Breaking the Fall

by Michael Cadnum

Stanley becomes addicted to a ritual during which he uses fear to make himself feel alive, but suddenly Stanley is faced with the difficult choice of how to break the pattern before the danger of his habit can swallow him up.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

About the author

Michael Cadnum has had a number of jobs over the course of his life, including pick-and-shoveler for the York Archaeological Trust, in York, England, and substitute teacher in Oakland, California, but his true calling is writing. He is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion. His Calling Home and Breaking the Fall were both nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award. He is a former Creative Writing Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts. Also a poet, he has received several awards, including Poetry Northwest's Helen Bullis Prize and the Owl Creek Book Award. Michael lives in Albany, California, with his wife Sherina.

Reviews

[Jecille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I read this multiple times when I was a little girl and I'm not sure I ever truly understood until now.


This was a super sad story of a boy trying to fit in, in multiple places.

It was written a little jaggedly and at times it's not clear how characters ate connected but in such a short read those are the kinds of things that get left behind.

Other than those continuity issues, this was beautifully written. Stanley tries to navigate communications and interactions with multiple people in his life and its write heartbreaking to watch him stuggle to fill multiple roles with the people of his life.

I don't know how to feel about book, I'm just glad I got to read it through older eyes

[Hasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this when I was little and after all these years this being still in my memory I'm inclined to say that it's one of those that sticks with you. Not a classic but when you're 12 and looking for a light reading this definitely would captivate you and keep you hooked.

It is this sad and harrowing look into a young boy's life and the depression surrounding it and how everything seems spiraling out of control. Filled with thoughts of young love and rebellion, I would say that that it might not be the best written text out there but for kids this is definitely a very good read.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you in your feelings! Very good read but it has its moments of what you would hope to never see in a person's life or a person to go through. Good book!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s called the game and its inventor is Jared. How do you play the game?

You have to break into a house, a house that has people in it. You have to go to their bedroom, take something…and then you can leave.
Stanley wants to be accepted by Jared, but first he has to play and ‘win’ the game.

And Stanley also has fallen in love with Sky, a beautiful girl in his class; he pals around with her brother, but if she finds out about Stanley playing the game….

Stanley struggles – he tells Jared he’s finished…and yet…and yet…he doesn’t want to be a coward…he wants to be a winner.

So here’s his plan….and it’s a risky one.

Just what is his plan? Forget the phone, grab a snack, lock your door and jump on this incredible page turner to find out! You won’t be sorry!

[Keara]

This book looked like an interesting read, so I bought it at the library sale. TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE! I made it to the third page and I already wanted to put it down. But I kept going because I wanted to give it a chance to redeem itself. BIG mistake. Suddenly, it said... the f-word. AH!