Review: Falling by Marc Burgio

Author Marc Burgio weaves a tangled tale of desperation, murder, mercy and morality in his debut novel, Falling. A lifetime of missing memories, the sudden return of a long-lost cousin, and a stark confession of murder are the starting points for this wild revelation of a novel.

Multiple plot lines, timelines, and international adventures pepper this unpredictable story – the memoir of Julia, and the nearly unbelievable story that led back to her cousin’s door. Initially, we watch young Julia slog her way through California corner store jobs and retail prisons, wondering when the world will grant her a break after repeatedly kicking her while she’s down. Unexpectedly, violence presents itself as an option for salvation, and while the moral dilemma of taking a life is not easy to navigate, she is determined to survive and thrive.

Stories about scraping by and waiting for one’s big break are common, but rarely does the big break include murder for hire, even if some of the killing is done with the most merciful intentions. After a quarter million dollars drops into Julia’s blood-stained hands, the novel becomes something of a suspenseful travelogue, tracking her unexpectedly maternal fling across London, Paris, and various other capitals of Europe. Eventually, the prologue and the prose meet back up, culminating in a twisted and creative ending to this wild ride.

Aside from the basic plot, which is relatively easy to follow, the author patiently explores many complex facets of human nature – trust and responsibility, substance abuse, guilt, self-reflection, fluid identities, self-esteem, sexual discovery, parental grief, betrayal, and the rediscovery of love. Tragedy seems to follow Julia throughout her life, which can make this a decidedly heavy read, but there are also moments of lightness and joy that carry readers through the darker corners.

Some of the more emotional moments of the novel, such as Amy’s death, can feel rushed or short-changed, whereas seemingly less important sections, such as those detailing extensive European travels or transient friendship exposition, earn more real estate on the page. Additionally, some of the shifting identities can make relationships unclear, not to mention having multiple names for the same character. As a whole, the storytelling is comprehensive and impressive, but the peaks and valleys of emotion and suspense could be more carefully constructed, and some of the logistical details need clarity.

On a technical note, the narration is very declarative and explanatory, so while there is an air of mystery to the story, readers are sometimes handed conclusions unnecessarily. Similarly, internal monologue statements like “I remember thinking…” or “So what now?” are expositional crutches, as are the many self-directed questions in the prose. They help keep readers engaged, but also come across as uncreative when overused. The text is generally edited well, with few obvious errors, although there are many short, choppy sentences and occasional redundancy in the vocabulary used.

These critiques aside, Falling is a riveting novel with a unique storytelling approach, along with an unforgettable cast of flawed and deeply relatable characters.