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Happiness Falls
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller (2023)“We didn’t call the police right away.” Those are the electric first words of this extraordinary novel about a biracial Korean American family in Virginia whose lives are upended when their beloved father and husband goes missing.
Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter, has an explanation for everything—which is why she isn’t initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don’t return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia’s brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.
What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut, Miracle Creek, Angie Kim turns the missing-person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another.
Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter, has an explanation for everything—which is why she isn’t initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don’t return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia’s brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.
What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut, Miracle Creek, Angie Kim turns the missing-person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another.
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2023
About the author
Angie Kim
3 books11.2k followersAngie Kim moved as a preteen from Seoul, South Korea, to the suburbs of Baltimore. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, she studied philosophy at Stanford University and attended Harvard Law School, where she was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Her debut novel, Miracle Creek, won the Edgar Award, the ITW Thriller Award, the Strand Critics’ Award, and the Pinckley Prize and was named one of the best books of the year by Time, The Washington Post, Kirkus, and the Today show. One of Variety Magazine’s inaugural “10 Storytellers to Watch,” Angie has written for The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Vogue, Glamour, and numerous literary journals. She lives in northern Virginia with her family. Happiness Falls is her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,301 reviews
September 7, 2023
Life isn't geometry; terrible, life-changing moments don't happen predictably, at the bottom of a linear slope.
4 1/2 stars because Happiness Falls isn't perfect. I wanted more from certain threads of the story and the author left them dangling. HOWEVER, I cannot deny that I was completely mesmerised by this story. It took me four days to read only because I kept going off to google things and do outside reading on all the fascinating ideas this book explores.
Like with Miracle Creek, Kim frames her story around a mystery --this time a beloved father has gone missing and his twenty-year-old daughter narrates the search to find him--but to label this book a mystery/thriller is to do it a serious injustice. It is a thoughtful meditation on language, the difference between being verbal (i.e. having words) and having oral fluency, and logical fallacy.
It’s depressing, infuriating, and fascinating all at once—the herculean efforts people will exert to not believe what they’re seeing, to reject anything that doesn’t fit into the narrative they’ve been given about how the world works.
The author expands on something she touched upon in Miracle Creek-- how people equate oral fluency with intelligence and how this impacts those who have disabilities which prevent them from talking orally, as well as those for whom English is not their first language. The narrator's mother shares a story of being a highly intelligent, eloquent woman in Korea who is considered stupid when she first comes to America.
It's honestly hard to review a book that does as much as this one does. Yes, it's a missing person story, but it's also a deeply philosophical work that made me think about so much. In addition to everything the author has to say about the way we treat disability, the assumptions and biases we make on a daily basis, and language, Happiness Falls also contains some extremely interesting commentary on the nature of happiness and if it is possible to quantify it.
We are asked to consider such questions as: is it better to expect the worst and be rewarded if we are right and not disappointed if we are wrong? Could a "7" on the happiness scale for one person be a "4" for someone else? Is happiness always the most important goal? Are some things more important than happiness?
Utterly fascinating.
All the philosophical questions relate back in some way to the missing father at the centre of the story. Kim's writing is so strong and her characters so well-drawn that I very quickly became invested in his fate and that of his family.
Also, the use of past tense to foreshadow what the narrator knows is coming is very effective. Something about "given what happened later that day" gave me goosebumps and made it impossible not to read on.
I'm going to need another Angie Kim book, please.
July 9, 2024
This book is an outstanding work that includes different genres inside a portal with an extra intelligent, thought-provoking style. My expectations were too high after reading the author's previous work, "Miracle Creek," and luckily it exceeded them.
The story is narrated by Mia, a twenty-year-old member of a Korean American family who is a genius, emotionally reserved, skeptical, pessimistic, and straightforward - her father's daughter. Her mother specializes in linguistic studies while their father retires from his job that requires him to travel a lot, to spend more time with his family and provide the required care their 14-year-old son Eugene needs. Eugene suffers from autism and Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that prevents him from speaking. The other member of the family is John, Mia's twin brother, who is mostly optimistic, joyful, good-natured, and a peacemaker, helping them resolve issues by meeting in the middle.
That tightly-knit family's struggling but also embracing life is destroyed when Eugene returns home alone, erratic, terrorized, running directly into his sister. He went to the park near the Potomac River for his daily walking exercise with their dad, but he returns home alone, which is not normally possible because their dad never lets him run in the streets unsupervised.
The entire family starts searching for him, trying to follow the path he took and looking for him in the woods. But it seems like he vanished into thin air. They realize it's time to call the police, but before doing that, the officers knock on their door. They find their father's backpack through their search, and they also listen to a cryptic voicemail message their father got and deleted the day before, which raises the alarm. Did their father commit suicide or did he leave his family and run away? Or what if somebody hurt him, and that person may be related to them?
The slow-burn mystery still keeps you on your toes, and as the author throws out another theory your way, you just start guessing another possibility until your brain hurts.
I have to admit being inside Mia's mind was an exhausting but exhilarating journey. The book is written in short chapters and includes some random thoughts and very interesting and smart footnotes from Mia.
I think I mostly enjoyed reading them because they shed light on several issues, including linguistics, mental health, racism, immigration, adaptation issues, and society's views about people regarding their intelligence. When I saw the length of the book, I thought I might get bored, but luckily, it didn't happen. Actually, I was more intrigued to spend more time inside the quirky, honest, and unique thoughts of Mia, who also tells about the dynamics of the family, which made me love each of the members a little more. They are far from perfect, but it's so obvious to see how they care for each other and how hard they try to understand each other's predicaments.
The book objectively reflects the difficulties of taking care of a teenager who suffers from rare conditions that make him imprisoned in his own head. He cannot articulate his feelings, needing coding to express the situations he deals with. The misery that each family member endures to help him and the pain young Eugene feels not to be treated like a normal teenager, not to form enough words to escape from his inner prison were perfectly described. It's impossible not to feel their pain and sadness, even though they sacrifice so much.
Overall, it's absolutely one of the best books of the year! It shook me to the core! Especially the heart-wrenching, powerful ending made me dab my eyes. I highly recommend you read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Random House Publishing Group/Hogarth for sharing this brilliant book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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The story is narrated by Mia, a twenty-year-old member of a Korean American family who is a genius, emotionally reserved, skeptical, pessimistic, and straightforward - her father's daughter. Her mother specializes in linguistic studies while their father retires from his job that requires him to travel a lot, to spend more time with his family and provide the required care their 14-year-old son Eugene needs. Eugene suffers from autism and Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that prevents him from speaking. The other member of the family is John, Mia's twin brother, who is mostly optimistic, joyful, good-natured, and a peacemaker, helping them resolve issues by meeting in the middle.
That tightly-knit family's struggling but also embracing life is destroyed when Eugene returns home alone, erratic, terrorized, running directly into his sister. He went to the park near the Potomac River for his daily walking exercise with their dad, but he returns home alone, which is not normally possible because their dad never lets him run in the streets unsupervised.
The entire family starts searching for him, trying to follow the path he took and looking for him in the woods. But it seems like he vanished into thin air. They realize it's time to call the police, but before doing that, the officers knock on their door. They find their father's backpack through their search, and they also listen to a cryptic voicemail message their father got and deleted the day before, which raises the alarm. Did their father commit suicide or did he leave his family and run away? Or what if somebody hurt him, and that person may be related to them?
The slow-burn mystery still keeps you on your toes, and as the author throws out another theory your way, you just start guessing another possibility until your brain hurts.
I have to admit being inside Mia's mind was an exhausting but exhilarating journey. The book is written in short chapters and includes some random thoughts and very interesting and smart footnotes from Mia.
I think I mostly enjoyed reading them because they shed light on several issues, including linguistics, mental health, racism, immigration, adaptation issues, and society's views about people regarding their intelligence. When I saw the length of the book, I thought I might get bored, but luckily, it didn't happen. Actually, I was more intrigued to spend more time inside the quirky, honest, and unique thoughts of Mia, who also tells about the dynamics of the family, which made me love each of the members a little more. They are far from perfect, but it's so obvious to see how they care for each other and how hard they try to understand each other's predicaments.
The book objectively reflects the difficulties of taking care of a teenager who suffers from rare conditions that make him imprisoned in his own head. He cannot articulate his feelings, needing coding to express the situations he deals with. The misery that each family member endures to help him and the pain young Eugene feels not to be treated like a normal teenager, not to form enough words to escape from his inner prison were perfectly described. It's impossible not to feel their pain and sadness, even though they sacrifice so much.
Overall, it's absolutely one of the best books of the year! It shook me to the core! Especially the heart-wrenching, powerful ending made me dab my eyes. I highly recommend you read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Random House Publishing Group/Hogarth for sharing this brilliant book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
twitter<
July 18, 2023
I was a huge fan of Miracle Creek, so I was curious what Angie Kim would write for her second book. Happiness Falls tells the story of a family after the father goes missing. As before with Miracle Creek, there is a child with special needs. In this case, autism and Angelman Syndrome (which I had to research). This is also another highly philosophical book, covering a multitude of moral quandaries. It’s all about happiness, communication and trust.
The book is at heart a mystery - what has happened to the father, but it’s also an in depth character study, full of secrets. “This isn’t Dad. How can he be so different from whom I thought he was?” It deals heavily with perception and assumptions.
The book is told in the second person, as Mia looks back on what has transpired. The book is full of phrases, like “looking back” or “did I notice” or “knowing what I know now”. This is a writing style that doesn’t often work for me, but here it did.
Kim’s style might not appeal to some, it’s heavy on science. So, I adore it. I love the feeling that I’m learning something and being made to really think (and not just about what has happened).
Kim also warns the reader ahead of time that this novel includes footnotes and tells the reader they can take or leave them as they choose. Unlike other novels I’ve read lately that include footnotes, these are stream-of- consciousness and not necessarily fact driven. But they were very interesting and I highly recommend reading them.
Make sure to read The Author’s Note to see how Kim’s own life played into the idea for this story.
Like Miracle Creek, this would make for a very interesting book club discussion.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
The book is at heart a mystery - what has happened to the father, but it’s also an in depth character study, full of secrets. “This isn’t Dad. How can he be so different from whom I thought he was?” It deals heavily with perception and assumptions.
The book is told in the second person, as Mia looks back on what has transpired. The book is full of phrases, like “looking back” or “did I notice” or “knowing what I know now”. This is a writing style that doesn’t often work for me, but here it did.
Kim’s style might not appeal to some, it’s heavy on science. So, I adore it. I love the feeling that I’m learning something and being made to really think (and not just about what has happened).
Kim also warns the reader ahead of time that this novel includes footnotes and tells the reader they can take or leave them as they choose. Unlike other novels I’ve read lately that include footnotes, these are stream-of- consciousness and not necessarily fact driven. But they were very interesting and I highly recommend reading them.
Make sure to read The Author’s Note to see how Kim’s own life played into the idea for this story.
Like Miracle Creek, this would make for a very interesting book club discussion.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
August 19, 2023
I have such mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I really liked the story and absolutely appreciated the way Angie Kim brought much-needed insight to a condition that’s so misunderstood. Not only did I learn a lot from the story, it also made me deeply reflect on my own preconceptions and biases and most importantly, it changed my perception on how I approach things that I may not understand. On the other hand, I really really really did NOT like the way the entire story was executed.
