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Second Chances
What do you do when your family's dream becomes a nightmare? Combining the skill of Jodi Picoult with the warmth of Anita Shreve, Charity Norman explores - with heart-thumping tension - a fresh start which goes very badly wrong.
In the quiet of a New Zealand winter's night, a rescue helicopter is sent to airlift a five-year-old boy with severe internal injuries. He's fallen from the upstairs veranda of an isolated farmhouse, and his condition is critical. At first, Finn's fall looks like a horrible accident; after all, he's prone to sleepwalking. Only his frantic mother, Martha McNamara, knows how it happened. And she isn't telling. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Tragedy isn't what the McNamara family expected when they moved to New Zealand. For Martha, it was an escape. For her artist husband Kit, it was a dream. For their small twin boys, it was an adventure. For sixteen-year-old Sacha, it was the start of a nightmare.
They end up on the isolated east coast of the North Island, seemingly in the middle of a New Zealand tourism campaign. But their peaceful idyll is soon shattered as the choices Sacha makes lead the family down a path which threatens to destroy them all.
Martha finds herself facing a series of impossible decisions, each with devastating consequences for her family.
In the quiet of a New Zealand winter's night, a rescue helicopter is sent to airlift a five-year-old boy with severe internal injuries. He's fallen from the upstairs veranda of an isolated farmhouse, and his condition is critical. At first, Finn's fall looks like a horrible accident; after all, he's prone to sleepwalking. Only his frantic mother, Martha McNamara, knows how it happened. And she isn't telling. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Tragedy isn't what the McNamara family expected when they moved to New Zealand. For Martha, it was an escape. For her artist husband Kit, it was a dream. For their small twin boys, it was an adventure. For sixteen-year-old Sacha, it was the start of a nightmare.
They end up on the isolated east coast of the North Island, seemingly in the middle of a New Zealand tourism campaign. But their peaceful idyll is soon shattered as the choices Sacha makes lead the family down a path which threatens to destroy them all.
Martha finds herself facing a series of impossible decisions, each with devastating consequences for her family.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
123 people are currently reading
6066 people want to read
About the author
Charity Norman
19 books581 followersCharity was born in Uganda, brought up in draughty vicarages in Yorkshire and Birmingham, met her future husband under a lorry in the Sahara. She worked as a barrister in York Chambers, until - realising that her three children had barely met her - she moved with her family to New Zealand and began to write.
After the Fall/Second Chances was a Richard & Judy and World Book Night title, The New Woman/ The Secret Life of Luke Livingstone a BBC Radio 2 choice. See You in September (2017) was shortlisted in the Ngaio Marsh Awards. The Secrets of Strangers was a Radio 2 choice and shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh and Ned Kelly Awards. Her seventh, Remember Me, was published in March 2022.
After the Fall/Second Chances was a Richard & Judy and World Book Night title, The New Woman/ The Secret Life of Luke Livingstone a BBC Radio 2 choice. See You in September (2017) was shortlisted in the Ngaio Marsh Awards. The Secrets of Strangers was a Radio 2 choice and shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh and Ned Kelly Awards. Her seventh, Remember Me, was published in March 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews
August 31, 2025
4.5 stars, almost a five. I did not expect this book to be both brilliant and powerful, it was most certainly both. The book is based around the fall of a young boy from a balcony, that in itself is sad enough but it's the back story surrounding this family that really makes for excellent reading.
I felt like I was right there with all the characters, in their home, part of the conversations, it was so real. It tackles some tough family issues and is a book that would be fantastic for a book club. I was not bored for a second reading this book and it kept me on the fringe of getting to the heart of the truth long enough to be satisfying when I got there.
I could not put it down and devoured the last quarter of the book eager to get to the ending and understand. I wasn't let down in any way. Very well written, gutsy book that you should put on your to read list. The characters are so alive and the writing so crisp, the plot taut and keeps you begging for more.
If you like a complex family drama in your reading don't look past this one, it's goes really deep into the heart of what really matters. Great setting and great reading.
Thanks so much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻 Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
I felt like I was right there with all the characters, in their home, part of the conversations, it was so real. It tackles some tough family issues and is a book that would be fantastic for a book club. I was not bored for a second reading this book and it kept me on the fringe of getting to the heart of the truth long enough to be satisfying when I got there.
I could not put it down and devoured the last quarter of the book eager to get to the ending and understand. I wasn't let down in any way. Very well written, gutsy book that you should put on your to read list. The characters are so alive and the writing so crisp, the plot taut and keeps you begging for more.
If you like a complex family drama in your reading don't look past this one, it's goes really deep into the heart of what really matters. Great setting and great reading.
Thanks so much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻 Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
November 3, 2024
Wow! This book is emotional!
First one for me by this author and I've been blown away and will be reading her others. This book is so well written, and the words just form such beautiful sentences.
I felt like I knew these characters, so three dimensional and the relationship between Kit and Martha is something special.
I cried at the end.
Absolutely brilliant.
Five stars.
First one for me by this author and I've been blown away and will be reading her others. This book is so well written, and the words just form such beautiful sentences.
I felt like I knew these characters, so three dimensional and the relationship between Kit and Martha is something special.
I cried at the end.
Absolutely brilliant.
Five stars.
October 6, 2013
This was a very moving and heartbreaking story which I really enjoyed.
Martha and her family have moved from London to New Zealand to start a fresh after her husbands business collapses.
Four year old twins Finn and Charlie are quite excited about the move and are delighted with their new home. However sixteen year old Sacha is not thrilled with moving and is having trouble settling in. Martha is also pleased as her husband Kit stops drinking and starts doing his painting again.
But Martha and Kit don't see the signs of just how unhappy their daughter is until one tragic night threatens to destroy them all.
Finn gets rushed to hospital after falling from the balcony of their home. From here the story alternates between the past, building to the events immediately proceeding Finns injuries.
This is a very compelling and emotional read about a family in crisis and how you sometimes need to hit rock bottom before you can find your way back to the top.
