Book Review - The Shock of the Fall (Nathan Filer)

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filey had me hooked so much I read the book in three days. This was my local book group read and a great choice, though I'd never heard of it.

When Matt's brother dies in an accident during a family summer holiday when Matt's nine years old his whole world changes. His mother becomes over protective and is always taking him to see the doctor, until one doctor realises that it her mental health that is driving this.  But Matt is suffering too and at seventeen he is sectioned. The story is written in Matt's voice as he writes about what happened that night, about what his life has become and he tries to deal with it - the obsessions, the medication, the other patients, the staff and the repetitive existence of being sectioned. It's frank and shows the impact of death on one family - the guilt and the blame. One character who shines through is Nanny Noo. She never judges and is always supportive. Wonderfully written and hopeful. Despite the subject matter this book is never depressing, This really is a book you should read.