A solid, fantastic tale of twins with a family history of falling. Not falling in love? Literally falling. A great title with a great cover, this is a quick book that I got lost in over the course of a Sunday. The narrator is introspective so the language of the book is somewhat sparse, but I found it beautiful. A perfect literary fiction for those who like stories with sibling bonds and interesting family histories.

Published by ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing on January 25, 2022

A family superstition underlies Marta’s obsession with falling. She thinks about people who have fallen from great heights and survived. She thinks about Buster Keaton, the undisputed master of falling. She ponders statistics about falls. She might see falling as a metaphor for her own life.

Marta and Nick are twins. Marta’s mother tells Marta that she has always had trouble being close to anyone other than Nick but cautions Marta that she cannot always be her brother’s keeper. Marta and Nick have much in common, including depression and possibly a suicidal ideation. Their mother is steeped in religion, the kind of religion that forces her to disown Nick when he comes out as gay. Their nonconfrontational father devoted most of his time to constructing a village for his model trains. Marta always wondered how that hobby was meant to keep them safe, but Marta is a bit obsessed with safety.

The family superstition — they avoid calling it a curse — began with Jiří, who in 1895 pushed a stonemason out a window in a cathedral tower that was under renovation in Prague. The stonemason may have seduced Jiří’s daughter, although the truth of the story might be quite different. Since Jiří defenestrated the stonemason, family members have fallen from railings or ladders or roofs, as if they cannot resist falling, their “bodies magnetized to the pavement.” Perhaps the family is being held accountable for the stonemason’s death, or perhaps the family curse has more to do with mental illness.

Marta and Nick visit Prague, a city that is famous for throwing men from windows, as if returning to the scene of their ancestor’s crime will help them “make sense of the shape our lives had taken.” Inevitably, Nick falls from a balcony in Prague, saved by the branches of a tree but nevertheless hospitalized. Whether his fall was accidental is ambiguous, although it gives Marta a chance to discuss a famous photograph with a man she meets in a bar. The photo, later made into art by Andy Warhol, is of a woman who landed on a car after jumping to her death from the Empire State Building. As conversations of seduction go, Marta’s needs some work.

The plot concerns Marta’s journey toward health and forgiveness. She drinks too much. She behaves carelessly. She blames (with a certain amount of good cause) her mother for poor parenting. After Nick promises her that he will try to be careful so that he doesn’t fall again, she comes to realize that trying to be careful might be the only promise she can make to anyone, including herself. Careful with herself, careful with her family, careful with her relationships.

The elegant voice that narrates Defenestrate is well suited to the story. The voice is calm and quiet, never reaching toward melodrama, always keeping the story grounded in Marta’s introspective melancholy. Sometimes Renée Branum reaches for descriptions that fail to resonate, but her prose is usually an appealing blend of the evocative and the precise. The falling metaphor is a bit overused; the examples of fall survivalists become redundant. The tales of Buster Keaton are interesting but ultimately add little of substance to the narrative. Small flaws aside, Branum’s confident and controlled narrative offers an intriguing view of a family learning to manage, and perhaps overcome, a perpetual state of self-inflicted crisis.

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This is probably one of the more unique books I have ever read with a premise that I would have never dreamed of.

I love quirky books, and this one fits the bill and I though the writing was excellent.

Who can resist a book called Defenestrate??

Also- kudos to the cover design which fits the book perfectly.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!

The title is EVERYTHING. Twins, sister and brother, move to Prague. This debut novel was written in such an interesting way with many references to the king of the pratfall, Buster Keaton along with a few historical references to add to the theme of falling. I finished this a few days ago and like it more and more as I think of the word “gravity” and how all of us fall at some point. Lots to discuss here - A good book discussion choice for a literary group. Look forward to reading whatever Renee Branum writes next. Heartfelt thanks to Bloomsbury for the advanced copy.

What an unusual novel this is. Nick and Marta are twins coping with a family legend (curse?) that has its members fall from heights and lows alike. It moves between the US and Prague, the ancestral home. When Nick falls from his apartment it impacts Martha most of all because she must finally confront herself. There's a fair amount of references to Buster Keaton, king of the pratfall, which led me to look for more information on him. It's told in vignettes and if you''re looking for funny, this isn't really it- it's much more serious than you might think. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.

I’m a sucker for any book that might be set in Prague so I was immediately intrigued by the title of this debut novel. To me, the word defenestrate brings to mind the Defenestration of Prague so I felt confident that this book would include both falling out of windows and the capital city of the Czech Republic. It does.

Our narrator is Marta, a young woman growing up in a family with a curse for falling. The story goes that a few generation ago, their ancestor pushed a man out of a tower (in Prague) to his death. Since then, each member of this family is fated to fall. This is a curse that has followed them to America and to the present generation, namely Marta and her twin brother Nick.

As many twins seem to be, Marta and Nick are inextricably entwined. Indeed, Marta at least seems to have few other relationships in her life. The closest she gets to anybody else might be with the local bartender as she begins to drink more and more. When Nick becomes estranged from their parents, he and Marta decide to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak, and move to Prague. There they are brought closer to their own history but further from one another.