I couldn't put this book down and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Martha and her family have moved from London to New Zealand to start a fresh after her husbands business collapses.
Four year old twins Finn and Charlie are quite excited about the move and are delighted with their new home. However sixteen year old Sacha is not thrilled with moving and is having trouble settling in. Martha is also pleased as her husband Kit stops drinking and starts doing his painting again.
But Martha and Kit don't see the signs of just how unhappy their daughter is until one tragic night threatens to destroy them all.
Finn gets rushed to hospital after falling from the balcony of their home. From here the story alternates between the past, building to the events immediately proceeding Finns injuries.
This is a very compelling and emotional read about a family in crisis and how you sometimes need to hit rock bottom before you can find your way back to the top.
I couldn't put this book down and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
May 8, 2013
Wow...I think I can confidently say that this was one of the best books I have read. They say 'Never judge a book by its cover' and this certainly applied to 'After the Fall'. The innocent happy looking picture on the front cover gives no indication of the trauma which is to unfold. I guess I had a head start with the book. My daughter and her family live in NZ I have visited on many occasions plus I read the NZ newspapers daily online so the geography of the country and the social problems were quite familiar to me. Like most people though one gets generally taken in by the beautiful scenery and laid back lifestyle of the country not realizing there is a dark underbelly that most of us know little about. The book was excellently planned out with a well thought out ending. This is the first book that actually made me cry at the end. Definately going to research the Author somemore. Excellent book and right up my street. Well done Charity Norman !
February 8, 2015
I gave 5 stars to Charity Norman's The Son-in-Law , which had an emotive narrative, characters I really cared about and a moral dilemma that was as heart wrenching as it was soul searching.
I'm not sure what happened with After The Fall. As with The Son In Law it centres around a family in crisis, but despite a promising start I realised around the half way point that I wasn't remotely engaged with either the family or the plot. There was so much irrelevant backstory to plough through that by the time the main crux of the tale finally kicked in, I'd long since lost interest and had started skim reading; a case of too little too late. Very disappointing.
I'm not sure what happened with After The Fall. As with The Son In Law it centres around a family in crisis, but despite a promising start I realised around the half way point that I wasn't remotely engaged with either the family or the plot. There was so much irrelevant backstory to plough through that by the time the main crux of the tale finally kicked in, I'd long since lost interest and had started skim reading; a case of too little too late. Very disappointing.
July 13, 2018
4.5 stars
Oh wow…what a read! Had me guessing until the very end. It’s more than just about a boy falling off a balcony… quite distressing in parts but a brilliant, gripping and emotional read. The McNamara’s are a reasonably happy family who relocate to New Zealand then without warning their life alters. Quite scary how life can unravel in a blink of an eye.
It was a nice change to read a book set in New Zealand, the scenery description was spellbinding and learning of the local legends was fascinating and a bit eerie.
It was a slow start, but once I got to know the McNamara Family, I was hooked. The ending (and parts throughout the book) had me sobbing like a baby so a box of tissues may be needed.
Highly recommended
*Book ‘n’ of the a-z author challenge 2018
Oh wow…what a read! Had me guessing until the very end. It’s more than just about a boy falling off a balcony… quite distressing in parts but a brilliant, gripping and emotional read. The McNamara’s are a reasonably happy family who relocate to New Zealand then without warning their life alters. Quite scary how life can unravel in a blink of an eye.
It was a nice change to read a book set in New Zealand, the scenery description was spellbinding and learning of the local legends was fascinating and a bit eerie.
It was a slow start, but once I got to know the McNamara Family, I was hooked. The ending (and parts throughout the book) had me sobbing like a baby so a box of tissues may be needed.
Highly recommended
*Book ‘n’ of the a-z author challenge 2018
January 19, 2022
"After the Fall" fell flat for me.
Set in the isolated eastern coast of New Zealand, the book begins with a rescue helicopter airlifting a five-year-old boy with severe internal injuries who allegedly fell from an upstairs veranda while sleepwalking.
Did the little boy accidentally fall off the veranda or are hospital authorities seeing a case of child abuse?
In all fairness to author Charity Norman, when I selected the book, I did not realize that it was a family melodrama about addiction. There was nothing in the publisher's descriptive blurb that stated (or even hinted) that it was a book about addiction.
Although the author's character development was strong, the author took an excessively long time to reveal the storyline. The book just dragged on and on and on.
I listened to the audiobook that was almost 14 hours long. The book could have easily been told in 7 hours.
Two stars rounded up.
Set in the isolated eastern coast of New Zealand, the book begins with a rescue helicopter airlifting a five-year-old boy with severe internal injuries who allegedly fell from an upstairs veranda while sleepwalking.
Did the little boy accidentally fall off the veranda or are hospital authorities seeing a case of child abuse?
In all fairness to author Charity Norman, when I selected the book, I did not realize that it was a family melodrama about addiction. There was nothing in the publisher's descriptive blurb that stated (or even hinted) that it was a book about addiction.
Although the author's character development was strong, the author took an excessively long time to reveal the storyline. The book just dragged on and on and on.
I listened to the audiobook that was almost 14 hours long. The book could have easily been told in 7 hours.
Two stars rounded up.
September 14, 2018
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Second Chances by Charity Norman. (2012).
(Published as After The Fall in the UK).
Finn is a 5 year old boy who is severely injured after falling from the upstairs floor of his family's isolated home in New Zealand. It seems like an accident. Only his mother Martha knows how it really happened and she doesn't intend on telling. The family moved from the UK to New Zealand to start afresh but now Martha is faced with decisions she didn't know she would ever have to make, and that have potentially devastating consequences.
This is my second book from this author, the first being See You In September (published 2017). Once again I was hooked by the book and was profoundly affected by it. It felt like you were with Martha every step in the journey, and my heart broke a few times in this story. It traveled a path I wasn't expecting; I won't say more that that (no spoilers here!) but in my humble opinion I found it both powerful as well as realistic in relation to one of the defining elements of the plot. The book swaps between the current timeline and past events leading up to Finn's incident. A very well written complex family drama that you will want to stay up late to finish.
