If I Fall, If I Die: A Novel

Delving into the realms of family, fear, and skateboarding, this heartfelt and wondrous debut, as described by Karen Russell, is "A bruiser of a tale . . . a death-defying coming-of-age story." Ever since he can remember, Will has never ventured outside. He has lived a secluded life with his fiercely loving yet wildly eccentric agoraphobic mother, who is terrified at the prospect of opening the front door. Their world is rich and full of art, science experiments, and music, all confined within the walls of their small house. However, Will's thirst for adventure cannot be contained. Donning a protective helmet and feeling awkward in social interactions, he finally steps outside. At his new school, he meets Jonah, an artsy loner who introduces Will to the exhilarating world of skateboarding. Together, they embark on a journey to find a missing local boy, assist a bedraggled vagabond, and escape from a dangerous bootlegger. This adventure takes Will far from the confines of his closed-off world and plunges him into the turbulent waters of early adulthood, with all its associated risks. In buoyant, kinetic prose, Michael Christie has crafted an emotionally resonant and keenly observed novel about the intricate dynamics between mothers and sons, fears and uncertainties, and the lengths we are willing to go for the ones we love.

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