The story moves through time, through Marta and Nick’s childhood, as well as their family history. Scenes set in the present day follow Marta navigating the world after Nick has had his own great fall. Falling and its many varieties are a theme throughout and both the twins share an obsession with Buster Keaton, master of falling.

There’s a lot that’s unique and intriguing here and the way Branum ties together themes and history is admirable. The book, however, dragged for me. There’s very little in terms of plot or action that moves the story forward. We know there is a division in their nuclear family, we know that Nick has fallen, we know that the twins’ relationship is shifting. There is tension but not quite enough to push the reader forward. I kept waiting for more. Toward the end there is something of a reveal but I wouldn’t call it a twist or even particularly startling. It makes sense and casts a new light on the story but, I think, might have been more thought-provoking if it came earlier. As I said, this is a debut novel and I’ll be curious to see where Branum goes next.

I was mainly attracted to this book because defenestrate is such a great word, but I'm glad I was. The story itself was good, but I really like the writing itself even more. Marta's family has a long history of falling, and she believes they are cursed and is somewhat obsessed by the legend. When her twin brother falls from a balcony and is seriously injured, she reflects on their relationship, their time in Prague (where the curse began), their fight with their mother, and the falls of many past relatives. 4 stars.

"Defenestrate" is an innovative debut novel by Renee Branum that tackles heavy topics in a series of vignettes. Marta and her twin brother Nick grow up in America but leave for Prague after he is kicked out of the home. They live under the weight of a family history of a distant relative who pushes a stonemason out the window to his death, which leads to a familial fascination and tendency to fall.

As Marta describes it as "something in our bodies wants to fall, blood magnetized to pavement, iron and concrete greeting each other across a stretch of air, the downward plunge and crack, like a pink Easter egg dropped from a window- we splinter that easily."

This is a short novel but Branum's writing evokes a lot of emotion and reflects on topics such as alcoholism, depression, suicide, religion, and homophobia. We observe both literal and metaphorical falls in the family. It's a deeply thoughtful tale that I will be reflecting on for a while.

I chose to read this book initially because I was intrigued by the title, as defenestrate is such an evocative word, and am so glad I did. Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the ebook. Marta and her twin brother Nick move to Prague, where their family was originally from. But they are not there to visit relatives. They’re escaping the blowout arguments with their catholic mother. Marta also is obsessed with a family history that includes a seeming curse of falling to your death. She traces the family falls and becomes obsessed with incredible falls through history where people have survived. From buildings, escaping from jails, from the sides of mountains and even from airplanes. Her hero is Buster Keaton, the man who survived more falls than anyone. When they move back to America and Nick lands in the hospital from his own fall, Marta feels that maybe Nick is giving in to the family curse, but learns from their mother that families are more complicated than the every day stories we tell.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐢𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐠𝐠 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰- 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲.

There is a curse in twins Marta and Nick’s superstitious family, one who seems to be in freefall after their mother reacts to a reality she cannot accept. The ill fate began back in Prague with their great-grandfather Jiří, and all over a ‘gentle push’ that left blood on his hands, ending his reputation, career and forced him to move with his wife and children to the American Midwest. Moving, however, has not chased away their odd inheritance, it is only a matter of time before a fall will come but when? Who? Where? They only know they are doomed to plunge, in one way or another, and there is no end to the creative manner in which one can fall.

When the siblings move back to Prague, the origins of their family curse, they hope to navigate past the dangers and make sense of their sordid family tale. It is also an escape from their mother, making their own bond iron clad, always a family of two. But what does falling even mean? Can one only fall from great heights? How much of their fears are built upon family lore, how many stories are hard facts? What about their relationship with each other? Is prayer, like their mother believes, truly a weapon against misfortune? Nick has spent his life preparing to fall, not unlike a professional. Since childhood, Marta and Nick greatly admired silent film star and physical comedian Buster Keaton, who spent his whole life conquering falls and knocks life heaped upon him. There is something whimsical about his career that lends Marta and Nick faith, that it’s not all doom, that falling is survivable. Marta herself has always craved heights, brazen with her climbing because their is no better view than bird’s eye. Reckless by comparison to her careful brother, almost challenging fate to do it already! Within the tale are stories of other people who have survived incredible plummets and historical figures tossed from windows, a popular Prague practice long ago. The years they spent in Prague are like a dream and upon their return to the United States, the curse strikes, Nick has fallen. Were they so drunk with happiness when it was just the two of them in the old city? Was their time away armor against the curse? Did returning to the ‘scene of their ancestors crime’ lend them knowledge of their own lives? Why did Nick fall? What is the meaning?

It is about fragility, the blood running through our veins that is a continuation of those who came before us, and the fiction we create to chase away the monsters we can’t see nor understand. It is about filling in the gaps with magic, taking control of the narrative forced upon us and our children. A story of gravity as reality, loneliness, love that is just out of our grasp, holding on, letting go, grief, the search for meaning in the mysterious, bonds that include/exclude, all the falls that happen and the ones that never do. Where is the danger really coming from?

