Before I Fall
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.Instead, it turns out to be her last.Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.
Themes & atmosphere
What you might want to know about Before I Fall
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
Popular senior Sam Kingston dies in a car crash on a Friday night and wakes up the same morning. She has to live February twelfth seven times before she understands what the day is asking of her.
Yes. A 2017 film adaptation directed by Ry Russo-Young and starring Zoey Deutch was released. The film follows the novel's Groundhog Day-style premise closely and was generally well received.
Before I Fall touches on bullying, suicide, and underage drinking. The themes are central to the story and are handled with care, but readers sensitive to these topics should approach with awareness.
Before I Fall was written by Lauren Oliver, published in 2010 by Harper.
Before I Fall is 459 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Before I Fall takes most readers 7 to 10 hours to finish.
Before I Fall is a standalone novel by Lauren Oliver, not part of a series.
Before I Fall is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.