*In only two books Charity Norman has managed to cement her place as one of my favourite authors - now to keep reading the rest of her books!
Second Chances by Charity Norman. (2012).
(Published as After The Fall in the UK).
Finn is a 5 year old boy who is severely injured after falling from the upstairs floor of his family's isolated home in New Zealand. It seems like an accident. Only his mother Martha knows how it really happened and she doesn't intend on telling. The family moved from the UK to New Zealand to start afresh but now Martha is faced with decisions she didn't know she would ever have to make, and that have potentially devastating consequences.
This is my second book from this author, the first being See You In September (published 2017). Once again I was hooked by the book and was profoundly affected by it. It felt like you were with Martha every step in the journey, and my heart broke a few times in this story. It traveled a path I wasn't expecting; I won't say more that that (no spoilers here!) but in my humble opinion I found it both powerful as well as realistic in relation to one of the defining elements of the plot. The book swaps between the current timeline and past events leading up to Finn's incident. A very well written complex family drama that you will want to stay up late to finish.
*In only two books Charity Norman has managed to cement her place as one of my favourite authors - now to keep reading the rest of her books!
January 6, 2013
Charity Norman is a new author to me, having heard on a number of occasions that her work is along the lines of Jodi Picoult I was intrigued to see if her writing can live upto such a great writer.
Martha is a heart-warming character. She always wants to try and do what she thinks is best for her family and when she see’s that the best thing for her marriage would be to move to New Zealand there is one person who isn’t happy with the new plans and that is her daughter Sacha. Sacha is a typical teen and doesn’t like the idea of change and it is as though the whole world is going to come crashing down on her because of the move. I can’t say I loved her character but I do think she was a fantastic character and she is a crucial part to this book and plays the perfect character.
What won me over with this book is how unpredictable it was. At the beginning when we find out that a little boy has fallen from a balcony something didn’t feel right and as we got a few chapters in I had my own little theory as to what really happened but I have to admit I was way off track! There was so many dark twists in this book that I didn’t see coming and this held my attention all the way through.
The story follows the lead up to the accident and every so often there is a chapter back in the present day in the hospital with Finn and Martha. This was not a book that you could easily pick up and put down, you needed your full attention and I found it impossible to put down. I was tense when reading this book I was on the edge of my seat it was so detailed that I actually felt as though I was sitting and watching a film!
This was a very intense and addictive read, I did love the little twins parts in this book they brought a little light to a dark storyline with their little mischief making!
I would recommend this book and I will also be looking forward to reading more books by this author.
AFTER THE FALL HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE 2013 RICHARD AND JUDY SPRING BOOK CLUB!
Martha is a heart-warming character. She always wants to try and do what she thinks is best for her family and when she see’s that the best thing for her marriage would be to move to New Zealand there is one person who isn’t happy with the new plans and that is her daughter Sacha. Sacha is a typical teen and doesn’t like the idea of change and it is as though the whole world is going to come crashing down on her because of the move. I can’t say I loved her character but I do think she was a fantastic character and she is a crucial part to this book and plays the perfect character.
What won me over with this book is how unpredictable it was. At the beginning when we find out that a little boy has fallen from a balcony something didn’t feel right and as we got a few chapters in I had my own little theory as to what really happened but I have to admit I was way off track! There was so many dark twists in this book that I didn’t see coming and this held my attention all the way through.
The story follows the lead up to the accident and every so often there is a chapter back in the present day in the hospital with Finn and Martha. This was not a book that you could easily pick up and put down, you needed your full attention and I found it impossible to put down. I was tense when reading this book I was on the edge of my seat it was so detailed that I actually felt as though I was sitting and watching a film!
This was a very intense and addictive read, I did love the little twins parts in this book they brought a little light to a dark storyline with their little mischief making!
I would recommend this book and I will also be looking forward to reading more books by this author.
AFTER THE FALL HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE 2013 RICHARD AND JUDY SPRING BOOK CLUB!
July 9, 2017
A highly addictive, haunting and heartbreaking tearjerker that keeps me turning the pages, gives me goose pimples and leads me to find myself stifling my sobs. Fantastic!
July 19, 2012
Second Chances
Charity Norman
Allan&Unwin
Paperback
RRP $29.99
Second Chances starts with a news account of the fall of five year old Finn from a first floor balcony of an out of the way property. Finn is flown by rescue helicopter to hospital. As a result he ends up in the intensive care department of the hospital with severe injuries, supposedly the result of an accident while sleepwalking but is it? Or is there more to the story?
The mother plunges the reader into the story as she relates about seeing what happened but being unable to prevent it. But then it reverts back to the events that led Martha to leave her sister and father behind and emigrate from the United Kingdom to New Zealand with her husband Kit, daughter Sacha, and five year old twins Finn and Charlie. Kit is Sacha’s stepfather but father to the twins. The other character who plays an interesting part and inhabits Martha’s head with her negative comments is her dead mother. She is the critic all of us would hate to have.
After the fall Martha finds herself and her artist husband Kit, under suspicion by the social worker who suspects Finn is a victim of child abuse rather than a simple fall. Only Martha knows the truth.
The characters are well drawn and complex in their emotions. Without giving too much away there is insight to the devastating effects one person’s addiction can have on a whole family. The setting sounds like paradise but with a serpent in it that is discovered in time. It contains interesting titbits about Maori legends which have a part to play in the story.
This is an absorbing tale and I couldn’t stop reading, even though personally I could have done without the language at times. Sadly, that seems to be a feature of many books today.
The plot is well handled. There’s just enough red herrings with Sacha’s absent father and the mystery surrounding him, or the friends Sacha teams up with to try and throw the reader off the track at times and keep you guessing as to what really happened and who if anyone was responsible. Martha’s feelings of helplessness and family loyalty are well portrayed. It would be a hard heart not to be moved by events in the story.
