And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott
A mind-bending, razor-sharp look at motherhood and mental health that follows a young Indigenous woman who discovers the picture-perfect life she always hoped for may have horrifying consequences.
On the surface, Alice is exactly where she thinks she should She’s just given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Dawn; her charming husband, Steve—a white academic whose area of study is conveniently her own Mohawk culture—is nothing but supportive; and they’ve moved into a new home in a posh Toronto neighborhood. But Alice could not feel like more of an impostor. She isn’t connecting with her daughter, a struggle made even more difficult by the recent loss of her own mother, and every waking moment is spent hiding her despair from Steve and their ever-watchful neighbors, among whom she’s the sole Indigenous resident. Even when she does have a minute to herself, her perpetual self-doubt hinders the one vestige of her old She has her goal of writing a modern retelling of the Haudenosaunee creation story.
Then strange things start to happen. She finds herself losing bits of time and hearing voices she can’t explain, all while her neighbors’ passive-aggressive behavior begins to morph into something far more threatening. Though Steve assures her this is all in her head, Alice cannot fight the feeling that something is very, very wrong and that in her creation story lies the key to her and Dawn’s survival. She just has to finish it before it’s too late.
Review:
I received an advance copy of this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so wild and complex! It’s a captivating journey through the complexities of mental health and the struggles faced by First Nation tribes in Canada.
The story revolves around Alice, a Mohawk woman who has just given birth to her daughter, Dawn. On the outside, Alice’s life seems perfect. She lives in an upscale Toronto neighborhood with her husband, Steve, an academic specializing in Mohawk culture. They have a lovely house in a peaceful (and very white) Toronto neighborhood. This life is much different than what Alice is used to. She grew up on a reservation without many of the niceties she now has at her fingertips. One would think Alice would be happy with her new life, but honestly, she feels like an impostor, and no matter where she goes, she feels as though everyone is staring at her and out to get her. Is it her imagination, or is everyone really out to get her? Not only does she struggle with feeling like an outsider, but she also struggles to connect with her newborn daughter and still battles with guilt over the recent loss of her mother.
Elliott’s vivid descriptions allow readers to delve deep into Alice’s emotions and fractured psyche, feeling the weight of her despair and self-doubt. As Alice tries to reclaim her old identity by writing a modern adaptation of the Haudenosaunee creation story, strange things begin to happen. She experiences gaps in her memory and hears unexplained voices. Simultaneously, her neighbors’ hostile behavior becomes increasingly menacing. Trees start to whisper, the neighborhood houses all seem to be stalking her, and why does Disney’s Pocahontas keep popping up? Is she being stalked by something paranormal, or is it all in her head?
The author skillfully weaves together Alice’s personal journey with the larger context of mental health issues. With profound insight, Elliott sheds light on the struggles and stigma associated with mental health within Indigenous communities. The book’s descriptive style fully immerses readers in the story. Elliott’s writing captures your attention from the very first page and does not let go until the final words, and if you’re like me, they’ll leave a lasting impact.
The plot is intricately woven, and the author seamlessly blends themes of mental health, identity, and cultural preservation into a single narrative. The pacing is just right, allowing for moments of reflection and introspection while maintaining a gripping momentum.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to tackle serious issues sensitively and respectfully. Elliott treats her characters with care, ensuring they are multidimensional and believable. Readers will root for Alice as she struggles to find her voice and confront the demons within her mind and her community. I was so caught up in her story that I began to question my own sanity.
And Then She Fell is an important and timely addition to contemporary literature and I love that it approaches these heavy topics so skillfully and with a touch of horror. Through Alice’s story, Alicia Elliott shines a light on the often overlooked experiences of Indigenous people and all they’ve endured since white settlers swept in, stole their land, and killed off many of their family members. This is an important piece of work that will garner plenty of discussions.
