Who Would Like This Book:
If you love beautifully written books that tug at your heartstrings, "After You'd Gone" delivers a powerful punch. Maggie O'Farrell masterfully pieces together a story using shifting timelines and perspectives, unveiling secrets and raw emotion bit by bit. The character of Alice is deeply real and easy to connect with, making this perfect for fans of literary fiction, family dramas, and stories exploring love and grief. The deft storytelling and evocative writing style are especially rewarding for readers who enjoy novels that challenge and immerse them.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers may find the nonlinear structure - with frequent time jumps and shifting points of view - a bit confusing or disorienting, especially at first. A few found certain parts of the love story a tad melodramatic or the motivations of characters a little hard to relate to. If you prefer straightforward narratives or want everything made crystal clear immediately, this might frustrate you.
About:
"After You'd Gone" by Maggie O'Farrell is a novel that intricately weaves together the story of Alice Raikes, a woman who attempts suicide after witnessing something shocking in Edinburgh. The narrative moves back and forth in time, exploring Alice's past, her relationships, and the events that led to her tragic decision. O'Farrell's writing style incorporates shifting perspectives, flashbacks, and a non-linear timeline to gradually reveal the complexities of Alice's life and the emotional turmoil she experiences.
The novel delves into themes of love, loss, family dynamics, and personal struggles, all while maintaining a sense of mystery and suspense. Through skillful storytelling, O'Farrell creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged as they uncover the hidden truths and secrets that shape Alice's journey towards self-discovery and healing.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Contains themes of suicidal behavior, mental health issues, grief, and trauma which may be triggering for some readers.
Has Romance?
Romantic elements are significant but intertwined with broader themes of love, family, and personal identity.
From The Publisher:
Alice Raikes takes a train from London to Scotland to visit her family, but when she gets there she witnesses something so shocking that she insists on returning to London immediately. A few hours later, Alice is lying in a coma after an accident that may or may not have been a suicide attempt. Alice's family gathers at her bedside and as they wait, argue, and remember, long-buried tensions emerge. The more they talk, the more they seem to conceal. Alice, meanwhile, slides between varying levels of consciousness, recalling her past and a love affair that recently ended. A riveting story that skips through time and interweaves multiple points of view, After You'd Gone is a novel of stunning psychological depth and marks the debut of a major literary talent.
Ratings (4)
Loved It (2) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (11):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (6) | |
Not Interested (1) |
2 comment(s)
I read this book the first time back in 2018 and gave it 3 stars. Had hoped my rating would change bit sadly not. I do enjoy Maggie Ofarrells writing but this one didn't grab me as much as some of her other book as. Still a good book though
Although not the best book I've ever read, it wasn't the worst. I liked how the different stories unfolded and found it compelling, although the changing viewpoints could be a bit confusing. There was heaps of family drama - although the blurb focuses on Alice - it's really about her family. There's generations of secrets and truths and lies and feelings. If you like contemporary dramas this is for you. Unfortunately, it's not really my thing.
What can you read after
After You'd Gone?
About the Author:
Maggie O'Farrell's debut novel, After You'd Gone, won a Betty Trask Award and earned her a spot on the "21 great talents for the 21st century" list compiled by the Orange Prize for Fiction panel.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