Charity Norman
Allan&Unwin
Paperback
RRP $29.99
Second Chances starts with a news account of the fall of five year old Finn from a first floor balcony of an out of the way property. Finn is flown by rescue helicopter to hospital. As a result he ends up in the intensive care department of the hospital with severe injuries, supposedly the result of an accident while sleepwalking but is it? Or is there more to the story?
The mother plunges the reader into the story as she relates about seeing what happened but being unable to prevent it. But then it reverts back to the events that led Martha to leave her sister and father behind and emigrate from the United Kingdom to New Zealand with her husband Kit, daughter Sacha, and five year old twins Finn and Charlie. Kit is Sacha’s stepfather but father to the twins. The other character who plays an interesting part and inhabits Martha’s head with her negative comments is her dead mother. She is the critic all of us would hate to have.
After the fall Martha finds herself and her artist husband Kit, under suspicion by the social worker who suspects Finn is a victim of child abuse rather than a simple fall. Only Martha knows the truth.
The characters are well drawn and complex in their emotions. Without giving too much away there is insight to the devastating effects one person’s addiction can have on a whole family. The setting sounds like paradise but with a serpent in it that is discovered in time. It contains interesting titbits about Maori legends which have a part to play in the story.
This is an absorbing tale and I couldn’t stop reading, even though personally I could have done without the language at times. Sadly, that seems to be a feature of many books today.
The plot is well handled. There’s just enough red herrings with Sacha’s absent father and the mystery surrounding him, or the friends Sacha teams up with to try and throw the reader off the track at times and keep you guessing as to what really happened and who if anyone was responsible. Martha’s feelings of helplessness and family loyalty are well portrayed. It would be a hard heart not to be moved by events in the story.
December 20, 2021
This is Jodi Picoult done badly.(and I don’t even like Jodi Picoult- what was I thinking?!?) What ever one class this genre (domestic drama lite?) The premise is intriguing, but the plot becomes preposterous by the end. The main characters were either boring, annoying or one-note walk-ons. Really disappointing.
May 15, 2024
Another A+ Charity Norman book, she manages to set the scene and develop the characters so well that I can picture the whole story so vividly, the first book in a while that I’ve been desperate to pick up after work. I did work out a lot of what was going to happen quite early on so that’s the only thing stopping it from being a 5, but still a solid 4.5.
May 20, 2024
Couldn't wait to pick this up every time. Gripping and moving and was nice having a reasonable excuse to cry.
March 18, 2013
When I heard about Charity Norman’s second novel After The Fall I was really looking forward to reading it as it sounded fantastic. I’m a big fan of Jodi Picoult and to see the novel likened to a Jodi Picoult novel, I was thrilled. It’s took me a little while to get around to it – it’s length daunting me a little bit, it’s a massive book! Not that you’ll notice that once you start reading, believe me. It’s a novel I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m pleased to know Charity will have a new novel out in the summer, I’ll definitely be reading it, as After The Fall really impressed me.
When I first started reading After The Fall, I was a bit concerned because it didn’t grip me immediately. I read about 80 pages before going on to do a 4 day nightshift and when it came to picking it back up, I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to. I sort of avoided it a bit. But then I started reading it again, and as we learn more of the McNamara’s lives in New Zeland, and as we get to the bit where we learn just how Finn fell, the more excited I got. It’s definitely the kind of book that grows on you, and once I got reading, I really got reading. So much so that I finished the book in the one sitting after picking it back up, which is always fabulous.
I found the story fascinating. It opens as Finn falls from the balcony, and it flits between Martha at Finn’s bedside in the present, before leaping back and letting us see what it was that made the McNamara’s move to New Zealand, and tells the story up to Finn falling. It’s really clever. The bits with Martha at Finn’s bedside are ridiculously gripping because you’re DESPERATE to know just what happened to Finn. I just wanted to scream at Martha to tell me what had happened! But I also liked reading about the move to New Zealand and how Martha’s daughter Sacha struggled, and how moving to a new country isn’t easy at all (I know, I moved to Tenerife when I was 13). I thought New Zealand sounded fantastic, it sounds like such a beautiful country. I found the struggles the family face very real, and the way the novel segued off with what happens to Sacha was mind-blowing. It was absolutely unexpected and anyone reading the book will think that, and it blew the novel apart.
I really enjoyed After The Fall. Yes, there was a bit of a shaky start, but once the novel hit its stride, and once we saw the family move to New Zealand, I found it really hard to put it down after that. Norman has written a very compelling novel, which highlights something I’d never personally heard about, but which seems like a very rife problem. I had my suspicions about what had happened to Finn, and I felt very bad for blaming who I blamed, when it wasn’t that person at all. The actual culprit was a shocker, a total shocker. It’s the sort of thing you don’t see coming! I very much look forward to Norman’s next novel, she’s an accomplished writer and does very well to set the scene and build the tension. I can see why this is a Richard & Judy pick, it’s a very well-deserved pick.
When I first started reading After The Fall, I was a bit concerned because it didn’t grip me immediately. I read about 80 pages before going on to do a 4 day nightshift and when it came to picking it back up, I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to. I sort of avoided it a bit. But then I started reading it again, and as we learn more of the McNamara’s lives in New Zeland, and as we get to the bit where we learn just how Finn fell, the more excited I got. It’s definitely the kind of book that grows on you, and once I got reading, I really got reading. So much so that I finished the book in the one sitting after picking it back up, which is always fabulous.
I found the story fascinating. It opens as Finn falls from the balcony, and it flits between Martha at Finn’s bedside in the present, before leaping back and letting us see what it was that made the McNamara’s move to New Zealand, and tells the story up to Finn falling. It’s really clever. The bits with Martha at Finn’s bedside are ridiculously gripping because you’re DESPERATE to know just what happened to Finn. I just wanted to scream at Martha to tell me what had happened! But I also liked reading about the move to New Zealand and how Martha’s daughter Sacha struggled, and how moving to a new country isn’t easy at all (I know, I moved to Tenerife when I was 13). I thought New Zealand sounded fantastic, it sounds like such a beautiful country. I found the struggles the family face very real, and the way the novel segued off with what happens to Sacha was mind-blowing. It was absolutely unexpected and anyone reading the book will think that, and it blew the novel apart.