Marta cannot prevent catastrophe but it is Nick’s fall that may change everything and clear the air of mystery in their lives. This is an odd, beautiful novel. It is a whirlwind of emotions, sometimes funny and other times heartbreaking. The word defenestrate is a clever title and a history lesson for me. I was absolutely hooked. Yes, read it!

Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Bloomsbury USA

"Defenestrate" is an interesting novel, but it's not very memorable. I finished this a week ago, and I can barely remember the ending. It's probably because this story is told in short paragraphs, and is much more character-driven focused than plot-driven. The beginning of this story is the strongest when we are introduced two adult twins, Marta and Nick. There's a curse put upon their family from generations before the pair was born. The curse causes family members to accidentally fall to their death, or from severe injury. The concept sounded so fascinating to me, but ultimately the pay-off was a bit of a let-down. What I do appreciate is the quirkiness of the writing. It helped give this book a charming and eccentric feel. The major plus was the strong bond the twins share. It was palpable. I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't love it either. It's such a shame because I think this book could've been something special. It's a mixed bag for me.

Thank you, Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the digital ARC.

Defenestrate is a fantastic word. According to Wikipedia, “Defenestration is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window.” Predictably, a novel with such a title is about falling, both literally and figuratively. Marta and her twin brother Nick come from a family with a history of calamity, beginning with a mysterious altercation between one of their ancestors and a stonemason. Following a tragic incident at home, Marta and Nick temporarily relocate to Prague, to try and make sense of everything. But on their return to the US, Nick succumbs to his familial fate, and things begin to unravel.

This is an incredibly compelling story about so many things; family, codependence, self-fulfilling prophecies, silent film star Buster Keaton. The central characters of Marta and Nick are so likable; as a reader, I almost felt as if I became a part of their somewhat dysfunctional relationship. Marta will do anything for Nick, even sacrificing her own happiness. Their relationship with their mother is a entirely believable one; her “christian” values render her incapable to accept Nick’s homosexuality.

Defenestrate is also an ode to Prague. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful city will relate to the descriptions of the ethereal place. Branum clearly has a special relationship with Prague, and her love for the city shines through in her prose.

The novel is broken up into small chapters, and some may find the frequent changes in direction challenging. Personally, I found everything about Defenestrate quite hypnotic. It is a small, warm novel, about familiar, and familial topics. The story unfolds beautifully, and Branum really captures a sense of place. A gem of a novel.

Going into this book, I was unsure of what to expect, but the "falling curse" in the description and the title drew me in. This was literary fiction and it was very well done. While short, this novella was still very impactful. I will be thinking about it for a while. I will also be recommending this read to those in my circle that love strong writing, short books, and metaphors. This is definitely an author I will be looking out for in the future.

I’m the first to properly review this book. Oh, the weight of responsibility. Ok, let’s…
This was a book I selected almost entirely by the title, a word I strangely adore. Although, to be fair, the concept was also intriguing and the Czech Republic providing location as a character for a lot of the story was nice too.
This is a story of a family that tends to have a…let’s say complicated relationship with gravity. They take tumbles and spills, they stumble and they careen. They believe themselves to be doomed by an ancient ancestral legend, but are they? Or is just life itself that causes them to fall, time and again?
The story follows the main protagonists, twins named Marta and Nick, the youngest in their fall prone family line. After their highly religious mother banishes Nick upon finding out he’s gay, the twins relocate to Prague and find themselves drifting through the ancient city, failing to make any real connections outside of one another. And then Nick falls, like so many of his ancestors before him, and Marta stays by his side until he recuperates.
And meanwhile both of them, especially Marta reminisces, heavily, about their past, their family’s past and so on. It’s a novel comprised of reminiscences, a rear view mirror of a novel primarily, a highly literary and almost poetic in style narrative of familial connections and quotidian disconnects of life.
For some reason with a title and a cover being as they are, I expected a quirkier read. This wasn’t quirky. It was serious, heavy, somber. Much like the family in the book, the narrative had its own gravity, it seems. It invites you in and it glides along at a decent speed, strangely compelling, so that you can fall for it but not necessarily in love with it.
It’s poignant, its sadness is lovely, but there’s a certain remove here, a distance between you and the characters, characters that are not exactly easy to emotionally engage with or even like. They have that special twin connection, that almost presupposes an exclusion of outsiders. They also take a really long time to figure their sh*t out, like proper millennials.
Prague comes across as bleak and depressing. It might just be the twins projecting. Or it might be the old world’s weight as experienced by the new world tourists. Which is essentially what they are, Marta barely has enough language to get around, they stay, they graze, but they don’t engage.
Overall, there’s a definitive loveliness to the style that might not always be there for the characters, the writing is so eloquent, so…writerly. It’s definitely a literary work and it knows it. It isn’t pompous with it, though. And every so often there’s an absolutely striking turn of phrase. There was one sentence that absolutely blew me away with its beauty. But overall, it wasn’t a blow you away book. An interesting literary family drama, certainly an accomplished debut, but kind of muted, too rambling, too meditative, too enamored with its own concept to properly wow.
Much like a proper fall, though, it had a proper velocity and sped by very quickly.