Falling (Newman novel)

Falling is a 2021 thriller novel by T. J. Newman.

Falling
AuthorT. J. Newman
LanguageEnglish
PublisherSimon & Schuster
Publication date
July 6, 2021
Pages304 pages

Plot

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During a flight from Los Angeles to New York, a pilot learns that a terrorist intends to kill his family unless he crashes the plane.[1]

Development

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While working as a flight attendant, Newman came up with the novel's plot during a flight from Los Angeles to New York.[2][3] Newman wrote down scenes for the novel on cocktail napkins and catering bills, typing them into a computer during layovers.[3]

The novel was rejected by 41 agents before being accepted by Shane Salerno.[4]

Reception

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Sales

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Falling debuted at #2 on The New York Times bestseller list.[4]

Critical reception

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Kirkus Reviews called the book "An exciting story with great details, lots of action, and an unfortunately problematic premise."[5] USA Today's Tod Goldberg praised the book's plot but criticized the dialogue. He concluded, "Still, Falling is expertly paced – if you were to begin reading this book at LAX, you'd finish it right as you began your descent into JFK, which is surely no accident ... It all makes for a rich and assured debut."[6]

Film adaptation

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The film rights for the novel were sold to Universal and Working Title for $1.5 million, with Newman set to write the script.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Davies, Dave (July 6, 2021). "Fasten Your Seat Belts, Flight Attendant-Turned-Novelist Shares Stories From The Sky". NPR. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Flood, Alison (May 4, 2021). "'Jaws at 35,000 feet': the flight attendant whose debut thriller sold for seven figures". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Egan, Elisabeth (June 30, 2021). "A Flight Attendant Drafted Her Novel on Cocktail Napkins. It Took Off". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Holliday, Kayla (July 15, 2021). "Falling Author TJ Newman Reacts to Her Spot on the Bestseller List: "I Never Dreamed This Big"". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "Falling". Kirkus Reviews. September 1, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Goldberg, Tod. "'Falling' review: Former flight attendant's debut thriller lives up to the hype". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  7. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 21, 2023). "As T.J. Newman Is Set To Adapt Debut Novel 'Falling', Her Follow-up 'Drowning: The Rescue Of Flight 1421' Drops In Hollywood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.