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Some books are easy to describe—like an easy-going romantic comedy that neatly checks all of the boxes. Others, however, are more of a challenge. And the surreal teen novel When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson is definitely one that defies description in all the best of ways.
The story travels to a magical town in Northern California, where 12-year-old Dizzy Fall lives with her mother and brothers. Before Dizzy was even born, her father, Theo, disappeared—and the family has never recovered. But then, just as the Falls are hitting rock bottom, a mysterious rainbow-haired girl appears in town. She saves Dizzy’s life—and saves her seventeen-year-old brother, Miles, from his misery—before being there just when nineteen-year-old Wynton needs someone the most. And she brings with her stories of love and heartbreak and generations of Fall sibling rivalries.
As it weaves together the tales of different families through different generations—from the magical to the mundane—this novel takes a cast full of eccentric characters and turns them into something that feels strange and ethereal. It reads like a dream—the kind from which you wake in a haze.
There are so many characters and so many stories that are twisted and tangled together here, yet they all feel well balanced. As mystery girl Cassidy gradually opens up about her own story about growing up on the road with a troubled single mom, Miles finds out about his own family’s tragic past while on a desperate road trip with the gigantic man of his dreams. And just when you think you’ve learned all you can learn about these families, you turn the page to yet another surprise—another tale of love or heartbreak or betrayal.
Admittedly, the whimsical style and dreamlike narrative can feel draining after a while. This is the kind of book that you can’t rush; you simply have to absorb it all as you go—and because of that (and the fact that it’s more than 500 pages long), it’s certainly not a quick read. But, despite its length and its rather misty tone, it’s the kind of read that feels airily satisfying in the end.
When the World Tips Over isn’t a light and easy-going mainstream read. It’s strange and mystical and rather winding. But if you’re looking for something different, you’ll find yourself caught up in the magic and mystery—and passions—of the Fall family.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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