Before the Fall

Publishing Details

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Physical Properties

Description

"I think the war is everywhere: in the rain, in the river, in the grey air that we breathe. It is a current which runs through all of us. You can't escape the current; either you swim with it, or you go under." London Docklands, 1916. With her husband fighting in France, 24-year-old Hannah Loxwood struggles to be everything the war asks her to be. She cares for her children, supports her elderly parents, she pays her way. But as the fighting drags on Hannah grapples with the overwhelming burden of 'duty'. She sacrifices everything for a husband who may never come home until she's faced with the most dangerous of temptations - because what Hannah hasn't realised is that this war has been sent to test the women at home as much as it tests the men abroad.

Reviews

Poignant . . . arresting. * Daily Mail *
As poignant as it is powerful. * Alison MacLeod, author of the Booker Longlisted: Unexploded *
Evocative and powerful. * Good Housekeeping *
This sad, beautiful love story is based on real events. * Woman *
Breathtaking . . . intelligent, wise, and full of passion and courage . . . a superb read. * Louise Douglas, Bestselling author of The Secrets Between Us *
Satisfyingly atmospheric. * Independent on Sunday *
An incredible debut novel . . . superbly drawn. * Historical Novels Review *
An astonishing literary achievement . . . mesmerizing. * Ann Weisgarber, Orange Prize longlisted and Orange New Writers Award shortlisted author of The Personal History of Rachel Dupree *
A stunning debut - a breathtaking portrayal of life and love in all its complexity . . . heartbreaking. * Suzannah Dunn, author of The Confession of Katherine Howard *
A wonderful novel, beautifully evocative . . . passionate and poignant. * lizlovesbooks blog *
West's descriptions of war time London; the poverty, filth, fear and the oppression are, at times, breathtaking. [She] eloquently captures the horrors faced by those left behind. * District Post *
A superbly written book, full of historic details . . . expect to be moved and shaken as the tale unfolds. * The Beesley Buzz *
A compelling read and one that will haunt you for some time to come. * Sussex Style *

Author Bio

Juliet West worked as a journalist before taking an MA in Creative Writing at Chichester University, where she won the Kate Betts' Memorial Prize. Before The Fall, her debut novel, was shortlisted for the Myriad Editions novel writing competition in 2012. Juliet also writes short stories and poetry, and won the H E Bates short story prize in 2009. She lives in West Sussex with her husband and three children.