I really enjoyed After The Fall. Yes, there was a bit of a shaky start, but once the novel hit its stride, and once we saw the family move to New Zealand, I found it really hard to put it down after that. Norman has written a very compelling novel, which highlights something I’d never personally heard about, but which seems like a very rife problem. I had my suspicions about what had happened to Finn, and I felt very bad for blaming who I blamed, when it wasn’t that person at all. The actual culprit was a shocker, a total shocker. It’s the sort of thing you don’t see coming! I very much look forward to Norman’s next novel, she’s an accomplished writer and does very well to set the scene and build the tension. I can see why this is a Richard & Judy pick, it’s a very well-deserved pick.
March 15, 2013
With these chilling words starts "After the Fall", a novel about a family and their move to New Zealand. Through a series of flashbacks from Mum, we discover how they came to be in NZ, what has happened to them since they arrived and the true nature of the accident that has befallen Finn.Charity Norman has written a terrific novel about what really could be any family - yours, mine, your next door neighbours. They are normal, happy people, very well drawn and it is easy to move into their world. A pretty stunning comment on some of the social issues that can affect families in these times (I don't want to say too much, as this would have to include spoilers) you are right there with Martha and Kit, as they begin life in a new country, with all the challenges that brings, and as the story unfolds you find yourself rapidly turning the pages to discover how they cope with some very hard issues and choices. It was a book that makes you think...what would YOU do if you found yourself in their situation. It stayed with me long after finishing the last page and I will certainly be reading more from this author. Very very good.
December 19, 2021
What helps this book is the interesting setting. What hurts it are the manipulative plotting, underwritten characters, and wildly unbelievable melodrama. It’s puzzling that this is what readers like.
August 15, 2022
One of the best books I’ve read for quite some time.
Charity Normans writing style is easy to read and I felt invested in all of the relationships within the family. As a mother I felt for Martha and understood her journey. I have to admit I don’t cry easily when reading books but this one got to me on more than one occasion.
My second admission is that this is the first of her books I’ve read - I’m very much looking forward to the others.
Charity Normans writing style is easy to read and I felt invested in all of the relationships within the family. As a mother I felt for Martha and understood her journey. I have to admit I don’t cry easily when reading books but this one got to me on more than one occasion.
My second admission is that this is the first of her books I’ve read - I’m very much looking forward to the others.
May 2, 2022
A thought provoking audiobook; New Zealand is frequently referred to as paradise and in many ways it is but sadly per capita it has the highest drug problem in the OECD. The blended family decide to escape their problems in England with a fresh start and life style change in Napier, NZ. There is always going to be trouble because the 16yr old daughter is not involved in the initial discussions about going across the world and she really does not want to leave her family and friends. I do consider the parent’s would have been better advised to let her stay with her aunt or grandfather both of whom were happy to offer her a home. However they all go and things begin to settle until the daughter’s behaviour radically changes. Why alarm bells did not ring sooner I cannot imagine but I suppose one doesn’t want to acknowledge that your child may be embroiled in the dangerous drug market. After a terrible accident truth has to be faced and the only sensible action taken.
This author usually makes me ponder life choices and possible outcomes, invariably making me think that I would have intervened earlier but who knows?
This author usually makes me ponder life choices and possible outcomes, invariably making me think that I would have intervened earlier but who knows?
January 12, 2013
There are so many things that I would like to express about this book, but it is difficult. I'm writing this review quite some time after finishing it, yet the story and the characters still linger in my mind. I didn't have any expectations for this book - I hadn't read a book by this author before and hadn't read any reviews for her books. I read the blurb and it appealed to me, so I gave it a go. I had no idea that I would enjoy this one so much.
As you may know, I'm a huge Jodi Picoult fan and love the ideas behind her books. As soon as an author is compared to Picoult, I immediately do want to check them out, but I also have a sense of wariness - those are big boots to fill! Thankfully, Norman was one of those authors who certainly lived up to the comparison. The storyline of this book contains so many issues that are explored in a very interesting way. I also didn't find the book predictable - there were a lot of characters and so there could have been so many different outcomes. Though this book is aimed towards adults, I am sure that there will be a lot of young adult book readers will enjoy this one too.
The book mainly revolves around Martha, the mother of Finn, a boy who has been involved in a very serious accident at their home in the middle of the night. Only Martha knows what really happened - neither we nor the other characters in the book know what truly happened to cause the boy such severe injuries. After reading about the consequences of the accident, we learn more about how Finn came to be in that position.
The story moves back and forth in time, following the Martha, Finn and the rest of the McNamara family who have recently decided to move from England to New Zealand. I can't recall reading a book set in New Zealand, or at least not one that introduced me to some of the cultural Maori influences and traditions - I enjoyed discovering more about this culture which I previously didn't know all that much about. I was initially concerned that I would find all of the information a little tedious or overwhelming, but that wasn't the case at all. The story was mostly based around the characters and their emotions, which is what I really enjoyed.
The characters in this book were very complex and very real. I really came to like the characters, though I did feel suspicious of all of them at the beginning as I didn't know what had happened to Finn - like I've said, it is hard to predict what had happened or who to trust. There is such a history behind all of the characters, especially Martha's husband, Kit. Kit was one of those characters that just felt so solid and genuine - he was imperfect and this only added to his authenticity. Finn's twin brother was so sweet and did act like a true child - the bod between him and his brother was certainly something special. Finn's older sister, Sacha, is a feisty, troubled teenager and plays a huge role in this book, being the only member of the family who firmly dislikes her new home in New Zealand. Her emotions were very strong and came through fantasitcally well. The supporting characters were also fantastic, stabilising the story and adding an extra element to it.
Overall, I think that you can probably tell that I loved this book! A book that leaves you thinking about it for weeks afterwards is definitely an effective read. This is a perfect read for any time of the year, especially if you want something that isn't difficult but has a good amount of substance behind it. Perfect for Jodi Picoult fans. I absolutely can't wait to read more of Norman's work!