The story actually starts off fine — the first couple pages, the first chapter even, drew me in and I was invested. I had read Angie Kim’s debut Miracle Creek (which I loved), so I anticipated there would be some “science-y” stuff in this book as well (which I’m usually not keen on, but if the science stuff is incorporated well and it doesn’t feel overwhelming, I’m fine with it) — seeing how perfectly Kim had integrated science into that book, I was expecting the same here as well. Unfortunately, this would not be the case, as it turns out this book was written very very differently from her previous one. The science stuff in here wasn’t just overwhelming, it was way over the top in my opinion, to the point that it bogged the story down. But that was a minor problem overall — the biggest problem I actually had with this book was the narrative voice.
The entire story is narrated from the first person (sometimes switching to second person) point of view of twenty-year-old Mia Parkson, who is mixed race (half Korean, half white), but she looks more Asian than her fraternal twin John Parkson, whom most people mistake for a white person (I say this because race does play a role in the story). They have a younger brother, Eugene, who has both autism and the genetic condition Angelman syndrome, so he is not able to speak. Their mother Hannah is a linguistics professor and their father Adam is a stay-at-home dad who takes care of the household. The incident that sets the story in motion occurs pretty early on, when Eugene returns home by himself, bloody and disheveled, while his dad Adam, who had taken him for their usual morning walk to the park, didn’t accompany him back. Soon, the police are involved and an investigation is launched to figure out what happened to Adam.
Mia narrates the story and pretty much gives us (the readers) a “play-by-play” of everything that happens, from the moment Eugene returns home and throughout the entire investigation. This normally wouldn’t be a problem — except that, in this case, Mia is an INCREDIBLY annoying character. The book’s summary refers to Mia as “irreverent” and “over analytical” which are both true, but the problem I had is that Mia goes beyond that — she is also cynical, arrogant, self-absorbed, a bit narcissistic, and, like her father notes at one point, has a “sarcastic attitude and general disregard for others’ feelings” (which Mia agrees is a perfect assessment of her but still can’t help hating everyone who describes her as such). For me, the most annoying part about having Mia narrate the story is that she kept “getting in the way” — in addition to repeatedly jumping to conclusions and making assumptions about EVERY SINGLE THING (even though she keeps telling herself that she’s “learned her lesson” and won’t do it again), much of the story consisted of Mia constantly justifying and re-justifying her behavior / thoughts / actions. Whenever anyone would say anything or anything would happen, it would be quickly followed by at least a paragraph (sometimes multiple paragraphs) of Mia’s analyses and assumptions — to the point where it felt like the story would veer off into “Mia’s justification tangents” every other page. For me, this was not just annoying, but also extremely frustrating — after awhile, I actually found myself yelling at Mia to just shut the hell up and stop interrupting the story every 5 seconds to talk about herself.
I honestly wish this story had been told in third person rather than first person, as I felt it would’ve been much more impactful and powerful. From reading the Author’s Note, it sounded like one of the purposes for Kim writing this story in the first place was to call attention to our assumptions and biases as a society, especially toward people with special needs — while some of that did come through in the story (case in point: Eugene’s struggles with communicating led me to read up on Angelman syndrome and the teaching methods described in the book), unfortunately, for me at least, the frustration with Mia’s narration overshadowed majority of the story and made it hard for me to focus much on anything else.
Like I said earlier, I loved Miracle Creek , so I was really looking forward to reading this one (which makes me a little sad that this book didn’t quite work out for me). One thing I’ve figured out about my reading habits lately (this year especially) is that I’m very much a “character-driven” reader — meaning that the voice in which a story is told is more important to me than I realize and can have a huge impact on my reading experience. I say this because I’ve read quite a few books this past year where the story was told from the first person perspective of an “unlikable to the point of annoying” character and each time, I ended up getting so frustrated with the character that it essentially turned me off to the rest of the story (even in the cases where the writing was brilliant and everything else about the story was awesome). It makes me realize that, for me as a reader, these types of annoying characters are only tolerable if I’m able to read about them with a layer of remove — when I’m forced to listen to them go on and on (and on and on and on) about their own flaws (especially when the character is unapologetic about those flaws and there are little to no redeeming qualities), it negatively impacts my reading experience.
With all that said, if I were to look past the narration issues, there was actually a lot to like about the story (which is one reason why I struggled so much with rating this). I loved the character of Eugene and felt the mystery aspect was well done…also, there were some really important societal issues that were explored in here that were thought-provoking and necessary — I’m pretty sure if this had been told in a different narrative voice, I would’ve really taken to the story overall, as it’s the type of story that’s usually right up my alley. Of course, this is just me — there are a lot of readers who loved this one, so it’s probably best to check out those reviews as well before deciding whether to pick this one up.
Received ARC from Hogarth via NetGalley.
The story actually starts off fine — the first couple pages, the first chapter even, drew me in and I was invested. I had read Angie Kim’s debut Miracle Creek (which I loved), so I anticipated there would be some “science-y” stuff in this book as well (which I’m usually not keen on, but if the science stuff is incorporated well and it doesn’t feel overwhelming, I’m fine with it) — seeing how perfectly Kim had integrated science into that book, I was expecting the same here as well. Unfortunately, this would not be the case, as it turns out this book was written very very differently from her previous one. The science stuff in here wasn’t just overwhelming, it was way over the top in my opinion, to the point that it bogged the story down. But that was a minor problem overall — the biggest problem I actually had with this book was the narrative voice.
The entire story is narrated from the first person (sometimes switching to second person) point of view of twenty-year-old Mia Parkson, who is mixed race (half Korean, half white), but she looks more Asian than her fraternal twin John Parkson, whom most people mistake for a white person (I say this because race does play a role in the story). They have a younger brother, Eugene, who has both autism and the genetic condition Angelman syndrome, so he is not able to speak. Their mother Hannah is a linguistics professor and their father Adam is a stay-at-home dad who takes care of the household. The incident that sets the story in motion occurs pretty early on, when Eugene returns home by himself, bloody and disheveled, while his dad Adam, who had taken him for their usual morning walk to the park, didn’t accompany him back. Soon, the police are involved and an investigation is launched to figure out what happened to Adam.
Mia narrates the story and pretty much gives us (the readers) a “play-by-play” of everything that happens, from the moment Eugene returns home and throughout the entire investigation. This normally wouldn’t be a problem — except that, in this case, Mia is an INCREDIBLY annoying character. The book’s summary refers to Mia as “irreverent” and “over analytical” which are both true, but the problem I had is that Mia goes beyond that — she is also cynical, arrogant, self-absorbed, a bit narcissistic, and, like her father notes at one point, has a “sarcastic attitude and general disregard for others’ feelings” (which Mia agrees is a perfect assessment of her but still can’t help hating everyone who describes her as such). For me, the most annoying part about having Mia narrate the story is that she kept “getting in the way” — in addition to repeatedly jumping to conclusions and making assumptions about EVERY SINGLE THING (even though she keeps telling herself that she’s “learned her lesson” and won’t do it again), much of the story consisted of Mia constantly justifying and re-justifying her behavior / thoughts / actions. Whenever anyone would say anything or anything would happen, it would be quickly followed by at least a paragraph (sometimes multiple paragraphs) of Mia’s analyses and assumptions — to the point where it felt like the story would veer off into “Mia’s justification tangents” every other page. For me, this was not just annoying, but also extremely frustrating — after awhile, I actually found myself yelling at Mia to just shut the hell up and stop interrupting the story every 5 seconds to talk about herself.
I honestly wish this story had been told in third person rather than first person, as I felt it would’ve been much more impactful and powerful. From reading the Author’s Note, it sounded like one of the purposes for Kim writing this story in the first place was to call attention to our assumptions and biases as a society, especially toward people with special needs — while some of that did come through in the story (case in point: Eugene’s struggles with communicating led me to read up on Angelman syndrome and the teaching methods described in the book), unfortunately, for me at least, the frustration with Mia’s narration overshadowed majority of the story and made it hard for me to focus much on anything else.
Like I said earlier, I loved Miracle Creek , so I was really looking forward to reading this one (which makes me a little sad that this book didn’t quite work out for me). One thing I’ve figured out about my reading habits lately (this year especially) is that I’m very much a “character-driven” reader — meaning that the voice in which a story is told is more important to me than I realize and can have a huge impact on my reading experience. I say this because I’ve read quite a few books this past year where the story was told from the first person perspective of an “unlikable to the point of annoying” character and each time, I ended up getting so frustrated with the character that it essentially turned me off to the rest of the story (even in the cases where the writing was brilliant and everything else about the story was awesome). It makes me realize that, for me as a reader, these types of annoying characters are only tolerable if I’m able to read about them with a layer of remove — when I’m forced to listen to them go on and on (and on and on and on) about their own flaws (especially when the character is unapologetic about those flaws and there are little to no redeeming qualities), it negatively impacts my reading experience.
With all that said, if I were to look past the narration issues, there was actually a lot to like about the story (which is one reason why I struggled so much with rating this). I loved the character of Eugene and felt the mystery aspect was well done…also, there were some really important societal issues that were explored in here that were thought-provoking and necessary — I’m pretty sure if this had been told in a different narrative voice, I would’ve really taken to the story overall, as it’s the type of story that’s usually right up my alley. Of course, this is just me — there are a lot of readers who loved this one, so it’s probably best to check out those reviews as well before deciding whether to pick this one up.
Received ARC from Hogarth via NetGalley.
April 14, 2023
ive been anxiously waiting for another book from AK since i turned the last page of ‘miracle creek.’
this is an extremely well-written sophomore novel. while being a mystery/drama, i was impressed with the level of research that must have gone into accurately portraying the science and language, therapy, and disability representation in this story. but it also does a good job at exploring more personal topics that elicit emotion, such as family bonds, cultivating an identity, and societal views. and this kind of multi-faceted narrative is something AK excels at.
the only reason im not rating this higher is the slow placing. there were times when i had to put the book down and come back to it because it just wasnt moving as fast as i needed it to to hold my attention.
but other than that, this is a very strong addition to AKs bibliography. cant wait to see what she comes up with next!
thank you, random house/hogarth, for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
this is an extremely well-written sophomore novel. while being a mystery/drama, i was impressed with the level of research that must have gone into accurately portraying the science and language, therapy, and disability representation in this story. but it also does a good job at exploring more personal topics that elicit emotion, such as family bonds, cultivating an identity, and societal views. and this kind of multi-faceted narrative is something AK excels at.
the only reason im not rating this higher is the slow placing. there were times when i had to put the book down and come back to it because it just wasnt moving as fast as i needed it to to hold my attention.
but other than that, this is a very strong addition to AKs bibliography. cant wait to see what she comes up with next!
thank you, random house/hogarth, for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
September 8, 2023
4.5⭐️
On the surface, Happiness Falls by Angie Kim revolves around the disappearance of a fifty-five-year-old man and the events that follow as both his family and local law enforcement try to locate him and piece together the events that led to his disappearance and the impact these efforts have on his immediate family. Adam disappeared while on a walk to a local park with his fourteen-year-old son, Eugene, the only witness to what transpired. Eugene is autistic and nonverbal, having been diagnosed with mosaic Angelman syndrome (AS). His family is protective of him and initially hides the fact that he was found running on the road in a disheveled, agitated state with bloodstains on his clothes from the police.
