In And Then She Fell: A Novel, Alicia Elliott explores the complexities of identity, motherhood, and intergenerational trauma through a dreamlike narrative—often occupying the space between the physical and spiritual world. Set in Toronto, Ontario, Alice, a young Indigenous woman grapples with what seems to be postpartum depression, cultural dislocation, and the inheritance of familial grief. As much a reflection on the resilience of Indigenous women as it depicts psychological struggles, And Then She Fell pushes readers to navigate the borderlines of free will and self-awareness.
The novel follows Alice, an Indigenous woman who moves off the reserve with her white husband, Steve, into an affluent neighbourhood after the birth of their daughter, Dawn. Struggling with new motherhood, Alice wrestles with her grief over her mother’s recent death and her own sense of displacement in a predominantly white space. As Alice attempts to rewrite a traditional Indigenous creation story—a task imbued in both cultural significance and personal self-doubt—she descends into paranoia and perhaps even postpartum psychosis. Her feelings of inadequacy spiral into suspicion and fear—exacerbated by Steve’s attempt to learn Mohawk, for both his daughter and to “better position his career” (36).
One of the novel’s most intriguing features is its use of the “unreliable narrator”—albeit with a twist (Booth 158-59). Specifically, Alice’s hallucinations, such as conversations with her friend Tanya that never actually occurred, blur the line between what is real and imagined (228). However, towards the end of the story, Alice becomes the reliable narrator, tying up all the loose ends through her letter to her granddaughter, who she calls “my little Edie” (285-86). Additionally, Elliott’s non-linear timeline adds complexity to the storytelling, as Alice’s memories (of her mother, her childhood, and her present struggles) are displayed out of chronological order. The text’s fragmented structure functions as a mirror for Alice’s mental disarray—reinforcing the book’s exploration of how the past can influence the future. Specifically, the text wrestles with intergenerational trauma. This pain manifests in the way that Alice, her mother, and her granddaughter, use unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as addiction, to navigate their hurt (102, 262, 284).
The novel explores a complex dichotomy: the blending of Indigenous spirituality alongside the effects of psychological struggles. On one hand, Alice’s descent into a state resembling that of psychosis manifests in anxiety, paranoia, and a feeling of being constantly watched or judged by those around her—including her husband Steve and the neighbours (86, 184, 254). On the other hand, through Alice’s episodes, Elliott highlights the power of spiritual and cultural awareness (e.g., the rewriting of an Indigenous creation story, and her exploration of ancestral and familial connections). These elements position the novel within a metaphysical realm, with Alice’s granddaughter’s shadowy influence suggesting that there are forces beyond her control guiding her fate (298-299). As I read this, I couldn’t help but question the extent to which Alice has free will, particularly when spiritual interference, even in the form of her family, dictates key moments in her life.
Overall, And Then She Fell: A Novel, offers a vulnerable and thoughtful exploration of grief, motherhood, identity, and spiritual awareness. The text skillfully underscores the cyclical nature of trauma, spread in the text from Alice’s mother to Alice and seemingly to her granddaughter. The novel suggests that while suffering can be inherited, so too is resilience and wisdom, as each generation wrestles with the wounds and teachings of the past.
Alexis Andrade is a Master’s student in English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Originally from London, Ontario, she enjoys going on hikes through winding forest trails and listening to soft rock. She is passionate about climate advocacy, the preservation of memory through time, and a large cup (or two) of peppermint tea. Her work has been published in the Undergraduate Library and Our Bible App, with more publications forthcoming. In 2024, she began to dip her toes into the world of publishing and she is looking forward to continuing her journey as a writer. View her work at: https://alexisandradewriting.wordpress.com/
