FALLING UNDER [Kindle Edition]

Danielle Younge-Ullman (Author)

Book Description

Gutsy and provocative, FALLING UNDER is the story of a reclusive young artist struggling to connect in a world she doesn't entirely trust.

Mara Foster is a mess. A rollercoaster of a childhood made a survivor of her, but as an adult she is a mass of contradictions and unrealized potential. Talented, fierce and smart, but burdened by a host of anxieties, Mara finds it difficult to leave the house most days, much less imagine anything resembling normalcy.

Then Mara meets Hugo, and the walls she has built around herself begin to crumble. As she fights for a breakthrough both in her art and in life, she must come to terms with her complicated past, in order to gain a second chance at happiness.

Written in spare, crisp prose and marked by wry humor, FALLING UNDER is a gripping contemporary tale of human frailty, friendship, and hard-earned redemption.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fierce, erotic and absolutely fearless, this riveting debut tunnels into the psyche of a young artist who is as self-destructive as she is talented. To transform her career and have any sort of shot at happiness, she must grapple with thorny secrets from her past and open herself up to the terror of love. Shocking and moving, FALLING UNDER is as edgy as a razor blade and unlike anything you've ever read before." - NYT Bestselling author Caroline Leavitt, reviewing for Dame Magazine

"FALLING UNDER is one of the most compelling debut novels I've read in a long time. It is gutsy, emotional, sexually charged and, because of its second-person narrative style, unremittingly intense. Younge-Ullman writes her guts out, hurtling forward, pedal to the floor. The result is a gripping story, crackling with energy." - The National Post

"Here's a debut novel that delivers...The story of Mara, a talented painter so beset by her demons and fears that can she can barely leave her house, is set alongside the story of Mara's childhood, and I got the rare experience of both plunging forward with the story and stepping back to applaud the technical skill and bravery of the execution. Extreme, and extremely well done!" - Kim Alexander for XM Radio Fiction Nation

"A dramatic and intense first novel. Part coming of age, part artistic exploration, part love story, FALLING UNDER is a layered and assured debut." - Canadian Bookseller Magazine

"Younge-Ullman has a talent for turning the shadows of life into a thing of beauty, almost poetry." - Curled Up With A Good Book

"...hard-hitting and explosive, with a raw energy that left me breathless."- Goodhousekeeping.com

About the Author

Danielle Younge-Ullman is a novelist, playwright and freelance writer. She studied English and Theater at McGill University, then returned to her hometown of Toronto to work as professional actor for ten years. Her one-act play, 7 Acts of Intercourse, debuted at Toronto's SummerWorks Festival in 2005. Danielle lives in Toronto with her husband, two daughters, and their dog, Finny. Falling Under is her first novel.

For more information including updates, a book club reading guide and links to interviews and podcasts, visit the author's website: danielleyoungeullman.com

Product Details

• File Size: 482 KB
• Print Length: 368 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005OKB3XO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,440 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Ending! July 30, 2008

By Neil and Tracy

Format:Paperback

Falling Under explores the complexity of what happens after a child grows up with parents who are too caught up in their own struggles to care for their own daughter. Mara Foster is used to having to care for her alcoholic father and tiptoe around her heartbroken mother. As an adult Mara uses her sexuality to push her demons away. She discovers a passion and success as an artist. But Mara continues to struggle as an adult after she experiences a tragedy. When she finally finds someone who just wants to love her, she finds herself struggling to open herself up again. And there is that special someone else who she is bound together with body and soul, by a dark secret.

"My skin, all at once, is like an open wound, my insides a battlefield. There is no thought to trace it to, no moment of warning before it happens, and yet I should have known I wouldn't be able to do this.

No matter what my heart begs, my body will not let me love.'

Falling Under may sound like it is all dark and dreary. But there are lots of wonderful funny moments as Mara navigates through her life. I loved Mara's character. Danielle Younge-Ullman's writing made me feel Mara's heartbreak deep in her soul. Women will find themselves identifying with her. Her best friend since childhood, Bernadette is a wonderfully fun character. And then there are those two men competing for her heart. When I reached the end I, found myself turning to the front cover and then suddenly it all made sense. The ending is amazing and I won't say anymore because you will want to have the experience for yourself. I highly recommend Falling Under. There are compelling subjects for discussion for book clubs, such as alcoholism, absentee parents, and then that wonderful ending. Believe me, the discussions will be heated. I look forward to many more books from this author.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty and engaging. July 30, 2008

By Joanne

Format:Paperback

Wow, this debut by author Danielle Younge Ullman left me breathless. Gritty, dark and very thought-provoking, Falling Under is a must read.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark, heart-breaking and funny November 15, 2011

By Maureen McGowan

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's not often that one finds a book that's simultaneously dark and deep but also funny. The characters in this book are real the emotions resonate and my heart broke for Mara as she struggles to get out from under her damaged childhood. Can't recommend this book enough.

More About the Author

Danielle Younge-Ullman is a novelist, playwright and freelance writer who has always had a passion for books, language and storytelling. Danielle attained her BA in English and Drama from McGill University in Montreal, then returned to her hometown of Toronto to work as professional actor for ten years. This was character-building time during which she held a wild variety of acting and non-acting jobs--everything from working on the stage with Soulpepper Theatre (a high point!) to dubbing English voices for Japanese TV (an interesting point!), to temping, to teaching Pilates. Danielle's short story, Reconciliation, will be published in a McGraw-Hill Anthology for young adults in 2012 her, one-act play, 7 Acts of Intercourse, debuted at Toronto's SummerWorks Festival in 2005, and her work has appeared in The Quill & Quire and Corridors magazine. Danielle lives in Toronto with her husband, two daughters, and their dog, Finny. FALLING UNDER is her debut novel.

For more information including updates, a book club reading guide and links to interviews and podcasts, visit www.danielleyoungeullman.com.