Before I Fall

Sam Kingston is dead.

Except she isn't.

On a rainy February night, Sam is killed in a horrific car crash. But instead of seeing a tunnel of light, she wakes up in her own bed, on the morning of the same day.

Forced to live through the same events the drive to school, skipping class, the fateful party she struggles to alter the outcome, but wakes up again on the day of the crash. What follows is the story of a girl who comes of age in a matter of days. Who discovers, through heartbreaking insights, the consequences of her every action. Of a girl who dies young, but in the process learns how to live. And who falls in love . . . a little too late.

“This is very special . . . It's full of 'what ifs' and raw emotion”

In her debut novel, Lauren Oliver channels all the awkwardness and wonder of teenage consciousness within a poignant framework...as someone said of Nick Hornby, it takes a mature writer to describe immaturity, Lauren Oliver proves this to be true in her thought provoking memorable debut. - Herald Sun

the tone is balanced by the suspense and knowing asides about how schoolgirls really think and operate -the author herself is only 25. In learning the consequences of every action, the dawning of compassion and capacity to love, Oliver gets to the heart of the matter-what it means to live a good life that transcends the typical high-school thriller. - Sunday Times Perth

It s a powerful story with a great message. - Girlfriend

an incredible debut...This exquisitely written novel renders perfectly the world of today's teenager... this inspiring tale refrains from simple moralising, instead surprising us with a superbly complex and humane ending. - Hobart Mercury

Forget reality and enjoy this achingly heartbreaking debut...an excellent read. - NW

Drawing comparisons with the bestselling The Lovely Bones, this is the story of 18-year-old Sam Kingston, who is killed in a car crash one rainy night... Oliver packs a powerful message in her teenage voice.' - The Sunday Telegraph

Poignant . . . This tale of second chances will have you clinging on to your Kleenex - Now

'BEFORE I FALL is beautifully written; brave, sincere and very addictive. It captures the essence of high-school brilliantly, and will have you laughing, crying and philosophising. I wholeheartedly recommend BEFORE I FALL. The best book I ve read in the last year.' -

Lauren Oliver was previously an editorial assistant at a publishing house in New York. A graduate of the University of Chicago and the MFA program at New York University, she is now a full-time writer and lives in Brooklyn, New York. BEFORE I FALL is her first novel.

Sam Kingston is dead. Except she isn't. On a rainy February night, Sam is killed in a horrific car crash. But instead of seeing a tunnel of light, she wakes up in her own bed, on the morning of the same day. Forced to live through the same events the drive to school, skipping class, the fateful party she struggles to alter the outcome, but wakes up again on the day of the crash. What follows is the story of a girl who comes of age in a matter of days. Who discovers, through heartbreaking insights, the consequences of her every action. Of a girl who dies young, but in the process learns how to live. And who falls in love . . . a little too late.

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