As you may know, I'm a huge Jodi Picoult fan and love the ideas behind her books. As soon as an author is compared to Picoult, I immediately do want to check them out, but I also have a sense of wariness - those are big boots to fill! Thankfully, Norman was one of those authors who certainly lived up to the comparison. The storyline of this book contains so many issues that are explored in a very interesting way. I also didn't find the book predictable - there were a lot of characters and so there could have been so many different outcomes. Though this book is aimed towards adults, I am sure that there will be a lot of young adult book readers will enjoy this one too.
The book mainly revolves around Martha, the mother of Finn, a boy who has been involved in a very serious accident at their home in the middle of the night. Only Martha knows what really happened - neither we nor the other characters in the book know what truly happened to cause the boy such severe injuries. After reading about the consequences of the accident, we learn more about how Finn came to be in that position.
The story moves back and forth in time, following the Martha, Finn and the rest of the McNamara family who have recently decided to move from England to New Zealand. I can't recall reading a book set in New Zealand, or at least not one that introduced me to some of the cultural Maori influences and traditions - I enjoyed discovering more about this culture which I previously didn't know all that much about. I was initially concerned that I would find all of the information a little tedious or overwhelming, but that wasn't the case at all. The story was mostly based around the characters and their emotions, which is what I really enjoyed.
The characters in this book were very complex and very real. I really came to like the characters, though I did feel suspicious of all of them at the beginning as I didn't know what had happened to Finn - like I've said, it is hard to predict what had happened or who to trust. There is such a history behind all of the characters, especially Martha's husband, Kit. Kit was one of those characters that just felt so solid and genuine - he was imperfect and this only added to his authenticity. Finn's twin brother was so sweet and did act like a true child - the bod between him and his brother was certainly something special. Finn's older sister, Sacha, is a feisty, troubled teenager and plays a huge role in this book, being the only member of the family who firmly dislikes her new home in New Zealand. Her emotions were very strong and came through fantasitcally well. The supporting characters were also fantastic, stabilising the story and adding an extra element to it.
Overall, I think that you can probably tell that I loved this book! A book that leaves you thinking about it for weeks afterwards is definitely an effective read. This is a perfect read for any time of the year, especially if you want something that isn't difficult but has a good amount of substance behind it. Perfect for Jodi Picoult fans. I absolutely can't wait to read more of Norman's work!
January 8, 2013
I was very intrigued by this book. The cover appears innocent, with two little boys running along a beach, enjoying the world around them. But the blurb tells a different story altogether, hinting at secrets, drama, accidents and a rocky road for the family involved, and so I was desperate to start reading.
The book opens with an accident: Martha McNamara sees her five-year old son Finn fall from their balcony. He is rushed to the hospital in a critical condition and the whole thing is a blur. No-one seems to know how it happened, apart from Martha, but she isn’t telling, not just yet.
Martha then takes the reader back to when the family were in England, thinking about moving to New Zealand. Martha’s husband Kit longed to start painting as a career if they emigrated, twins Charlie and Finn wanted an adventure, and sixteen year old Sacha saw it as a nightmare. Through Martha’s memories we travel with her as she recounts their time in England, the move to New Zealand and the highs and the lows that they encountered.
I must say I quite enjoyed this book. I absolutely loved the opening chapter! Finn’s accident captured my attention immediately, and I was keen to find out more: Was he going to be okay? How did it happen? Dis the other family members know yet? Immediately after we were taken back by Martha to when the family were in England. This did take a chapter or so to become engrossed in as my mind was still back in the present with Finn. However, as the story progressed, I did enjoy reading about the background of Martha’s family and the events that ultimately lead up to the present day.
The second half of the book was particularly gripping, as a lot begins to happen and the pace quickens. I found myself staying up late at night to finish chapters and I was glued to the pages wanting to know what was going to happen next. Sometimes I can guess which way a book is going to go, but with After The Fall, I was completely clueless! There was a lot of tension in the book, and many twists and turns where I least expected them, so I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I had no idea which way the story would take me, and that did make the book a more exciting adventure as I never knew what the characters would do next!
Charity Norman has written the characters fantastically. With each character we learn a background story, and it is fascinating to see how their past experiences and backgrounds have affected how they are in the present day. The characters are complex, believable and surprised me throughout. I especially enjoyed reading about Tama and Ira, and their storytelling.
I loved that the book had the setting of New Zealand, the descriptions of the land, the horses and the beaches were wonderful and Charity Norman definitely made me want to visit there someday if only to see the beautiful landscapes.
If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult then this book is for you! Charity Norman has created a story full of surprises, drama, with some good twists thrown into the mix. A compelling read.
The book opens with an accident: Martha McNamara sees her five-year old son Finn fall from their balcony. He is rushed to the hospital in a critical condition and the whole thing is a blur. No-one seems to know how it happened, apart from Martha, but she isn’t telling, not just yet.
Martha then takes the reader back to when the family were in England, thinking about moving to New Zealand. Martha’s husband Kit longed to start painting as a career if they emigrated, twins Charlie and Finn wanted an adventure, and sixteen year old Sacha saw it as a nightmare. Through Martha’s memories we travel with her as she recounts their time in England, the move to New Zealand and the highs and the lows that they encountered.
I must say I quite enjoyed this book. I absolutely loved the opening chapter! Finn’s accident captured my attention immediately, and I was keen to find out more: Was he going to be okay? How did it happen? Dis the other family members know yet? Immediately after we were taken back by Martha to when the family were in England. This did take a chapter or so to become engrossed in as my mind was still back in the present with Finn. However, as the story progressed, I did enjoy reading about the background of Martha’s family and the events that ultimately lead up to the present day.
The second half of the book was particularly gripping, as a lot begins to happen and the pace quickens. I found myself staying up late at night to finish chapters and I was glued to the pages wanting to know what was going to happen next. Sometimes I can guess which way a book is going to go, but with After The Fall, I was completely clueless! There was a lot of tension in the book, and many twists and turns where I least expected them, so I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I had no idea which way the story would take me, and that did make the book a more exciting adventure as I never knew what the characters would do next!