The events are narrated from the perspective of Adam’s twenty-year-old daughter, Mia. The narrative follows Mia, her twin John, and their mother Hannah over the weeks following Adam’s disappearance as they search for him and take care of Eugene. Mia is intense and does not mince her words when talking about her Korean-American family. She shares significant episodes from her childhood, her dynamic with different members of her family, her feelings about her father’s disappearance, and the facts that are subsequently unearthed in much detail. From Adam’s notes, found in his belongings, Mia finds his research on quantifying happiness, the “Happiness Quotient," and his analysis on the same, drawing on events from their lives. It is also evident that Adam had been keeping secrets, some of which Eugene might know about. The narrative follows Adam’s family as they try to decode what Eugene might know, not fully able to comprehend Eugene’s frustrations with his family’s assumptions about his ability to express his thoughts and feelings. Her father’s notes prompt Mia to take stock of her own life, her family dynamic, and how she relates to Eugene both as a sibling and as a human being.
Part family drama, part literary mystery Happiness Falls by Angie Kim is an exceptionally well-written work of fiction. The author excels at portraying complex characters, emotions and sensitive family dynamics. The meticulous research that the author devoted to characterizing Eugene shines through. The depiction of a teenager who is neurodivergent and his dynamic with each member of his family is both profoundly moving and thought-provoking. The novel explores themes of family, trauma and healing, the importance of giving each other space and respect within the family unit, human connection, communication and kindness, bias and inclusivity, among others. The pacing of this novel is on the slower side, and the writing is detailed and descriptive. You need to approach this novel with more than a bit of patience, but overall, I found this to be an immensely satisfying read.
The brilliantly penned Author’s Note truly enriches the overall reading experience. While I did enjoy the deep dive into behavioral psychology and philosophy complete with researched facts, analysis and Adam’s proposed hypotheses, I felt that it did become a bit too heavy for a work of fiction.
This was my first time reading this author, and I look forward to exploring more of her work.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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On the surface, Happiness Falls by Angie Kim revolves around the disappearance of a fifty-five-year-old man and the events that follow as both his family and local law enforcement try to locate him and piece together the events that led to his disappearance and the impact these efforts have on his immediate family. Adam disappeared while on a walk to a local park with his fourteen-year-old son, Eugene, the only witness to what transpired. Eugene is autistic and nonverbal, having been diagnosed with mosaic Angelman syndrome (AS). His family is protective of him and initially hides the fact that he was found running on the road in a disheveled, agitated state with bloodstains on his clothes from the police.
The events are narrated from the perspective of Adam’s twenty-year-old daughter, Mia. The narrative follows Mia, her twin John, and their mother Hannah over the weeks following Adam’s disappearance as they search for him and take care of Eugene. Mia is intense and does not mince her words when talking about her Korean-American family. She shares significant episodes from her childhood, her dynamic with different members of her family, her feelings about her father’s disappearance, and the facts that are subsequently unearthed in much detail. From Adam’s notes, found in his belongings, Mia finds his research on quantifying happiness, the “Happiness Quotient," and his analysis on the same, drawing on events from their lives. It is also evident that Adam had been keeping secrets, some of which Eugene might know about. The narrative follows Adam’s family as they try to decode what Eugene might know, not fully able to comprehend Eugene’s frustrations with his family’s assumptions about his ability to express his thoughts and feelings. Her father’s notes prompt Mia to take stock of her own life, her family dynamic, and how she relates to Eugene both as a sibling and as a human being.
Part family drama, part literary mystery Happiness Falls by Angie Kim is an exceptionally well-written work of fiction. The author excels at portraying complex characters, emotions and sensitive family dynamics. The meticulous research that the author devoted to characterizing Eugene shines through. The depiction of a teenager who is neurodivergent and his dynamic with each member of his family is both profoundly moving and thought-provoking. The novel explores themes of family, trauma and healing, the importance of giving each other space and respect within the family unit, human connection, communication and kindness, bias and inclusivity, among others. The pacing of this novel is on the slower side, and the writing is detailed and descriptive. You need to approach this novel with more than a bit of patience, but overall, I found this to be an immensely satisfying read.
The brilliantly penned Author’s Note truly enriches the overall reading experience. While I did enjoy the deep dive into behavioral psychology and philosophy complete with researched facts, analysis and Adam’s proposed hypotheses, I felt that it did become a bit too heavy for a work of fiction.
This was my first time reading this author, and I look forward to exploring more of her work.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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June 29, 2023
WHAT HAPPENED TO ADAM PARSON?
Is he alive or dead?!
It started out as an ordinary morning.
Adam and his Special Needs son, Eugene, had breakfast and then left for a walk in a nearby park. But, only Eugene returns, running home frantically in a way he has never run before, with blood under his fingernails. He pushes past his sister Mia-knocking her to the ground as he runs by her.
Mia, doesn’t call the Police right away. There must be a logical answer for this behavior and for her brother returning home alone, but since her brother is non-verbal and cannot explain what happened-she will wait for her father to return and enlighten her.
He would never leave his son to fend for himself. as the combined diagnosis of Autism and Angelman Syndrome would prevent Eugene from being able to ask for help.
But when the Police come to the door with more questions than answers, and Adam’s disappearance stretches late into the night, Mia, along with her twin brother, John and their Mother must join forces to protect Eugene, and figure out what happened at the Park. The only witness, the agitated youngest child of their tight knit family, is unable to provide the answers they seek.
Complicating matters, the Covid Pandemic and quarantine.
Narrated in the first person POV of Mia, there is a lot of foreshadowing, and introspection.
Like with her debut, Miracle Creek, the brilliant Angie Kim has done meticulous research to enlighten us on Autism and Angelman Syndrome. The story is fiction but based on real life experiences and the family dynamics felt authentic.
But, be prepared!!
It is HEAVY on SCIENCE and PHILOSOPHY and it also discusses how people quantify HAPPINESS using different experiments and examples.
I don’t mind a SLOW BURN, but at 25% I was looking up how many pages were left, because I couldn’t believe I had only gotten that far. It took me twice as long to read this as other books because it is so complex and I didn’t want to miss anything that could be important.
I WAS intrigued enough to want to learn the truth BUT, admittedly, I WAS ALSO frustrated by how long it was taking me to get there!!
Because this book isn’t a light read, it probably won’t be for everyone.
However, it is an impressive work of literature, and I have come away enlightened, so despite the slower pace, I feel compelled to give it 4 stars.
AVAILABLE on August 29th, 2023
Review for Miracle Creek: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Thank You to Random House for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
Is he alive or dead?!
It started out as an ordinary morning.
Adam and his Special Needs son, Eugene, had breakfast and then left for a walk in a nearby park. But, only Eugene returns, running home frantically in a way he has never run before, with blood under his fingernails. He pushes past his sister Mia-knocking her to the ground as he runs by her.
Mia, doesn’t call the Police right away. There must be a logical answer for this behavior and for her brother returning home alone, but since her brother is non-verbal and cannot explain what happened-she will wait for her father to return and enlighten her.
He would never leave his son to fend for himself. as the combined diagnosis of Autism and Angelman Syndrome would prevent Eugene from being able to ask for help.
But when the Police come to the door with more questions than answers, and Adam’s disappearance stretches late into the night, Mia, along with her twin brother, John and their Mother must join forces to protect Eugene, and figure out what happened at the Park. The only witness, the agitated youngest child of their tight knit family, is unable to provide the answers they seek.
Complicating matters, the Covid Pandemic and quarantine.
Narrated in the first person POV of Mia, there is a lot of foreshadowing, and introspection.
Like with her debut, Miracle Creek, the brilliant Angie Kim has done meticulous research to enlighten us on Autism and Angelman Syndrome. The story is fiction but based on real life experiences and the family dynamics felt authentic.
But, be prepared!!
It is HEAVY on SCIENCE and PHILOSOPHY and it also discusses how people quantify HAPPINESS using different experiments and examples.
I don’t mind a SLOW BURN, but at 25% I was looking up how many pages were left, because I couldn’t believe I had only gotten that far. It took me twice as long to read this as other books because it is so complex and I didn’t want to miss anything that could be important.
I WAS intrigued enough to want to learn the truth BUT, admittedly, I WAS ALSO frustrated by how long it was taking me to get there!!
Because this book isn’t a light read, it probably won’t be for everyone.
However, it is an impressive work of literature, and I have come away enlightened, so despite the slower pace, I feel compelled to give it 4 stars.
AVAILABLE on August 29th, 2023
Review for Miracle Creek: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Thank You to Random House for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
Read
October 11, 2023Mia isn't worried at first when her father and brother Eugene are late returning from a walk in a local park. But when Eugene comes running into the house, bloody and without their father, it's clear something is not right. While Eugene is the only person who can tell them what happened, he has a rare genetic condition and cannot speak. A story full of twists as well as philosophical ponderings, it will keep you on your toes.
June 22, 2023
2.5★
This was a tedious reading experience, I not once was compelled to pick this back up, and I felt confused for a huge chunk of the the first half wondering if this really was the same author who wrote Miracle Creek?
And even now as I write this I am wondering if this was all just a “Me” problem because there were two really strong aspects to the story but the experience itself was tedious indeed. Let me try to explain.
I loved Kim’s debut novel, a multiple point of view, layered, court room mystery/whodunnit, so when I began this mystery surrounding a missing father, I struggled with the the singular, young twenty something adult narrator and that is how it read, very young. From here it began to feel like a college essay, a lot of explaining and reiterating of facts, internal problem solving and so on, and let me tell you, I hated it. I considered DNFing but then some new questions would arise offering enough intrigue and I’d stay semi-committed.
As the book goes on the mystery surrounding the father becomes complex, and much of it seems to surround the autistic son/brother, this is where Kim shines, the extensive research surrounding severe nonverbal autism and giving a voice and representation to these people was excellent, I learned a lot and have a new found respect for anyone who is going through this with a friend or family member.
And while I loved and appreciated this, I still couldn’t ignore the very YA tone, bouts of information dumping, and convoluted and meandering story line, the second half did improve just not enough to save it for me.
I am the minority in my experience so please take with a grain of salt, I’m sad and disappointed but Miracle Creek remains a favourite and I’ll be happy to read Angie Kim again.
This was a tedious reading experience, I not once was compelled to pick this back up, and I felt confused for a huge chunk of the the first half wondering if this really was the same author who wrote Miracle Creek?
And even now as I write this I am wondering if this was all just a “Me” problem because there were two really strong aspects to the story but the experience itself was tedious indeed. Let me try to explain.
I loved Kim’s debut novel, a multiple point of view, layered, court room mystery/whodunnit, so when I began this mystery surrounding a missing father, I struggled with the the singular, young twenty something adult narrator and that is how it read, very young. From here it began to feel like a college essay, a lot of explaining and reiterating of facts, internal problem solving and so on, and let me tell you, I hated it. I considered DNFing but then some new questions would arise offering enough intrigue and I’d stay semi-committed.
As the book goes on the mystery surrounding the father becomes complex, and much of it seems to surround the autistic son/brother, this is where Kim shines, the extensive research surrounding severe nonverbal autism and giving a voice and representation to these people was excellent, I learned a lot and have a new found respect for anyone who is going through this with a friend or family member.
And while I loved and appreciated this, I still couldn’t ignore the very YA tone, bouts of information dumping, and convoluted and meandering story line, the second half did improve just not enough to save it for me.
