finish it. However, out of all the books I've listened to on this service (which is about two or more per month), this is only the second one that I couldn't bring myself to complete. I kept holding out hope that it would improve, that I would become engrossed in Rachel's psychological struggles, but halfway through, I had to face the reality that the only emotion I was experiencing was extreme boredom. It's honestly quite surprising considering this was written by Dennis Lehane, an author whose books I usually find impossible to put down due to the captivating characters and thrilling plots. Hopefully, this is just a rare misstep from one of the best authors in the game.
  • Rachel Childs, a journalist who appears on-air, has been greatly influenced by various people in her life. These include her strict and highly opinionated mother, who happens to be a renowned writer, as well as her charming but empathetically challenged first husband. However, Rachel's life takes a devastating turn when she experiences severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while reporting on the issues in Haiti. In an attempt to heal, she finds solace in her second husband, Brian, who possesses qualities that seem to counterbalance her past experiences. However, everything takes an unexpected turn when Rachel believes she spots Brian on a downtown street, despite him supposedly being in Europe. This intriguing event sets off a series of unexpected twists and turns that will undoubtedly keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Through his skillful storytelling, author Dennis Lehane showcases his talent for delving into the depths of the human psyche, making "Since We Fell: A Novel" an enthralling psychological thriller.
  • I absolutely adore Dennis Lehane's writing. He crafts compelling and gritty narratives with a touch of elegance in his prose. Every now and then, he throws in a profoundly beautiful phrase that demands a moment of appreciation before I can continue. Moreover, I always anticipate the unexpected from him - a twist or turn that catches me off guard. While this book is well-written, it didn't have as many breathtaking phrases that I adore. The plot takes its time to gain momentum, and it wasn't until well past the halfway point that I encountered my first surprise. Due to these two factors, I often forgot that I was reading a book by Dennis Lehane. Julia Whelan delivers her usual high-quality performance, although there were a few instances where I found it challenging to distinguish between the male characters' voices. Despite requiring a bit more suspension of disbelief than usual, this was an intriguing story that grows increasingly gritty and complex as it unfolds. If you find yourself wondering when the plot will pick up, I encourage you to stick with it because once it does, it truly takes off. Overall, it was a satisfying summer read. Thank you, Dennis.
  • The narration was okay, but the actual book was terrible. Such a waste of cash. The book just went on and on, the main character was boring and unpleasant, and there was absolutely no conclusion to it.
  • The start of this novel is rather slow, I have to confess that it stayed on my wishlist for quite some time before I finally decided to give it a listen. Although the beginning is intriguing, it doesn't quite provide the excitement that comes later. Brace yourself for some mind-blowing moments as the story progresses. Once the plot picks up, I found myself hooked and couldn't resist listening to it whenever I had the chance. This thriller is hands down the best one I've listened to all year, and considering I listen to around four a month (thanks to my lengthy commute), that's saying a lot. It's about time they turned this masterpiece into a movie.
  • This book takes you on a wild ride of emotions, filled with love, hate, disgust, and wickedness. I must say, Dennis Lehane, you sentimental old soul, it's hard not to fall in love with this novel.
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