Charity Norman has written the characters fantastically. With each character we learn a background story, and it is fascinating to see how their past experiences and backgrounds have affected how they are in the present day. The characters are complex, believable and surprised me throughout. I especially enjoyed reading about Tama and Ira, and their storytelling.
I loved that the book had the setting of New Zealand, the descriptions of the land, the horses and the beaches were wonderful and Charity Norman definitely made me want to visit there someday if only to see the beautiful landscapes.
If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult then this book is for you! Charity Norman has created a story full of surprises, drama, with some good twists thrown into the mix. A compelling read.
August 18, 2013
I could have given this book anything from two to four stars. In favour of four is that it is a read I could scarcely put down, for only two stars some serious difficulties with the narrator's bad decisions, for which she never takes responsibility. The solution at the end for Sacha was the one I came up with before the family removed to New Zealand in the first place - she could have been spared a lot of anguish.
As an OT Martha is quite hard to believe. She lies consistently about a serious case of child abuse. Of course she wants to protect her family from trouble, but I should think that as a health care professional she would have understood her duty to report egregious abuse. If she had been a slovernly single mum living in a sink estate and the abuser a drugee 'boyfriend' we'd not excuse her covering up for him. Why is this case different just because Martha has an attractive family?
It was also very wrong of Martha not to tell Sacha who her biological father was and I did not respect the author for allowing Martha to duck round the issue. It is surely right that Martha keep his identity confidential till Sacha is mature enough to exercise discretion. But at 16 Sacha is surely ready to know and it is her right. Again, as a caregiver Martha should well understand how important knowing her genetic endowment might be for Sacha someday.
Some readers seem to have liked Sacha's grandfather whom Martha calls 'Dad' - he seemed a sanctimonious old bore to me, with his folksiness and herbal teas. 'We'd both better get some shut-eye. How about an infusion of chamomile to help us sleep?' Sounds like a combination of a Beverly Hillbilly and old Mrs. Rabbit!
Sacha almost achieved the level of tragic hero, especially with her musical ability, which made me wonder why the author intended her for med school rather than the concert hall. I really cared for her.
The descriptions of life and scenery in New Zealand kept the book interesting when the plot bogged down.
To summarise: a read worth the while, but only barely.
As an OT Martha is quite hard to believe. She lies consistently about a serious case of child abuse. Of course she wants to protect her family from trouble, but I should think that as a health care professional she would have understood her duty to report egregious abuse. If she had been a slovernly single mum living in a sink estate and the abuser a drugee 'boyfriend' we'd not excuse her covering up for him. Why is this case different just because Martha has an attractive family?
It was also very wrong of Martha not to tell Sacha who her biological father was and I did not respect the author for allowing Martha to duck round the issue. It is surely right that Martha keep his identity confidential till Sacha is mature enough to exercise discretion. But at 16 Sacha is surely ready to know and it is her right. Again, as a caregiver Martha should well understand how important knowing her genetic endowment might be for Sacha someday.
Some readers seem to have liked Sacha's grandfather whom Martha calls 'Dad' - he seemed a sanctimonious old bore to me, with his folksiness and herbal teas. 'We'd both better get some shut-eye. How about an infusion of chamomile to help us sleep?' Sounds like a combination of a Beverly Hillbilly and old Mrs. Rabbit!
Sacha almost achieved the level of tragic hero, especially with her musical ability, which made me wonder why the author intended her for med school rather than the concert hall. I really cared for her.
The descriptions of life and scenery in New Zealand kept the book interesting when the plot bogged down.
To summarise: a read worth the while, but only barely.
May 21, 2013
Hated it. Read all the reviews saying it was exciting and had lots of unexpected twists in it....nonsense. I was still waiting for the excitement when I was gone 70% in! Dull, predictable, uninspiring.
February 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, it well written with likeable characters and a good storyline
February 27, 2019
This is a compelling and heartbreaking story about a family and the life changing events that occurred. Martha is with her five year old son, Finn, who has "fallen" from a second story balcony and is in a coma from a head injury. The back story leading up to this event is interspersed with the current day. Martha and her family have escaped their now bleak existence in England to New Zealand, away from family and friends. Martha, a physical therapist, adjusts to her new job while her husband, Kit, stops drinking and starts painting again. The twins, Finn and Charlie, settle in beautifully, free to enjoy the beautiful and wild landscape they now call home. Sixteen year old Sacha, however, is far from loving anything about her new home and sorely misses the one she left behind. The characters are fully drawn, quite human in their actions and responses and quite believable. The inclusion of Maori mythology is quite beautiful and adds to the appeal of this story.
September 15, 2022
My mind is blown. I forget books all the time once I’m finished. That’s why a sequel book that comes out a year later never appeals to me.. no matter how much I loved the first in the series. I can barely remember reading it!
BUT THIS!!! I will never forget this!!!!!
As a matter of fact, all Charity Norman books. They are all stand-alone books but if they were a series.. I’d have no issues remembering a previous book.
I never wanted this book to end. Incredible, deep characters. A moving, flawed family. ( Aren’t they all?) A great big shocker, you don’t see coming! The reveal had my incredulous brain reeling!!
I’ve read several Charity Norman books and they are all my favorite books of all times!!!
OH MY GOD!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!!
BUT THIS!!! I will never forget this!!!!!
As a matter of fact, all Charity Norman books. They are all stand-alone books but if they were a series.. I’d have no issues remembering a previous book.
I never wanted this book to end. Incredible, deep characters. A moving, flawed family. ( Aren’t they all?) A great big shocker, you don’t see coming! The reveal had my incredulous brain reeling!!
I’ve read several Charity Norman books and they are all my favorite books of all times!!!
OH MY GOD!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!!
June 11, 2023
Wow! My favourite book so far this year. I love a story that teases you with an end point and slowly reveals more secrets with each chapter. Excellent characters, a stunning setting and I just could not put this book down - or stop talking about it to anyone who would listen!!