I am the minority in my experience so please take with a grain of salt, I’m sad and disappointed but Miracle Creek remains a favourite and I’ll be happy to read Angie Kim again.
August 3, 2023
BOTM selection for August 2023!
Angie Kim is such a talented author; not only is she able to write captivating stories with a tinge of mystery, but she seamlessly weaves complex emotions and timely, thought provoking subjects into the narrative that stick with the reader long after they finish the book. The choice to tell this story through Mia’s POV was likely not an easy one, but the right one. Even as the parent of an Autistic child, I felt I experienced this form of neurodiversity in a way that is different from our every day life, while also learning a bit about Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. I really appreciated the optional footnotes included throughout, and also Angie’s note on some of the inspiration behind how this novel came to be. If you’re looking for a substantial, emotional family drama, please do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Angie Kim is such a talented author; not only is she able to write captivating stories with a tinge of mystery, but she seamlessly weaves complex emotions and timely, thought provoking subjects into the narrative that stick with the reader long after they finish the book. The choice to tell this story through Mia’s POV was likely not an easy one, but the right one. Even as the parent of an Autistic child, I felt I experienced this form of neurodiversity in a way that is different from our every day life, while also learning a bit about Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. I really appreciated the optional footnotes included throughout, and also Angie’s note on some of the inspiration behind how this novel came to be. If you’re looking for a substantial, emotional family drama, please do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
December 14, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House-Hogarth, and Angie Kim for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 8.29!!**
What if finding TRUE, lasting happiness was as simple as following an equation?
Mia's father Adam has always inspired her to think outside the box...and never stop questioning. Growing up alongside twin brother John, the pair have also always helped care for their teenage brother, Eugene. Eugene has Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes delayed development and trouble with speech, as well as a happy, 'excited' personality (even at inopportune moments.) It's just Another Day in Paradise until Adam and Eugene don't return home from their walk on time...and the walk was near a waterfall.
Mia explains the delay away at first, seeing no need to call the authorities. But when Eugene runs in the house with blood on him, Mia comes face to face with reality, and realizes the one and ONLY person who could tell her EXACTLY what happened...can't tell her a thing. As the missing persons investigation kicks into high gear, Mia and her family are desperate to prove Eugene's innocence...AND to find out exactly what happened to their beloved Adam. But when Mia stumbles on some interesting research Adam conducted about discovering a formula for a Happiness Quotient, her analytical, inquisitive mind goes into overdrive. Could this disappearance have been PLANNED? And if it was, where did Adam go...and WHY?
I've been (im)patiently waiting for a new Angie Kim novel ever since finishing her debut, Miracle Creek, and I loved the legal drama with a mystery neatly woven through its pages. And in many ways, Happiness Falls follows a similar formula: there is a mystery at the core of the narrative driving the action, but the book itself is about SO much more than a simple whodunit. There is a mystery that will keep you guessing (and gave me ONE jaw dropping moment!), the push and pull of emotionally fraught relationships, and most importantly, a HEAVY dose of philosophical exploration of what it means to be happy, how to identify it in others, and a fascinating discussion on internal processing vs. external expression.
Kim is one smart cookie: having graduated from Harvard Law (among her many accolades) and both of her novels emphasize her intelligence, her curiosity, and her zest for exploring the many layers of the mind and heart. In many ways, MC Mia is probably somewhat reminiscent of Kim herself, and as a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed the mental gymnastics required to keep up with Adam's research and Mia's exploration of his findings.
But with that being said....reading this book is WORK.
Rewarding work...but work all the same.
This is not the sort of beach read you'll thumb through lazily, or the so-many-twists your head will spin thriller that will keep your pulse pounding and pages quickly flipping. This book is thoroughly introspective, expertly researched, and carefully crafted...with footnotes to boot. If you're a bit of an impatient reader, don't enjoy linguistics or philosophical discussions, or don't have the time to truly devote to this book...I would advise giving it a pass.
As much as I enjoyed the whole experience, I often felt like I HAD to keep putting this one down and coming back to it. This is the sort of read that I feel would perhaps be even more effective as a TV show, where you could choose to watch an episode or two and then come back when you're ready for more. Perhaps it's the level of discussion, the vocabulary, the mystery's slow reveal...or some combination of the three. Kim also includes an impactful, must-read author's note that explains the inspiration for the entire book, and that alone is worth the price of admission: even if you're beat by the time you get to the finish line, DO NOT pass it by!
Philosophers have pondered for centuries where happiness comes from and how we can hold onto it, and yet...there has never been one definitive answer. And although I can't spoil whether or not Adam in fact DID discover the Happiness Quotient, I CAN say I found a definitive answer to one question: will Angie Kim's next book move to the top of my reading list?
(Well...maybe that was more of a foregone conclusion! 😉)
4 stars
Nominated for Best Mystery/Thriller in the Goodreads Choice Awards!
What if finding TRUE, lasting happiness was as simple as following an equation?
Mia's father Adam has always inspired her to think outside the box...and never stop questioning. Growing up alongside twin brother John, the pair have also always helped care for their teenage brother, Eugene. Eugene has Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes delayed development and trouble with speech, as well as a happy, 'excited' personality (even at inopportune moments.) It's just Another Day in Paradise until Adam and Eugene don't return home from their walk on time...and the walk was near a waterfall.
Mia explains the delay away at first, seeing no need to call the authorities. But when Eugene runs in the house with blood on him, Mia comes face to face with reality, and realizes the one and ONLY person who could tell her EXACTLY what happened...can't tell her a thing. As the missing persons investigation kicks into high gear, Mia and her family are desperate to prove Eugene's innocence...AND to find out exactly what happened to their beloved Adam. But when Mia stumbles on some interesting research Adam conducted about discovering a formula for a Happiness Quotient, her analytical, inquisitive mind goes into overdrive. Could this disappearance have been PLANNED? And if it was, where did Adam go...and WHY?
I've been (im)patiently waiting for a new Angie Kim novel ever since finishing her debut, Miracle Creek, and I loved the legal drama with a mystery neatly woven through its pages. And in many ways, Happiness Falls follows a similar formula: there is a mystery at the core of the narrative driving the action, but the book itself is about SO much more than a simple whodunit. There is a mystery that will keep you guessing (and gave me ONE jaw dropping moment!), the push and pull of emotionally fraught relationships, and most importantly, a HEAVY dose of philosophical exploration of what it means to be happy, how to identify it in others, and a fascinating discussion on internal processing vs. external expression.
Kim is one smart cookie: having graduated from Harvard Law (among her many accolades) and both of her novels emphasize her intelligence, her curiosity, and her zest for exploring the many layers of the mind and heart. In many ways, MC Mia is probably somewhat reminiscent of Kim herself, and as a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed the mental gymnastics required to keep up with Adam's research and Mia's exploration of his findings.
But with that being said....reading this book is WORK.
Rewarding work...but work all the same.
This is not the sort of beach read you'll thumb through lazily, or the so-many-twists your head will spin thriller that will keep your pulse pounding and pages quickly flipping. This book is thoroughly introspective, expertly researched, and carefully crafted...with footnotes to boot. If you're a bit of an impatient reader, don't enjoy linguistics or philosophical discussions, or don't have the time to truly devote to this book...I would advise giving it a pass.
As much as I enjoyed the whole experience, I often felt like I HAD to keep putting this one down and coming back to it. This is the sort of read that I feel would perhaps be even more effective as a TV show, where you could choose to watch an episode or two and then come back when you're ready for more. Perhaps it's the level of discussion, the vocabulary, the mystery's slow reveal...or some combination of the three. Kim also includes an impactful, must-read author's note that explains the inspiration for the entire book, and that alone is worth the price of admission: even if you're beat by the time you get to the finish line, DO NOT pass it by!
Philosophers have pondered for centuries where happiness comes from and how we can hold onto it, and yet...there has never been one definitive answer. And although I can't spoil whether or not Adam in fact DID discover the Happiness Quotient, I CAN say I found a definitive answer to one question: will Angie Kim's next book move to the top of my reading list?
(Well...maybe that was more of a foregone conclusion! 😉)
4 stars
Nominated for Best Mystery/Thriller in the Goodreads Choice Awards!
September 30, 2023
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim is a Blend of Family Fiction and Mystery-Suspense!
"Things are not always what they seem..." ~ Phaedrus, PLATO
Adam Parson and his fourteen-year-old son, Eugene go for a planned walk to a local park along the Potomac River. Eugene eventually makes it home. His father does not.
Eugene has Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that prevents him from speaking. He doesn't run either, yet his twenty-year-old sister, Mia witnesses him running, then shoves her aside as he continues to run past her and into their house.
Where is Adam and why is there blood on Eugene's clothing? Eugene is the only one with the answers to the many questions that arise. Unfortunately, he can't speak...
Happiness Falls is so much more than a family's search for their missing husband/father. Angie Kim takes a microscopic look at the dynamics of this Korean-American family, examining all of its pieces and parts.
Happiness Falls is a compelling read with the same beautiful writing style, sensitive subject matter, well-developed characters, and immersive backstory found in her debut novel, Miracle Creek. This author does Family Fiction mixed with Mystery-Suspense so well; the research, the trickle of twists, and 'the dangling carrots' that keep the reader hungry for more. And the drama, there's that, too.
Happiness Falls is definitely a slower read with the many footnotes and side-notes from Mia's first-person narration leading us through the story. Although tempted, I didn't skip any for fear of missing key points. On reflection, reading all of them wasn't necessary and great editing would have helped trim-the-fat here and elsewhere, so to speak.
Mia's narration felt pleasantly 'cockeyed' as she tended to be a bit of a wanderlust. I wanted her to get back on-point and I eventually craved an alternate point-of-view with less intensity, one that didn't leave me feeling so dang exhausted. Perhaps Mia's twin brother, John would have given some 'happy' relief here.
Despite the last two paragraphs, and here I go again talking out of both sides of my face, I'm glad I read this book for the great storytelling, interesting characters, and details that made me smarter and more aware. I'm glad my book-lessons are over for now, I look forward to this author's next novel, and I definitely recommend Happiness Falls!
3.75⭐rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group/Hogarth, and Angie Kim for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
"Things are not always what they seem..." ~ Phaedrus, PLATO
Adam Parson and his fourteen-year-old son, Eugene go for a planned walk to a local park along the Potomac River. Eugene eventually makes it home. His father does not.
Eugene has Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that prevents him from speaking. He doesn't run either, yet his twenty-year-old sister, Mia witnesses him running, then shoves her aside as he continues to run past her and into their house.
Where is Adam and why is there blood on Eugene's clothing? Eugene is the only one with the answers to the many questions that arise. Unfortunately, he can't speak...
Happiness Falls is so much more than a family's search for their missing husband/father. Angie Kim takes a microscopic look at the dynamics of this Korean-American family, examining all of its pieces and parts.
Happiness Falls is a compelling read with the same beautiful writing style, sensitive subject matter, well-developed characters, and immersive backstory found in her debut novel, Miracle Creek. This author does Family Fiction mixed with Mystery-Suspense so well; the research, the trickle of twists, and 'the dangling carrots' that keep the reader hungry for more. And the drama, there's that, too.
Happiness Falls is definitely a slower read with the many footnotes and side-notes from Mia's first-person narration leading us through the story. Although tempted, I didn't skip any for fear of missing key points. On reflection, reading all of them wasn't necessary and great editing would have helped trim-the-fat here and elsewhere, so to speak.
