Defenestrate: The debut to fall for in 2023

The debut novel by Dina Nayeri is a hypnotic and addictive story narrated by a young woman meditating on the malleable, breakable bonds keeping her family from falling apart. It explores the mysterious curse that has plagued their family for centuries, causing them to suffer various types of falls. When Nick tumbles out of a window and ends up seriously injured, Marta must embark on a quest to discover whether or not his fall was intentional and to stop her family from falling apart. The novel is praised for its original and engaging writing, with an idiosyncratic humour that reminded readers of Ottessa Moshfegh.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

The captivating debut novel, narrated by a young woman meditating on the malleable, breakable bonds keeping her family from falling apart, has been described as hypnotic and addictive by the New York Times. The story begins with a superstition in Marta's family, passed down from her great-great-grandfather Jirí, who was said to have given a gentle push to a stonemason who wronged him. As a result, the stonemason fell to his death, and the family fled Prague for the American Midwest, where they started a new life.

Marta and her brother Nick, deeply intertwined twins, are haunted by a mysterious curse that has plagued their family for centuries. This curse has led them to suffer various types of falls, causing them to be entangled in a web of secrets and lies. When Nick tumbles out of a window and ends up seriously injured, Marta must embark on a heartbreaking quest to discover whether or not his fall was intentional. She must also find a way to stop her family from falling apart, as the curse seems to have a hold on them stronger than ever before.

The novel is filled with original and engaging characters, each with their own unique struggles and motivations. Marta, for example, is a strong-willed young woman who is determined to uncover the truth about her family's curse and save her brother from its grip. Nick, on the other hand, is a troubled young man who has struggled with his own demons and is torn between his love for his family and his desire for freedom.

The novel also explores the themes of family, loyalty, and forgiveness. Marta must navigate the complex web of relationships between her family members, including her parents, her brother, and her grandmother, as they all struggle to cope with the consequences of the curse. She must also learn to forgive her family members for their past mistakes and accept them for who they are, even if they have hurt her in the past.

The writing in the novel is beautiful and evocative, with vivid descriptions of the American Midwest and the family's Czech heritage. The author's idiosyncratic humour, reminiscent of Ottessa Moshfegh, adds a touch of lightness to the otherwise dark and emotional story.

Overall, "The Curse of the Fall" is a captivating debut novel that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to explore complex themes and emotions in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

Weight: 195g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529114485