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acampbell1230's review against another edition
3.0
Full Review at: Bright Copy Book Review
3.5 stars. The Literary Fiction book of the month from BooklyBox dealt with some serious mental health issues, which I'm usually all for. My only real problem with this choice is that it seemed more geared toward the young adult audience.
This book is about two main characters (multiple POVs) Ethan and Caroline. Ethan was abducted when he was 11 years old and was found four years later after his kidnapper grabbed another child, Caroline's autistic brother Dylan.
There are plenty of issues for Dylan to deal with, but this book was mostly about his relationship with Caroline in the aftermath of his traumatic return. We slowly start to learn more about what happened to Ethan, and see him start to heal and cope while questioning his beliefs and understanding his repressed memories. I do wish that the book included more of his memories and/or more about the abduction, but I don't think that's what the author was trying to portray. Mostly, she just wanted to show the different issues in Caroline & Ethan's lives and how the abduction affected different people (including both of their parents).
I think that this is a much needed and very important subject matter. Although children returning from kidnappings is rare, it's hard for people to imagine what it's like for anyone involved. It really hit me how so many people were harsh to Ethan, asking why he didn't just run away when his captor gave him a bit more freedom, but it's not like they understood his situation or mindset, or the fact that Marty had threatened both Ethan and his family too many times to count.
I did enjoy the book, but I still think that the previous book, [b:The Atlas of Us|18684631|The Atlas of Us|Tracy Buchanan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398709843s/18684631.jpg|26525130], was the best choice yet.
3.5 stars. The Literary Fiction book of the month from BooklyBox dealt with some serious mental health issues, which I'm usually all for. My only real problem with this choice is that it seemed more geared toward the young adult audience.
This book is about two main characters (multiple POVs) Ethan and Caroline. Ethan was abducted when he was 11 years old and was found four years later after his kidnapper grabbed another child, Caroline's autistic brother Dylan.
There are plenty of issues for Dylan to deal with, but this book was mostly about his relationship with Caroline in the aftermath of his traumatic return. We slowly start to learn more about what happened to Ethan, and see him start to heal and cope while questioning his beliefs and understanding his repressed memories. I do wish that the book included more of his memories and/or more about the abduction, but I don't think that's what the author was trying to portray. Mostly, she just wanted to show the different issues in Caroline & Ethan's lives and how the abduction affected different people (including both of their parents).
I think that this is a much needed and very important subject matter. Although children returning from kidnappings is rare, it's hard for people to imagine what it's like for anyone involved. It really hit me how so many people were harsh to Ethan, asking why he didn't just run away when his captor gave him a bit more freedom, but it's not like they understood his situation or mindset, or the fact that Marty had threatened both Ethan and his family too many times to count.
I did enjoy the book, but I still think that the previous book, [b:The Atlas of Us|18684631|The Atlas of Us|Tracy Buchanan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398709843s/18684631.jpg|26525130], was the best choice yet.
kunger129's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu. I loved her first two books, but I think this one might be my favorite so far. Caroline’s younger, autistic brother, Dylan, is kidnapped from their front yard. When he is found 4 days later, Ethan is also found. He was kidnapped from the same town more than 4 years earlier. Caroline knew Ethan, or at least knew of him, because they live in a small Texas town. When her parents refuse to acknowledge what happened to Dylan or get him help, Caroline decides to talk to the only person who might be able to explain what happened during those 4 days Dylan was gone. Ethan. But unfortunately, Ethan’s mind his repressed the memories in its own effort to cope with the trauma.
This book is written in alternating chapters from Caroline’s and Ethan’s points of view. As the two characters struggle with their own family situations and develop a friendship, details are revealed bit by bit. This book reminded me a little of Emmy & Oliver. I loved the friendship aspects. I thought the therapy sessions that Ethan attends seemed very realistic. And I enjoyed that Mathieu didn’t take things too far between Caroline and Ethan. Everything felt authentic in this story, and I completely devoured it. I had to force myself to save the last 100 pages until another day because I could have stayed up way too late trying to finish this book in one sitting. It’s that good.
While this is a YA book, there were some funny observations about parents and adults that made me chuckle internally as I was reading it. While the adult characters aren’t too prevalent in this book, they were very realistic as well. I saw myself in their actions – whether Mathieu was describing the adults who visited the family farm where Caroline works or whether she was recounting Caroline’s mothers instincts after an intense moment in her life. These details added something extra to the story for me.
My only complain was that Ethan and Dylan seemed like too similar of names, and I got them slightly mixed at when I first started the book. Otherwise, this book was perfection for me. I know I’ll read it again. Probably soon.
http://opinionatedbooklover.com/review-afterward-by-jennifer-mathieu/
This book is written in alternating chapters from Caroline’s and Ethan’s points of view. As the two characters struggle with their own family situations and develop a friendship, details are revealed bit by bit. This book reminded me a little of Emmy & Oliver. I loved the friendship aspects. I thought the therapy sessions that Ethan attends seemed very realistic. And I enjoyed that Mathieu didn’t take things too far between Caroline and Ethan. Everything felt authentic in this story, and I completely devoured it. I had to force myself to save the last 100 pages until another day because I could have stayed up way too late trying to finish this book in one sitting. It’s that good.