Mia's narration felt pleasantly 'cockeyed' as she tended to be a bit of a wanderlust. I wanted her to get back on-point and I eventually craved an alternate point-of-view with less intensity, one that didn't leave me feeling so dang exhausted. Perhaps Mia's twin brother, John would have given some 'happy' relief here.
Despite the last two paragraphs, and here I go again talking out of both sides of my face, I'm glad I read this book for the great storytelling, interesting characters, and details that made me smarter and more aware. I'm glad my book-lessons are over for now, I look forward to this author's next novel, and I definitely recommend Happiness Falls!
3.75⭐rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group/Hogarth, and Angie Kim for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
September 20, 2023
Happiness Falls is a novel about a missing father told from the perspective of his daughter, Mia. Mia has a twin brother named John and a younger brother, Eugene, who is nonverbal due to his genetic condition of Angelman syndrome. Eugene was the only person with their father before their father disappeared and Eugene is unable to communicate.
Just when you think things can't get any worse, they do. And the hits just keep on coming.
I really liked the tension, drama, and many twists and turns in the story. At first, I didn't like the "stream of consciousness" of Mia's approach to telling the story. To me, it was initially distracting from a straight forward story arc. Mia indicates that her mother is a straightforward person and just wants people to get to the point---I felt the same way. But I began to appreciate the writing style of Angie Kim and how well she portrayed the thought process of a twenty-something protagonist.
Just when you think things can't get any worse, they do. And the hits just keep on coming.
I really liked the tension, drama, and many twists and turns in the story. At first, I didn't like the "stream of consciousness" of Mia's approach to telling the story. To me, it was initially distracting from a straight forward story arc. Mia indicates that her mother is a straightforward person and just wants people to get to the point---I felt the same way. But I began to appreciate the writing style of Angie Kim and how well she portrayed the thought process of a twenty-something protagonist.
September 2, 2023
I had seen some early reviews for this that were highly rated and I requested the ARC..
I didn’t read Miracle Creek, so this author was new to me.
I found this to be such a slow read and quite tedious.. too many details.
You can read the synopsis… and other reviews to get an idea as to what this story is about.
I seem to be the outlier here.. most people really enjoyed this.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!
June 29, 2024
Goodreads Choice Awards Opening Round - Best Mystery & Thriller
Many of you loved this. And while I loved parts of it, I found Mia's narration a bit grating at times.
Things I loved? Biracial Korean American representation. How whiteness changes how people perceive you. The nuances of language. How we judge those that speak second or third languages with accents. Learning more about autism and Angelman syndrome.
I will say the mystery aspect of this interested me much less than the familial aspect. I was very over the detective very quickly. I think my favorite part was reading and learning about the happiness quotient.
(Side note: Why are so many Asian Americans named Eugene? Or Eunice? I ask this as an Asian American.)
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Hogarth
Many of you loved this. And while I loved parts of it, I found Mia's narration a bit grating at times.
Things I loved? Biracial Korean American representation. How whiteness changes how people perceive you. The nuances of language. How we judge those that speak second or third languages with accents. Learning more about autism and Angelman syndrome.
I will say the mystery aspect of this interested me much less than the familial aspect. I was very over the detective very quickly. I think my favorite part was reading and learning about the happiness quotient.
(Side note: Why are so many Asian Americans named Eugene? Or Eunice? I ask this as an Asian American.)
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Hogarth
October 27, 2023
A central character in Happiness Falls is 14-year-old Eugene. He has a dual diagnosis of autism and Angelman syndrome, “which means he can’t talk, has motor difficulties, and…has an unusually happy demeanor with frequent smiles and laughter.”
When Eugene returns home alone on a summer morning in 2020 from a hike with his dad near the Potomac River, the mystery begins: What happened to Adam Parson, who seemingly vanished into thin air from a suburban Virginia park?
While that question propels the novel, it is so much more than just a mystery—it’s a labyrinth of familial secrets and philosophical musings. Author Angie Kim explores the relativity of happiness; Noam Chomsky’s theory of psycholinguistic nativism; the rudiments of speech therapy; and, above all, the pervasive mislabeling and misunderstanding of neurodivergent people.
Interestingly, Kim’s first novel, Miracle Creek, also put an autistic character at the center of the plot.
In Eugene’s case, his family treats him similar to a nonverbal toddler. His lessons are like a preschool program and he spends a lot of time watching cartoons on his iPad.
Narrating this novel is his 20-year-old sister, Mia, who in contrast to Eugene, has a flair for language fueled by a wide-ranging intellect. A college student who’s moved home during the Covid pandemic, Mia may be neurotypical, but she’s hardly typical.
A caustic polymath powerhouse, Mia’s brain is always working at full throttle, she dissects every aspect of life, and includes her scientific, philosophic, and musical ponderings in a stream-of-consciousness style. In fact, much like her honors thesis, Mia uses footnotes to supplement her story.
Her relentless analysis — she will often shift into what she refers to as “Vulcan mode” (yep, she’s a huge Trekkie) — might annoy some readers, but I appreciated the way her perspective was written. It always felt grounded in Mia’s reality and stayed very in character for who she is; a testament to Kim’s storytelling genius.
Mia’s hyper-analysis of everything is how she makes sense of the fact that their father not only disappeared but apparently had been keeping secrets from them. To what degree? That’s all part of the mystery.
I should also mention that Mia has a fraternal twin, John, different from her in every way — looks, personality, beliefs. In their attempt to figure out what happened to dad, they really have to try to connect with one another and learn to communicate with each other.
Happiness Falls covers so many topics — language, family, communication, the pandemic, racism — all with the backdrop of a missing person’s case. The mystery, however, ends up not being the focal point but a means to understand what Eugene has been experiencing his entire life: his lack of fluency in spoken English is automatically equated with lack of intelligence.
Kim’s second novel is a cautionary tale of our reliance on communication to inform intelligence, thereby stripping non-verbal individuals of their humanity and making assumptions about their cognitive abilities. Her afterword about the inspiration behind the book is quite moving.
Angie Kim has proven herself to be a masterful storyteller, balancing the mystery here with the family dynamics. Each chapter reveals just enough to keep us guessing.
This is a hard read but an important one that will stick with you for some time. Full of mystery, drama, and philosophical musings, Happiness Falls is a beacon of originality.
January 17, 2023
HAPPINESS FALLS is a rarity: a riveting page turner about a missing man and a precise (and luminous) exploration of what it's like to be the teens he has left behind. The twists are surprising and the turns are moving. You will fall in love with this family -- and this novel. It's a treasure.
August 23, 2023
This novel is about a Korean American family in Virginia whose lives are upended when Adam Parson, husband to Hannah Park and father to twins Mia and John (20) and Eugene (14), surname Parkson, goes missing. I didn't even know you could give your children a totally different surname from either parent! According to the blurb Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. I should've taken the "philosophical inquiry" part more seriously!
Having loved Miracle Creek by this author I was really excited to be approved to read the ARC of this one and could hardly wait to get into it. Unfortunately I wasn't as enamored of the book as I had hoped. The story is told by Mia and I found her to be very arrogant and egotistical. She uses many big words and quotes studies and beliefs that I had absolutely no interest in. Some of it is relevant to the story but not all and it feels like she's looking down her nose at the reader the whole time. Her twin John is a more likeable young adult and Eugene is fascinating. He suffers from mosaic Angelman Syndrome which I had never heard of prior to this and those parts are really interesting. Most of the chapters are really long and I found myself skimming a lot of the book. I came very close to calling it quits but it did get a little better for me in the second half. There are footnotes at the end of pretty much every chapter, most unusual in a fiction book, but the chapters are so long that by the time I got to the end I forgot what the footnote referred to. The events take place during the pandemic and all the mentions of masks and lockdowns brought back such anxious feelings that it took away from any enjoyment I found. The ending is left open for interpretation which I normally dislike but in this case it was appropriate. The information in the Author's Note to do with spelling to communicate for nonspeakers is absolutely jaw-dropping. This book is just not for me but I'm definitely in the minority and I'm still wondering what I missed. I'd read another book by Angie Kim though as long as Mia doesn't narrate.
Thank you to Random House Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: August 29, 2023
Having loved Miracle Creek by this author I was really excited to be approved to read the ARC of this one and could hardly wait to get into it. Unfortunately I wasn't as enamored of the book as I had hoped. The story is told by Mia and I found her to be very arrogant and egotistical. She uses many big words and quotes studies and beliefs that I had absolutely no interest in. Some of it is relevant to the story but not all and it feels like she's looking down her nose at the reader the whole time. Her twin John is a more likeable young adult and Eugene is fascinating. He suffers from mosaic Angelman Syndrome which I had never heard of prior to this and those parts are really interesting. Most of the chapters are really long and I found myself skimming a lot of the book. I came very close to calling it quits but it did get a little better for me in the second half. There are footnotes at the end of pretty much every chapter, most unusual in a fiction book, but the chapters are so long that by the time I got to the end I forgot what the footnote referred to. The events take place during the pandemic and all the mentions of masks and lockdowns brought back such anxious feelings that it took away from any enjoyment I found. The ending is left open for interpretation which I normally dislike but in this case it was appropriate. The information in the Author's Note to do with spelling to communicate for nonspeakers is absolutely jaw-dropping. This book is just not for me but I'm definitely in the minority and I'm still wondering what I missed. I'd read another book by Angie Kim though as long as Mia doesn't narrate.
Thank you to Random House Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: August 29, 2023
September 11, 2023
I’ve been waiting for another book by this author ever since I read Miracle Creek, so I was ecstatic when I saw Happiness Falls available on Netgalley. I’m happy to report this release was just as riveting as her debut.
Like Miracle Creek, this book focuses on a character that has autism but also Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic condition.
It discusses many themes, including language, communication, disability, ableism, and happiness - often through a philosophical lens.
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently, and this book managed to pull me out of it. Angie Kim knows how to hook her readers and keep them engaged. It’s a tense read with lots of foreshadowing, making it hard to put down.
I’m excited to see what the author publishes next.
Thank you to Hogarth for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Like Miracle Creek, this book focuses on a character that has autism but also Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic condition.
It discusses many themes, including language, communication, disability, ableism, and happiness - often through a philosophical lens.
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently, and this book managed to pull me out of it. Angie Kim knows how to hook her readers and keep them engaged. It’s a tense read with lots of foreshadowing, making it hard to put down.
I’m excited to see what the author publishes next.
Thank you to Hogarth for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Read
September 17, 2023I'm in the minority here, but I dnf this book ... Can't say why, I just found it slow and not as gripping as Ms Kim's first book. It's a rare thing for me to give up in the middle, but I had other titles waiting ..
August 29, 2023
Update 8/29/23: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me an ARC of Happiness Falls in exchange for an honest review.
14-year-old Eugene suffers from a rare-but-real genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, which has left him unable to speak or communicate with his family. When he comes home from a walk, hours late and bloody and most importantly alone, his family scrambles to search for his father, Adam. But as the hours and days pass, the family begins to learn secrets about Adam and each other, and the police close in on the person they believe was criminally responsible for Adam’s disappearance.
On one level, Happiness Falls is a mystery about Adam’s disappearance, though a complex one with a lot of moving parts. There are clues and red herrings and suspects. It’s told in the first person by Eugene’s older sister Mia, who has an entertainingly sarcastic personality. This book is set during the pandemic and, interestingly, required the lockdown for certain key plot points. And while there is most certainly a resolution, the ending is realistic enough that it has some ambiguity to it.
