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Julee T's Reviews > Falling
Falling
by
by
"Falling" 20th Anniversary Edition: Provoost Anne.
Keeping in mind that this is a translation of a text originally written in Dutch and set in Belgium that explores the consequences of German occupation during WWII, it would be easy to assume that it carries little weight as a global text.
However "Falling" conveys a very important global message about the impact of intolerance, the bi-generational Influence of political choices and the vulnerability of adolescents to radical beliefs.
In an age where radicalization is a hot political topic and governments world wide are passing legislation to identify and contain extreme beliefs, could there be a more relevant look at past ideologies and their attraction for the young who feel disaffected, bored or lonely?
Although Lucas is anticipating a summer of boredom and disconnection it quickly becomes a season discovery. Lucas is at an age where he feels as though he should be 17. He is uncovering his grandfather's past and the reasons underpinning his mother's judgement and feelings of shame towards her father's beliefs. In doing so he rediscovers his childhood friend and her connection to the fraud and atonement between Lucas' late grandfather and Soeur the last surviving nun in the dilapidated convent across the road, Caitlin and her mother.
In addition there is also the renewal or perpetuation of cultural entitlement against migrant workers as a current theme which adds another layer of currency to the text.
Thankfully there is also both atonement and forgiveness which softens the rather graphics scenes of violence and transgression against those most treasured by Lucas.
Keeping in mind that this is a translation of a text originally written in Dutch and set in Belgium that explores the consequences of German occupation during WWII, it would be easy to assume that it carries little weight as a global text.
However "Falling" conveys a very important global message about the impact of intolerance, the bi-generational Influence of political choices and the vulnerability of adolescents to radical beliefs.
In an age where radicalization is a hot political topic and governments world wide are passing legislation to identify and contain extreme beliefs, could there be a more relevant look at past ideologies and their attraction for the young who feel disaffected, bored or lonely?
Although Lucas is anticipating a summer of boredom and disconnection it quickly becomes a season discovery. Lucas is at an age where he feels as though he should be 17. He is uncovering his grandfather's past and the reasons underpinning his mother's judgement and feelings of shame towards her father's beliefs. In doing so he rediscovers his childhood friend and her connection to the fraud and atonement between Lucas' late grandfather and Soeur the last surviving nun in the dilapidated convent across the road, Caitlin and her mother.
In addition there is also the renewal or perpetuation of cultural entitlement against migrant workers as a current theme which adds another layer of currency to the text.
Thankfully there is also both atonement and forgiveness which softens the rather graphics scenes of violence and transgression against those most treasured by Lucas.
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Falling.
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Reading Progress
July 16, 2017
– Shelved
July 16, 2017
– Shelved as:
to-read
September 28, 2017
–
Started Reading
October 8, 2017
–
Finished Reading
