BOOK TOUR x Random Things Tours - Fall by West Camel

 

Aaron and Clive might be twins, but that's where their similarities start and end. In the four decades since they last spoke, their lives have taken very different directions. Aaron is the lone remaining resident in the broken and derelict tower block they grew up in, the one their own mother designed. While Clive has gone on to be a success - wealthy and prosperous, and now a well-known property developer set on ripping down his childhood home. 

The first time they'll see each other again is when Aaron tries to stop the development - but it's not just about the flats. It's about something deeper. Somewhere deep in the past, there was one beautiful summer that ended up being the brightest and darkest time of their lives, one where they first met another set of mysterious twins and one they've tried to forget but has been following them their whole lives …

Fall is an evocative and mesmerising exploration into family and history, into the monuments and the moments that create who we are and where we've come from. Immersive and descriptive, West Camel has clearly mastered the art of atmospheric writing, challenging the reader to take another look at the people and places they walk past every day. 

A slow-burner full of tension and raw emotion, I wasn't sure initially about this story as it felt like not a lot was happening, but as the pages kept turning that became the beauty of the book. This story wasn't about what happens, it's about the people. It's about complex, flawed, awful, wonderful people and things that happen to them. 

We walk along the characters paths as they learn about racism and privilege, about family, about betrayal and revenge, and about what it is to be human. And it has to be said, West Camel has managed to write about women and explore female independence and liberation in a respectful and thoughtful way that definitely has me intrigued about the rest of his writing.

Fall is a strikingly beautiful piece of literary fiction. 

About The Author 

Born and bred in south London – and not the Somerset village with which he shares a name – West Camel worked as an editor in higher education and business before turning his attention to the arts and publishing. He has worked as a book and arts journalist, and was editor at Dalkey Archive Press, where he edited the Best European Fiction 2015 anthology, before moving to new press Orenda Books just after its launch. He currently combines his work as editorial director at Orenda with editing The Riveter magazine and #RivetingReviews for the European Literature Network.  

He has also written several short scripts, which have been produced in London’s fringe theatres, and was longlisted for the Old Vic’s 12 playwrights project. His debut novel, Attend was published in 2018, and was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and longlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award. His second novel, Fall will be published in December 2021. Follow West on Twitter @west_camel and on his website www.westcamel.net. 

Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours, Karen at Orenda and West Camel for inviting me to take part in this tour. I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.