But Happiness Falls is about much more than the mystery of Adam’s disappearance. It is an interesting exploration of happiness and how to feel happier. As with Ms. Kim’s first novel, Miracle Creek, this book is a deep dive into the challenge of parenting, or being a sibling to, a special needs child and, specifically, the risk, pain, and guilt of infantilizing someone because of their disability. The story is about how family members actually fail to communicate with one another and the tremendous cost that can result. And, as if that were not enough, there’s a juxtaposition between these failures to communicate and those experienced by immigrants who come to America able to understand English but not speak it.
Happiness Falls is a second strong novel by Ms. Kim. It’s complex and thoughtful about a number of ideas and issues, with a realistically ambiguous ending. Recommended.
We didn’t call the police right away. Later, I would blame myself, wonder if things might have turned out differently if I hadn’t shrugged it off, insisting Dad wasn’t missing missing but just delayed, probably still in the woods looking for Eugene, thinking he’d run off somewhere.
…
The thing about the mystery of Dad’s disappearance is that there is an answer. Something happened to Dad. The problem is that Dad might be the only person who knows the answer.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me an ARC of Happiness Falls in exchange for an honest review.
14-year-old Eugene suffers from a rare-but-real genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, which has left him unable to speak or communicate with his family. When he comes home from a walk, hours late and bloody and most importantly alone, his family scrambles to search for his father, Adam. But as the hours and days pass, the family begins to learn secrets about Adam and each other, and the police close in on the person they believe was criminally responsible for Adam’s disappearance.
On one level, Happiness Falls is a mystery about Adam’s disappearance, though a complex one with a lot of moving parts. There are clues and red herrings and suspects. It’s told in the first person by Eugene’s older sister Mia, who has an entertainingly sarcastic personality. This book is set during the pandemic and, interestingly, required the lockdown for certain key plot points. And while there is most certainly a resolution, the ending is realistic enough that it has some ambiguity to it.
But Happiness Falls is about much more than the mystery of Adam’s disappearance. It is an interesting exploration of happiness and how to feel happier. As with Ms. Kim’s first novel, Miracle Creek, this book is a deep dive into the challenge of parenting, or being a sibling to, a special needs child and, specifically, the risk, pain, and guilt of infantilizing someone because of their disability. The story is about how family members actually fail to communicate with one another and the tremendous cost that can result. And, as if that were not enough, there’s a juxtaposition between these failures to communicate and those experienced by immigrants who come to America able to understand English but not speak it.
Happiness Falls is a second strong novel by Ms. Kim. It’s complex and thoughtful about a number of ideas and issues, with a realistically ambiguous ending. Recommended.
March 16, 2024
I found the plot of this book super well-written. One of the first novels in a long time where I felt like I was on the edge of my seat; I flipped through the pages quickly so I could figure out what happened. Happiness Falls centers on a half-Korean, half-white family in which the white father goes missing, leaving the two older twin siblings, their younger brother who has autism/Angelman syndrome, and their mother reeling. Angie Kim did an excellent job both on the sentence-level and on the greater plot level of keeping me on my toes with their father’s disappearance. Each twist and turn made sense and added to the development of the story.
I did want a bit more from other elements of the story. I actually don’t think the characters were too well-developed. They each had somewhat distinct personalities and features that distinguished them from one another, but I honestly didn’t get too much depth from them. There were some interesting themes about disability and disability justice, too. But other than that I left this book feeling more like I just finished a well-written thriller that excited me, rather than a novel that made me reflect more deeply about relationships, issues of justice and equity, etc. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I think Kim was both sensitive and electric in her writing, even if I’m not sure if Happiness Falls will leave too much of a longer-lasting impact on me.
I did want a bit more from other elements of the story. I actually don’t think the characters were too well-developed. They each had somewhat distinct personalities and features that distinguished them from one another, but I honestly didn’t get too much depth from them. There were some interesting themes about disability and disability justice, too. But other than that I left this book feeling more like I just finished a well-written thriller that excited me, rather than a novel that made me reflect more deeply about relationships, issues of justice and equity, etc. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I think Kim was both sensitive and electric in her writing, even if I’m not sure if Happiness Falls will leave too much of a longer-lasting impact on me.
April 26, 2023
Having loved Angie Kim’s debut, ‘Miracle Creek’ (as thousands of others did too), I was very excited to read “Happiness Falls”.
Having just finished the 400 page book I have a mixture of many thoughts.
FIRST, and FOREMOST….I ENJOYED IT….and Angie Kim is a great writer.
The positives for me was getting to know the close-knit Korean- American family:
Mom: She had a PhD in linguistics.
DAD: Adam Parson > gone missing from a nearby Rivers Fall Park.
Eugene ….youngest/teenage son - nonspeaking - with a dual diagnosis of autism and a rare genetic disorder called mosaic Angelwood syndrome (AS)…..
John and Mia - Twin brother and sister. Twenty-years of age.
They are home from college due to the Covid lockdown..
Mia is the narrator throughout the book ….
ALL OF THE ABOVE IS GREAT….(we get to know Mia intimately— and she was the perfect choice voice to tell this story).
Mia liked to think that she had a logical, organized mind, but because she struggled to make sense of the confusing and sometimes contradictory information about what happened to her Dad …..
she started an inquiry project….. inquiring into many theories hypothesis, and philosophical ponderings — an HQ (Happiness Quotient) project as her way to figure out “WHAT HAPPENED TO ADAM PARSON?”
….miscommunication?, ran away?, hiding for an experiment?, kidnapped?, injured?, amnesia?, suicide?, murder?, accidental death? etc….
And ….
…..Mia was very protective of her younger brother, Eugene.(to the point of making possible assumptions and hiding information).
AGAIN…..this was a GOOD BOOK …..
But here are my mixed thoughts….
…..we have a very interesting story about a boy - his disabilities and how the family is affected by him - and even the reader has compelling things to learn from Eugene. (a wonderful part of this book).
…..we also have a mysterious story about the Father who has gone missing with police investigations.
…..and
…..we have an experience of the trials and tribulations from a family ….who is biracial.
Without giving any spoilers ….
…..and because of the books length of 400 pages ….I couldn’t help but become anxious for some ‘reveal’.
Even if the book was shorter I would have been highly engaged and interested to discover the revelations…..I ‘did’ enjoy the ‘journey’ to the end ….
But
……after reading the entire book (I enjoyed the footnotes included- I felt they definitely added to this story)….
But
……I couldn’t help but wonder if this story would have been just as strong - perhaps stronger - if it had focused primarily on Eugene…..
( dare I say) …. > and NOT HAVE A MISSING DAD STORY AT ALL!!!
At times it felt as though two prime stories were competing against each other.
The suspense ‘did’ drag out a little too long (asking a lot of patience from readers in my opinion)….
However….
I’ll read Angie Kim — ‘again’ - and ‘again’.
I DO enjoy her creative storytelling and writing uniqueness.
So even though I didn’t enjoy this book AS MUCH as “Miracle Creek”…..I’m still glad I read it and enjoyed plenty.
A few excerpts:
Voice of Mia:
“My worry for Dad, lack of sleep, guilt, and confusion, concern for Eugene—Those were swirling into a jumble of panic and paranoia that was messing with my judgment, what was left of it, and all of a sudden, I was mad at Dad, furious with him, for not being here, for causing this mess, and then furious at myself for being disloyal and self-centered and awful. Which may be why I downplayed what happened next” . . .
A lot happens next …..
“There’s this moment, right when you wake up after something horrible has happened, and everything seems normal — then the rash from normal to devastating in a “zeptosecond”.
“Sometimes, when something happens, or rather, when something might have happened, you can keep your fear at bay by denying it. Confirming its seriousness by saying it out loud—‘Hello, we have an emergency. Our Dad is missing’— is not only terrifying, but seems unwise when there are still two ways this might go. The moment hangs in balance, like a seesaw, and the slightest wind could be the deciding factor between up or down, found, or loss, safe or dead”.
“It’s funny how being different from everyone else in a group can make you feel either isolated/insecure or special/important, depending on the social hierarchy of the trait in question. Take race: being white is considered best in the US, and even in Korea, which is why Mom felt awkward and unwanted when she first moved to the US as a teenager, whereas Dad had no issues being the only white person visiting rural Korean villages, people talking as if he were a celebrity. Same with gender. Mom says how hard it is to be taken seriously as the only woman at work, whereas Dad has essentially been anointed king of the stay-at-home parent circle”.
“If you set the epistemological bar high enough, there are things that can never be proven; extreme skepticism leads to nihilism, the erasure of all meaning”.
Thank you Netgalley, and Random House.
Having just finished the 400 page book I have a mixture of many thoughts.
FIRST, and FOREMOST….I ENJOYED IT….and Angie Kim is a great writer.
The positives for me was getting to know the close-knit Korean- American family:
Mom: She had a PhD in linguistics.
DAD: Adam Parson > gone missing from a nearby Rivers Fall Park.
Eugene ….youngest/teenage son - nonspeaking - with a dual diagnosis of autism and a rare genetic disorder called mosaic Angelwood syndrome (AS)…..
John and Mia - Twin brother and sister. Twenty-years of age.
They are home from college due to the Covid lockdown..
Mia is the narrator throughout the book ….
ALL OF THE ABOVE IS GREAT….(we get to know Mia intimately— and she was the perfect choice voice to tell this story).
Mia liked to think that she had a logical, organized mind, but because she struggled to make sense of the confusing and sometimes contradictory information about what happened to her Dad …..
she started an inquiry project….. inquiring into many theories hypothesis, and philosophical ponderings — an HQ (Happiness Quotient) project as her way to figure out “WHAT HAPPENED TO ADAM PARSON?”
….miscommunication?, ran away?, hiding for an experiment?, kidnapped?, injured?, amnesia?, suicide?, murder?, accidental death? etc….
And ….
…..Mia was very protective of her younger brother, Eugene.(to the point of making possible assumptions and hiding information).
AGAIN…..this was a GOOD BOOK …..
But here are my mixed thoughts….
…..we have a very interesting story about a boy - his disabilities and how the family is affected by him - and even the reader has compelling things to learn from Eugene. (a wonderful part of this book).
…..we also have a mysterious story about the Father who has gone missing with police investigations.
…..and
…..we have an experience of the trials and tribulations from a family ….who is biracial.
Without giving any spoilers ….
…..and because of the books length of 400 pages ….I couldn’t help but become anxious for some ‘reveal’.
Even if the book was shorter I would have been highly engaged and interested to discover the revelations…..I ‘did’ enjoy the ‘journey’ to the end ….
But
……after reading the entire book (I enjoyed the footnotes included- I felt they definitely added to this story)….
But
……I couldn’t help but wonder if this story would have been just as strong - perhaps stronger - if it had focused primarily on Eugene…..
( dare I say) …. > and NOT HAVE A MISSING DAD STORY AT ALL!!!
At times it felt as though two prime stories were competing against each other.
The suspense ‘did’ drag out a little too long (asking a lot of patience from readers in my opinion)….
However….
I’ll read Angie Kim — ‘again’ - and ‘again’.
I DO enjoy her creative storytelling and writing uniqueness.
