After You'd Gone

After reading this novel, I can officially say that Maggie O’ Farrell is one of my favorite authors. She is such a great story teller. I have read all of her books, and loved each one. This book, however, is my absolute favorite from her.

After You’d Gone is a story about Alice Reikkes and her attempted suicide. She is lying on the bed, comatose, with sisters and her parents Ann and Ben, watching her, wondering why she did it. Was it an accident, intentional? If so, why? What were her reasons?

And so the book goes on containing three different narratives, telling their different thoughts and emotions. One from Ann’s mother-in-law, second from Anne, and the third from Alice herself. The transitions made in this book can be slightly confusing, but I think that’s just the point. Everything is unsure, unknown. Most revelations and stories are surprising and revolting.

It is crazy to think about what Alice is going through, and what her family is going through as well. The plot is dark, sometimes very dark. It’s a bit depressing if you think about it, knowing these kind of things happen in real life. The author touches on such sensitive subjects with such credibility, respect, and truth that you can not help but feel these characters’ emotions. Her writing is truly a work of art, as she pieces the stories together, giving us the conclusion the beautiful story deserves. Beautifully written!

A story of love, loss, and the truth; The book is heartbreaking, beautiful, satisfying, depressing, and uplifting all at the same time; everything a book should be.