While this is a YA book, there were some funny observations about parents and adults that made me chuckle internally as I was reading it. While the adult characters aren’t too prevalent in this book, they were very realistic as well. I saw myself in their actions – whether Mathieu was describing the adults who visited the family farm where Caroline works or whether she was recounting Caroline’s mothers instincts after an intense moment in her life. These details added something extra to the story for me.
My only complain was that Ethan and Dylan seemed like too similar of names, and I got them slightly mixed at when I first started the book. Otherwise, this book was perfection for me. I know I’ll read it again. Probably soon.
http://opinionatedbooklover.com/review-afterward-by-jennifer-mathieu/
batoolmu's review against another edition
4.0
This probably should be my last read in June because I’m going to fail my exams if it wasn’t. Goodreads, please block my account if I read one more book this month.
Anyways, about the book, I really didn’t expect to like it this much, but I did!
I kind of started reading it without prior knowledge of what it was exactly about and I’m glad I did that. I don’t know I feel like this is more refreshing(?) I don’t know if that makes any sense but you get it right?
I adored Ethan, the author did an excellent job in portraying his character and tagging us along with him overcoming his fears with his amazing therapist, Dr. Greenberg. However, I really didn’t like Coraline. In the beginning, at least. I found her really annoying and egocentric, but I didn’t mind her relationship with Ethan, in fact, it made me accept and like her more.
I also liked the sense of humor here, especially that the book talks about a heavy subject, so the author did a very good job in lightening it up.
Anyways, about the book, I really didn’t expect to like it this much, but I did!
I kind of started reading it without prior knowledge of what it was exactly about and I’m glad I did that. I don’t know I feel like this is more refreshing(?) I don’t know if that makes any sense but you get it right?
I adored Ethan, the author did an excellent job in portraying his character and tagging us along with him overcoming his fears with his amazing therapist, Dr. Greenberg. However, I really didn’t like Coraline. In the beginning, at least. I found her really annoying and egocentric, but I didn’t mind her relationship with Ethan, in fact, it made me accept and like her more.
I also liked the sense of humor here, especially that the book talks about a heavy subject, so the author did a very good job in lightening it up.
engpunk77's review against another edition
4.0
As a rule, I don't read books that are about or contain child abuse, especially child molestation or rape. I've learned that the negative and long-lasting consequences on my mental health are not a reasonable cost for an otherwise good read. So I need disclaimers.
As a less strict self-imposed rule, I also don't read summaries on the back or inside covers or watch previews to movies. So all of my books are selected due to word-of-mouth, reviews by librarians, and...the proverbial cover by which I judge the book, shamelessly.
This was in a stack of books portraying autism, and I was drawn in by the cover immediately. The subject of the book (child abduction by a sick stranger) was a screaming red flag, yet, I couldn't put it down, all-the-while praying that the protagonist will have no graphic memories of his time in captivity. The experience was risky, and I couldn't explain why I was putting myself in a potentially traumatic situation. All I want to say about it is that this story is SO WELL DONE. My morbid curiosity obviously kept me turning pages, and thankfully I was able to experience the heartbreak and terror in such a way that did not destroy me. I am left with a new understanding, empathy, and hope. I recommend the book to high school students, and no disclaimer is needed.
I'm thankful for an important message delivered by this book: GET A THERAPIST. Yay! Would be an interesting book to pair with [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|29844228|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462990678s/29844228.jpg|2588213] for the ultimate discussion on healthy and unhealthy coping, although this is covered altogether by the two protagonists in Afterward.
As a less strict self-imposed rule, I also don't read summaries on the back or inside covers or watch previews to movies. So all of my books are selected due to word-of-mouth, reviews by librarians, and...the proverbial cover by which I judge the book, shamelessly.
This was in a stack of books portraying autism, and I was drawn in by the cover immediately. The subject of the book (child abduction by a sick stranger) was a screaming red flag, yet, I couldn't put it down, all-the-while praying that the protagonist will have no graphic memories of his time in captivity. The experience was risky, and I couldn't explain why I was putting myself in a potentially traumatic situation. All I want to say about it is that this story is SO WELL DONE. My morbid curiosity obviously kept me turning pages, and thankfully I was able to experience the heartbreak and terror in such a way that did not destroy me. I am left with a new understanding, empathy, and hope. I recommend the book to high school students, and no disclaimer is needed.
I'm thankful for an important message delivered by this book: GET A THERAPIST. Yay! Would be an interesting book to pair with [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|29844228|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462990678s/29844228.jpg|2588213] for the ultimate discussion on healthy and unhealthy coping, although this is covered altogether by the two protagonists in Afterward.
chasethedisgrace's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
authorheatherw's review against another edition
4.0
What a heartbreaking read! I knew from the synopsis, the story was going to be a tearjerker, but I was certainly impressed with the emotion that the author was able to draw out of me. I liked that there was also a strong focus on healing after trauma and the importance of therapy of not only the individual, but the family as well. Look forward to reading more from the author!
jana10's review against another edition
2.0
The story got boring halfway through. I think it would have been much more interesting had the story been only in Ethan’s POV. This story is inspired by the real kidnapping case of Sean, a boy who was taken from the age of 11.
remake_theworld's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book not really expecting much, but it took me by surprise and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it! The story is extremely sad, but it's very captivating and gripping. Ethan is a wonderful character and I absolutely adore him, so that may have contributed to my love of this book. I would definitely give it a read!!
emilyholyoake's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5