So even though I didn’t enjoy this book AS MUCH as “Miracle Creek”…..I’m still glad I read it and enjoyed plenty.
A few excerpts:
Voice of Mia:
“My worry for Dad, lack of sleep, guilt, and confusion, concern for Eugene—Those were swirling into a jumble of panic and paranoia that was messing with my judgment, what was left of it, and all of a sudden, I was mad at Dad, furious with him, for not being here, for causing this mess, and then furious at myself for being disloyal and self-centered and awful. Which may be why I downplayed what happened next” . . .
A lot happens next …..
“There’s this moment, right when you wake up after something horrible has happened, and everything seems normal — then the rash from normal to devastating in a “zeptosecond”.
“Sometimes, when something happens, or rather, when something might have happened, you can keep your fear at bay by denying it. Confirming its seriousness by saying it out loud—‘Hello, we have an emergency. Our Dad is missing’— is not only terrifying, but seems unwise when there are still two ways this might go. The moment hangs in balance, like a seesaw, and the slightest wind could be the deciding factor between up or down, found, or loss, safe or dead”.
“It’s funny how being different from everyone else in a group can make you feel either isolated/insecure or special/important, depending on the social hierarchy of the trait in question. Take race: being white is considered best in the US, and even in Korea, which is why Mom felt awkward and unwanted when she first moved to the US as a teenager, whereas Dad had no issues being the only white person visiting rural Korean villages, people talking as if he were a celebrity. Same with gender. Mom says how hard it is to be taken seriously as the only woman at work, whereas Dad has essentially been anointed king of the stay-at-home parent circle”.
“If you set the epistemological bar high enough, there are things that can never be proven; extreme skepticism leads to nihilism, the erasure of all meaning”.
Thank you Netgalley, and Random House.
October 18, 2023
‘I am here’
50-year-old father of three Adam Parson has gone missing. He was out hiking with his 14-year-old son, Eugene, who is seen running from the woods alone. He arrives home in a frantic state, pushing his older sister Mia to the ground. Where is Adam? Is he dead or alive? Well, the obvious thing is to ask Eugene what he knows but unfortunately he has Angelman Syndrome which means, amongst other symptoms, he is unable to speak. Later, the family unsuccessfully search the park, Adam’s disappearance is a huge puzzle and which is now investigated by Detective Janus. Mia narrates what follows, the situation is made worse by the pandemic and quarantine rules which has a serious impact on the events.
This is an incredibly powerful novel which is so well written, but be warned the authenticity of the plot means there is a lot of maths, science and philosophy which does swamped me a bit on occasions but I do get used to this. I love Mia’s many footnotes too, which you can choose to read or not! However, I become utterly wrapped up in Eugene, and the desire to understand Angelman Syndrome as this is the main feature of the novel which both breaks your heart and makes it surge with joy on occasion. It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to be Eugene as he cannot express his feelings, but the author does a terrific job in making you feel deep empathy.
Eugene‘s portrayal is quite simply superb. He moves me to tears on occasions with parts of the storyline making me gasp in shock at the judgements being made and which reveals such an unpleasant side of human nature. Whilst this is very sensitively done, it equally pulls no punches as it shouldn’t. All the characters in the book are very well portrayed. I love the connection between Mia and her twin brother John, I like her self-awareness and her honesty and the love and care they all have for Eugene, which shines through what follows. The family dynamics are fascinating and often fluctuate which is so true of families and so makes it feel authentic.
As well as shining a light on Angelman Syndrome, it includes other issues such as racism and struggling to adapt to a new country (Korea and the USA) and the learning a new language.
Although it is hard to get a handle on some of the ideas of the book, especially the philosophical thoughts/experiments that Mia’s father is exploring (“the happiness quotient “) this book takes you on a real journey. Yes, it’s a slow burner, especially at the start, but it’s so worth sticking with as I realise I’m really sad now I’ve finished the book. It’s a really good thing to read a book that challenges you in several ways, and this does exactly that. It’s a literary tour de force that’s for sure, and it’s one that will stay with me as I can’t stop thinking about it. That fact alone in my opinion warrants five stars despite the slow start as it is quite simply a fantastic book. I look forward to reading more books by this hugely talented author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
50-year-old father of three Adam Parson has gone missing. He was out hiking with his 14-year-old son, Eugene, who is seen running from the woods alone. He arrives home in a frantic state, pushing his older sister Mia to the ground. Where is Adam? Is he dead or alive? Well, the obvious thing is to ask Eugene what he knows but unfortunately he has Angelman Syndrome which means, amongst other symptoms, he is unable to speak. Later, the family unsuccessfully search the park, Adam’s disappearance is a huge puzzle and which is now investigated by Detective Janus. Mia narrates what follows, the situation is made worse by the pandemic and quarantine rules which has a serious impact on the events.
This is an incredibly powerful novel which is so well written, but be warned the authenticity of the plot means there is a lot of maths, science and philosophy which does swamped me a bit on occasions but I do get used to this. I love Mia’s many footnotes too, which you can choose to read or not! However, I become utterly wrapped up in Eugene, and the desire to understand Angelman Syndrome as this is the main feature of the novel which both breaks your heart and makes it surge with joy on occasion. It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to be Eugene as he cannot express his feelings, but the author does a terrific job in making you feel deep empathy.
Eugene‘s portrayal is quite simply superb. He moves me to tears on occasions with parts of the storyline making me gasp in shock at the judgements being made and which reveals such an unpleasant side of human nature. Whilst this is very sensitively done, it equally pulls no punches as it shouldn’t. All the characters in the book are very well portrayed. I love the connection between Mia and her twin brother John, I like her self-awareness and her honesty and the love and care they all have for Eugene, which shines through what follows. The family dynamics are fascinating and often fluctuate which is so true of families and so makes it feel authentic.
As well as shining a light on Angelman Syndrome, it includes other issues such as racism and struggling to adapt to a new country (Korea and the USA) and the learning a new language.
Although it is hard to get a handle on some of the ideas of the book, especially the philosophical thoughts/experiments that Mia’s father is exploring (“the happiness quotient “) this book takes you on a real journey. Yes, it’s a slow burner, especially at the start, but it’s so worth sticking with as I realise I’m really sad now I’ve finished the book. It’s a really good thing to read a book that challenges you in several ways, and this does exactly that. It’s a literary tour de force that’s for sure, and it’s one that will stay with me as I can’t stop thinking about it. That fact alone in my opinion warrants five stars despite the slow start as it is quite simply a fantastic book. I look forward to reading more books by this hugely talented author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 15, 2023
A literary mystery at its finest
This book grabbed me. It’s suspenseful but also informative and thought-provoking. Who can complain about that?! It’s about a dad who goes missing after a trip to the park with his adored teenage son, Eugene.
Eugene has Angelman syndrome, a rare disorder that is often mistaken for autism. Strangely (and eerily), the afflicted person is almost always happy and has a smile, regardless of what tragedies may be going down.
Eugene is nonverbal, so he can’t say what happened to his dad. And could he communicate what happened even if he could speak? What is he capable of understanding? He returns home alone, bloody and agitated. Did Eugene have anything to do with his dad disappearing? How to find out? The story is about finding dad but is even more about Eugene, since he was the last person to see dad. He is a super interesting character.
Turns out (surprise, surprise), dad had secrets, so during the search, the mom and Mia are going through the wringer, trying to figure out whether the nice man they loved was really so nice.
The story is narrated by earnest teen Mia, Eugene’s sister. She tells you her every thought, analyzes her brother to death, and ponders her dad’s motivations. A lot. I will say that although I loved Mia’s intense analysis, sometimes it was a bit much. The editor could have done the old clip-clip a bit more.
It’s funny, I don’t like books that have a bunch of facts thrown in. Usually I’d absolutely want to stick to the plot, especially since it’s a mystery, but here I was never bothered when the book went on about Eugene’s condition (which was fascinating) or the study on happiness that the dad had been working on. Much analysis, and much psychology, linguistics, and philosophy. It really meets the standard of a fine literary mystery. I was all in. The ideas about happiness really were cool!
Here are a couple of highlights:
“Research shows your genetic optimism makeup accounts for 40% of your happiness.”
“I don’t understand people who pop out of sleep at the first alarm. I love snoozing. A push of a button, elongating the surreal haze of that liminal phase, letting me linger in the delicious afterglow of the dream world where anything is possible, where I can think something and it’s suddenly there the next moment, no transition, no explanation, no logic. It’s like sitting in the theater after a great movie has ended, listening to the score as the credits scroll, giving you time to reflect before you head back to the real world.”
I liked Kim’s earlier book, Miracle Creek, which was also a mystery and was also about a kid with a developmental disorder. It’s clear that Kim did a lot of research for both books. The two stories couldn’t be more different, but both are heady in a good way. I highlighted a bunch, including many new words.
This one’s a keeper! Can’t wait for the author’s next book!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Publication date: August 29, 2023
This book grabbed me. It’s suspenseful but also informative and thought-provoking. Who can complain about that?! It’s about a dad who goes missing after a trip to the park with his adored teenage son, Eugene.
Eugene has Angelman syndrome, a rare disorder that is often mistaken for autism. Strangely (and eerily), the afflicted person is almost always happy and has a smile, regardless of what tragedies may be going down.
Eugene is nonverbal, so he can’t say what happened to his dad. And could he communicate what happened even if he could speak? What is he capable of understanding? He returns home alone, bloody and agitated. Did Eugene have anything to do with his dad disappearing? How to find out? The story is about finding dad but is even more about Eugene, since he was the last person to see dad. He is a super interesting character.
Turns out (surprise, surprise), dad had secrets, so during the search, the mom and Mia are going through the wringer, trying to figure out whether the nice man they loved was really so nice.
The story is narrated by earnest teen Mia, Eugene’s sister. She tells you her every thought, analyzes her brother to death, and ponders her dad’s motivations. A lot. I will say that although I loved Mia’s intense analysis, sometimes it was a bit much. The editor could have done the old clip-clip a bit more.
It’s funny, I don’t like books that have a bunch of facts thrown in. Usually I’d absolutely want to stick to the plot, especially since it’s a mystery, but here I was never bothered when the book went on about Eugene’s condition (which was fascinating) or the study on happiness that the dad had been working on. Much analysis, and much psychology, linguistics, and philosophy. It really meets the standard of a fine literary mystery. I was all in. The ideas about happiness really were cool!
Here are a couple of highlights:
“Research shows your genetic optimism makeup accounts for 40% of your happiness.”
“I don’t understand people who pop out of sleep at the first alarm. I love snoozing. A push of a button, elongating the surreal haze of that liminal phase, letting me linger in the delicious afterglow of the dream world where anything is possible, where I can think something and it’s suddenly there the next moment, no transition, no explanation, no logic. It’s like sitting in the theater after a great movie has ended, listening to the score as the credits scroll, giving you time to reflect before you head back to the real world.”
I liked Kim’s earlier book, Miracle Creek, which was also a mystery and was also about a kid with a developmental disorder. It’s clear that Kim did a lot of research for both books. The two stories couldn’t be more different, but both are heady in a good way. I highlighted a bunch, including many new words.
This one’s a keeper! Can’t wait for the author’s next book!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Publication date: August 29, 2023
November 5, 2023
Angie Kim's sophomore novel, Happiness Falls, uses the mystery of Adam Parson's disappearance to frame her exploration of the verbal expression of intelligence and a discussion of happiness, while contained in a rich family drama.
