“Before the Fall” by Noah Hawley – The Ties that Bind Us

It feels counter-intuitive, but it seems to be commonly-accepted knowledge that air travel is safer than any other method, with the ratio of plane crashes to successful flights being negligibly low.

As a matter of fact, when it the unthinkable does happen, we're often quicker to think of human error or some conspiracy rather than lay the blame on technical malfunctions.

However, that doesn't stop many of us from having the very rational fear of hoisting ourselves in a metal box kilometres above the sky, where a slight problem could spell doom for everyone. Noah Hawley seems to know that quite well, with a desolating plane crash setting the stage for his latest novel, Before the Fall.

The story begins as we are introduced to a group of eleven (ten of them part of the elite, one a regular painter) people departing on a private jet towards New York.

A few minutes into their flight, something goes terribly awry and the plane descends straight into the ocean, leaving no survivors save the painter, Scott Burroughs, and a four-year-old child who is destined to be the last heir to unimaginably wealthy family.

As we get to learn more about the aftermath of the crash and the people that were on board that plane, things start taking a turn for the weird as alarming coincidences point to the possibility of a conspiracy. After all, could it really be a simple mistake or malfunction that led to the end of so many influential people?

First off, Before the Fall feels a bit different from the rest of its peers in terms of story, exploring territory that few other novels venture into. The mystery behind the plane crash is certainly the main driving force behind the novel, always keeping the reader guessing as to its nature.

Hawley adds intrigue upon intrigue, ensuring there is never a dull moment during which we're not wondering about the truth... and whether it will ever even be found.

I will admit that the conclusion to the whole story could have been a tad more spectacular considering the superb build-up, but it nevertheless serves as a satisfying and solid way to resolve the mystery.

The narration itself jumps around a bit, with the author placing his focus both on the aftermath of the crash as well as the people who were on-board. We get to learn about each and every one of them, who they were, how they led their lives, and how they came to be on the plane that day.

While a couple of their stories do feel a bit cliched and boring (such as the rich party boy from Texas), most of them manage to stand as unique and original enough to keep you interested in them.

Ultimately, learning about their rather imperfect life choices and flawed characters does bring you a bit closer to them, but there is always some division between the reader and these characters, with most of us being from the middle or lower class, while they are all part of the great elite. The painter, Scott, really helps by being the only character the majority of us can relate to in some ways.

While it may not seem like it at first, Before the Fall isn't just a mystery story about a plane crash. Hawley made sure to add some additional dimensions to the plot, mainly through Scott's struggle with his new-found fame that is turning into infamy, and the relationship he's been building with the other four-year-old survivor.

The media circus that develops around the plane crash, eventually spiraling into outrage, also gives us something to else to think about. The author touches on some rather interesting topics, including the role of media in determining our perceptions, the struggle of being famous, whether fate is real, and the unseen ties that link us all.

With all things taken into consideration, Before the Fall is original and solid enough to make its mark in the genre, combining a suspenseful and satisfying mystery with a dramatic and thoughtful plot where the human nature is explored. It's an engaging and entertaining read, one fans of mystery thrillers will definitely enjoy.

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Noah Hawley Noah Hawley is an American film producer, screenwriter, composer and author, best-known for his work on the television series Fargo. His best-known works of writing include A Conspiracy of Tall Men, The Punch: A Novel and The Good Father.