January 5, 2022
The mother was so annoying I wanted to throw her off the balcony, but the book was entertaining. 2.5 stars, mostly because the ending felt rushed and wrapped up far too neatly. And then there is just the whole character of Martha that needs to be re-thought out. She was awful.
July 5, 2012
Second Chances is a moving, heartbreaking story of family tragedy. Martha has moved her family from London to New Zealand in a bid to start fresh after her husbands business collapsed. Her four year old twins, Finn and Charlie are delighted with their new home, Kit has stopped drinking and is painting again, only 16 year old Sacha is having trouble settling in. Desperate to believe that she has made the right decision for her family, Martha ignores the signs of her daughters discontent until one tragic night threatens to destroy them all.
Set in and around Hawkes Bay, a small town in New Zealand, where the author herself in fact lives, Second Chances opens as Martha sits anxiously at the bedside of her critically injured son, Finn, who has been rushed to hospital after a fall from the balcony of their home. From there, the novel alternates between the past, building to the events immediately preceding Finn's injuries, and the present, delving into the lives of the McNamara family. Narrated in the first person by Martha, wife to Kit (Christopher), mother to twin boys, Finn and Charlie, and teen daughter Sacha, Second Chances examines a family whose new life in paradise becomes a nightmare. I don't want to inadvertently give too much away, as the suspense in the story relies on the slow unfurling of past and present. It is enough, perhaps, to suggest that Martha is a women keeping many secrets, and those secrets threaten to tear her family apart.
The characters in Second Chances are realistic, flawed yet in ordinary ways and sympathetic as a result. Martha and Kit's relationship has its ups and downs but there is love and commitment at its core. They are both loving parents though Martha tends to be more overprotective, especially where Sacha is concerned. Sacha is Martha's daughter but not Kit's, she has never known her biological father and Martha claims her pregnancy was the result of a one night stand with a man she never saw again. I thought Norman rendered the complex dynamics of the family skillfully and I believed in their reactions and motivations.
Second Chances also explores important social issues such as unemployment, relocation, mental health and substance abuse and the author provides insight into their effects on an ordinary family. The novel challenges the smug mantra often espoused by the middle class 'this couldn't happen to me or mine'.
A compelling story, Second Chances is an emotional and thought provoking read. This is a book that I'd particularly recommend to parents of young adults but I believe it will appeal to any reader who enjoys fiction that examines a family in crisis.
Set in and around Hawkes Bay, a small town in New Zealand, where the author herself in fact lives, Second Chances opens as Martha sits anxiously at the bedside of her critically injured son, Finn, who has been rushed to hospital after a fall from the balcony of their home. From there, the novel alternates between the past, building to the events immediately preceding Finn's injuries, and the present, delving into the lives of the McNamara family. Narrated in the first person by Martha, wife to Kit (Christopher), mother to twin boys, Finn and Charlie, and teen daughter Sacha, Second Chances examines a family whose new life in paradise becomes a nightmare. I don't want to inadvertently give too much away, as the suspense in the story relies on the slow unfurling of past and present. It is enough, perhaps, to suggest that Martha is a women keeping many secrets, and those secrets threaten to tear her family apart.
The characters in Second Chances are realistic, flawed yet in ordinary ways and sympathetic as a result. Martha and Kit's relationship has its ups and downs but there is love and commitment at its core. They are both loving parents though Martha tends to be more overprotective, especially where Sacha is concerned. Sacha is Martha's daughter but not Kit's, she has never known her biological father and Martha claims her pregnancy was the result of a one night stand with a man she never saw again. I thought Norman rendered the complex dynamics of the family skillfully and I believed in their reactions and motivations.
Second Chances also explores important social issues such as unemployment, relocation, mental health and substance abuse and the author provides insight into their effects on an ordinary family. The novel challenges the smug mantra often espoused by the middle class 'this couldn't happen to me or mine'.
A compelling story, Second Chances is an emotional and thought provoking read. This is a book that I'd particularly recommend to parents of young adults but I believe it will appeal to any reader who enjoys fiction that examines a family in crisis.
February 2, 2015
Second Chances is a compelling novel exploring the complexities of family life in the wake of a life-changing relocation and tragic accident. This is the sort of novel I love; it was gripping and thought-provoking, making me question what I would do were I in a similar situation.
The structure of the story was somewhat different to what I expected. The story starts on the night of five-year-old Finn’s traumatic balcony fall before jumping back to the time when the McNamara’s decide to move from England to New Zealand. There are short jumps into the present until the point where both time frames collide and the events on the night of Finn’s accident unfold. It did take me a while to get used to this, but the further I progressed, the more this grew on me.
This structure meant there was a strong build up to the moment of the accident. I had so many questions at the beginning of the book and was anxious to find out what would happen to Finn, so I found it hard to put Second Chances down. I also felt strong connections to the characters, and was intrigued by their various personalities.
Although Second Chances is aimed at adults, I also think there is some crossover appeal for more mature YA readers. The story was complex, charged with emotion and filled with relatable characters. Second Chances was an intriguing and compelling exploration of family life, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult.
This review and many more can be found at The Unfinished Bookshelf.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for providing a copy of the book for review.
The structure of the story was somewhat different to what I expected. The story starts on the night of five-year-old Finn’s traumatic balcony fall before jumping back to the time when the McNamara’s decide to move from England to New Zealand. There are short jumps into the present until the point where both time frames collide and the events on the night of Finn’s accident unfold. It did take me a while to get used to this, but the further I progressed, the more this grew on me.
This structure meant there was a strong build up to the moment of the accident. I had so many questions at the beginning of the book and was anxious to find out what would happen to Finn, so I found it hard to put Second Chances down. I also felt strong connections to the characters, and was intrigued by their various personalities.
Although Second Chances is aimed at adults, I also think there is some crossover appeal for more mature YA readers. The story was complex, charged with emotion and filled with relatable characters. Second Chances was an intriguing and compelling exploration of family life, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult.
This review and many more can be found at The Unfinished Bookshelf.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for providing a copy of the book for review.
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