Kim's narrator is Adam and Hannah's twenty year-old daughter Mia. Her chatty, conversational style draws me in and engages me. I enjoy her tangential philosophical asides. My brain works in a similar way, and I am entertained by all of the footnotes.
Eugene, the youngest of the siblings at fourteen, has a diagnosis of autism and mosaic Angelman Syndrome. I learn how these conditions present in him and some of the details of his therapy. Kim takes pains to stress that non-speaking is not the same as nonverbal (without words/language). She points out how most of us equate oral fluency with intelligence and uses the example of how non-native speakers with foreign accents are sometimes treated as inferior or stupid. I have witnessed this effect with family and friends in various situations where they are treated with sighs of impatience. These are short term, minor communication situations. I can't begin to imagine how it must feel to have so many thoughts and feelings held inside, bursting to get out, with no way to communicate.
I appreciate Kim's discussion of happiness. What is it? Does it vary with individuals? If states of happiness are relative, is it possible to manipulate/shift the level of happiness a person feels? Can happiness and ambition co-exist? Is happiness the most important quality in life to achieve? I want to add the question how does life purpose factor into happiness? These questions have led to several stimulating discussions over the last few days.
The Park/Parson family is made up of fully realized characters. I feel like I know them, that I could drop in and start up a conversation with each. I can also relate to and enjoy the family dynamics.
While not perfect, Kim has a heavy hand in a few places, Happiness Falls is a well written, thoughtful work that is also thoroughly entertaining.
Publication 2023
Kim's narrator is Adam and Hannah's twenty year-old daughter Mia. Her chatty, conversational style draws me in and engages me. I enjoy her tangential philosophical asides. My brain works in a similar way, and I am entertained by all of the footnotes.
Eugene, the youngest of the siblings at fourteen, has a diagnosis of autism and mosaic Angelman Syndrome. I learn how these conditions present in him and some of the details of his therapy. Kim takes pains to stress that non-speaking is not the same as nonverbal (without words/language). She points out how most of us equate oral fluency with intelligence and uses the example of how non-native speakers with foreign accents are sometimes treated as inferior or stupid. I have witnessed this effect with family and friends in various situations where they are treated with sighs of impatience. These are short term, minor communication situations. I can't begin to imagine how it must feel to have so many thoughts and feelings held inside, bursting to get out, with no way to communicate.
I appreciate Kim's discussion of happiness. What is it? Does it vary with individuals? If states of happiness are relative, is it possible to manipulate/shift the level of happiness a person feels? Can happiness and ambition co-exist? Is happiness the most important quality in life to achieve? I want to add the question how does life purpose factor into happiness? These questions have led to several stimulating discussions over the last few days.
The Park/Parson family is made up of fully realized characters. I feel like I know them, that I could drop in and start up a conversation with each. I can also relate to and enjoy the family dynamics.
While not perfect, Kim has a heavy hand in a few places, Happiness Falls is a well written, thoughtful work that is also thoroughly entertaining.
Publication 2023
August 27, 2023
I gave it two tries but it's now clear: Angie Kim and I just aren't a fit. This is her second novel and I read both with a kind of obligation, knowing that other people really enjoy her books and hoping to see what they see. But I don't. And it's okay. We're just not a match.
What she writes about, on paper, sounds like I should love it. I enjoy crime novels and mysteries. I especially enjoy legal thrillers that actually work. Kim does a great job, really, with the courtroom stuff and legal proceedings. There are very few writers who do this so of course I had to try and then try again even after the first one didn't really work for me. The thing that kills it for me is that there is an overlap between that legal thriller stuff and characters that inevitably involve families with special needs children. That circle is one I usually avoid because people rarely do it well. Kim is better than most, you can tell she's very aware of issues with ableism and is trying hard to present cognitively disabled children as characters just the way she does with everyone else. But I still struggle even with the idea of it, as so much of the focus around people with cognitive and mental disabilities is around children, and really around their families. They get all the attention and focus and they so often do the speaking for their disabled family members. Kim's novel continue this problem and I have a hard time with it.
On top of that, when you combine it with the judicial system, well then it hits a whole new sensitive spot for me, unfortunately. My history working in the judicial system, having seen a whole lot of people with mental and cognitive disabilities get arrested and imprisoned simply because we have no real support for their disabilities is one of those nice little traumas that I can usually tuck back and avoid until a book like this decides to poke it.
So yeah. This was much too stressful for me.
But also this book showed me that even outside of those stressors that Kim and I aren't a fit. I didn't enjoy Mia's narration, though I suspect for most people it's the most appealing part of the book. I didn't enjoy all the explaining Kim does, it's the kind of book where people will say afterwards that they "learned so much about Angelman Syndrome" but I do not like when it's delivered as explaining and explaining and explaining. And I didn't find much interesting or mysterious about Mia's father's exploration of happiness, the peaks and valleys of it. I was not so surprised in the afterword when Kim said that much of this is a personal interest, it just went on and on for so long and it never felt like enough to me to explain what was happening.
And, finally, the story itself, once all was revealed, wasn't satisfying. I felt jerked around by some of the twists. I found Mia's habits of saying "oh if only we hadn't done X" annoying rather than tension-building. I just did not connect with any of it.
So this will be my last one and from here on out I'll be very happy for the rest of you who enjoy her stuff from the sidelines.
What she writes about, on paper, sounds like I should love it. I enjoy crime novels and mysteries. I especially enjoy legal thrillers that actually work. Kim does a great job, really, with the courtroom stuff and legal proceedings. There are very few writers who do this so of course I had to try and then try again even after the first one didn't really work for me. The thing that kills it for me is that there is an overlap between that legal thriller stuff and characters that inevitably involve families with special needs children. That circle is one I usually avoid because people rarely do it well. Kim is better than most, you can tell she's very aware of issues with ableism and is trying hard to present cognitively disabled children as characters just the way she does with everyone else. But I still struggle even with the idea of it, as so much of the focus around people with cognitive and mental disabilities is around children, and really around their families. They get all the attention and focus and they so often do the speaking for their disabled family members. Kim's novel continue this problem and I have a hard time with it.
On top of that, when you combine it with the judicial system, well then it hits a whole new sensitive spot for me, unfortunately. My history working in the judicial system, having seen a whole lot of people with mental and cognitive disabilities get arrested and imprisoned simply because we have no real support for their disabilities is one of those nice little traumas that I can usually tuck back and avoid until a book like this decides to poke it.
So yeah. This was much too stressful for me.
But also this book showed me that even outside of those stressors that Kim and I aren't a fit. I didn't enjoy Mia's narration, though I suspect for most people it's the most appealing part of the book. I didn't enjoy all the explaining Kim does, it's the kind of book where people will say afterwards that they "learned so much about Angelman Syndrome" but I do not like when it's delivered as explaining and explaining and explaining. And I didn't find much interesting or mysterious about Mia's father's exploration of happiness, the peaks and valleys of it. I was not so surprised in the afterword when Kim said that much of this is a personal interest, it just went on and on for so long and it never felt like enough to me to explain what was happening.
And, finally, the story itself, once all was revealed, wasn't satisfying. I felt jerked around by some of the twists. I found Mia's habits of saying "oh if only we hadn't done X" annoying rather than tension-building. I just did not connect with any of it.
So this will be my last one and from here on out I'll be very happy for the rest of you who enjoy her stuff from the sidelines.
August 20, 2023
I just went back and read the description for this novel. It is definitely not a riveting page-turner. It was a slow moving, tedious read. I felt like the author wasn’t sure what this book should be. Every time the narrator said “but that’s before…” then shared some other plot point that *I think* was supposed to intrigue the reader, I found myself sighing and rolling my eyes. I found the mom, dad, and Mia very unlikeable. Too long and drawn out for sure with a deeply unsatisfying conclusion. I’m surprised at how high the ratings are for this. I should have DNFed it.
December 24, 2023
When I use to facilitate the book group at my local library, one of the first things I would do in the beginning would be to engage the group in discussion of the quotes that most authors had at the start of their novels. There was always something profound or hidden within the message of those quotes that would give us insight into what we could expect as readers.
So…
As I began to read this book, I couldn’t help but find myself in a similar place.
Looking at the opening quotes.
The author had shared 3 quotes, but two quotes stood out. The first was shared by Emily Dickinson in 1896, when she said…
“I lost a World – the other day! Has Anybody found?”
There are so many ways to interpret this quote, outside of the story, but it did give me opportunity to pause and reflect. How do we feel when the world feels too complicated? Do we feel a little lost or out of our element?
Then…
The second quote by Stephen Hawking, shared in his book “The Universe in a Nutshell” says…
“It’s a crazy world out there. Be curious.”
And…
There you have it. Exactly what we need to do – whether the world (or us) feels lost or not…we can find the time to be curious.
Still…
There is the story.
And…
I have to believe these quotes meant something to Ms. Kim as she had us readers begin the story.
It is the summer of 2020, and Adam Parson vanishes while hiking with his 14-year-old son, Eugene. Eugene returns home agitated and alone, blood is caked under his fingernails.
But…
Eugene can’t tell anyone what happened.
Because…
He has a dual diagnosis of autism and Angelman syndrome, a developmental disorder which makes him incapable of speaking.
So…
What happened?
Our narrator is Mia, Parson’s 20-year-old daughter who has moved home from college during the Covid pandemic. Reading her is like listening to someone talking a mile a minute in which you can’t get a word in edgewise. It feels frenetic and somewhat exasperating.
Can we get to the point, please, and figure out what happened to Dad?
Many possibilities for his disappearance are presented throughout the story, including the inevitable thought that Eugene could be responsible for it.
Which…
Gives readers an opportunity to learn more about what it is like to be in Eugene’s skin with his disorder.
And then…
The book takes a confusing turn. A third-act twist that leaves this reader uncertain what to think.
It feels like language and science are on trial in this novel, failing the characters, and frustrating the readers. (Well, at least this one!)
So…
What is happiness? Where does it fall? What happened to Adam Parson? What is the “Happiness Quotient” that was important to Adam?
And…
What will readers learn about his disappearance, and Eugene? Will Eugene’s speech therapist, Anjeli be able to help him speak?
Still…
Even with all these questions swirling around, or how frustrated I felt by the intensity of the writing and the complexities of the plot…
I couldn’t help but feel amazement towards the author as she sensitively showcased the profound impact a special-needs child has on a family.
There is a mystery to be unraveled and revealed here alongside happiness and sorrow, futility and hope…
Which…
Kept this reader turning pages frenetically for resolution.
Or…
At least to finally get to the end. 3.5 stars rounded up.
April 27, 2023
QUICK TAKE (will update review closer to publication): I was lucky enough to read the book earlier this year, and really loved it. Similar to MIRACLE CREEK, #HappinessFalls is an emotional, entertaining character-based mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat and also introduced me to a world I knew little to nothing about (whereas Kim introduced readers to hyperbaric chambers and oxygen therapy in Miracle Creek, here she explores nonverbal conditions and learning disabilities in a nuanced and thoughtful way). If I had any issues, i struggled a bit with the teen POV; I think I was expecting multiple character POV similar to MC (and at times this almost read YA to me), but by the halfway point, I found myself invested in the characters and mystery and ultimately wasn't an issue that hindered my enjoyment of the novel. Angie Kim is the real deal!
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