If I Fall, If I Die: A Novel

"A bruiser of a tale . . . a death-defying coming-of-age story," is how Karen Russell describes this heartfelt and wondrous debut about family, fear, and skateboarding. Will, who has never been outside and has only ever known his fiercely loving yet wildly eccentric agoraphobic mother, is finally compelled by his thirst for adventure to venture beyond the confines of their small house. Clad in a protective helmet and unsure of how to talk to other kids, he meets Jonah at his new school, who introduces him to the high-flying freedoms of skateboarding.

Together, they embark on a series of adventures, including searching for a missing local boy, helping a bedraggled vagabond, and evading a dangerous bootlegger. This unexpected journey pulls Will far from his closed-off world and into the throes of early adulthood, exposing him to the risks and uncertainties of everyday life.

In this emotionally resonant and keenly observed novel, Michael Christie captures the poignant dynamics between mothers and sons, as well as the fears and uncertainties that accompany the pursuit of adventure and the lengths we'll go for those we love. With buoyant, kinetic prose, Christie delivers a compelling story of resilience and growth, in a world rich with art, science experiments, and music but confined to the walls of their home.

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