Scan barcode
anke_books's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Het trauma van Autumn staat centraal en is goed weergegeven denk ik. Ook het verschil in haar perspectief en het perspectief van de mensen om haar heen. Ook het herstel is realistisch denk ik hoewel misschien wat snel, maar je bent ook beperkt tot de scope van het plot.
Het einde was verrassend, er zat nog een veel diepere laag in dan ik tijdens het lezen dacht.
Het einde was verrassend, er zat nog een veel diepere laag in dan ik tijdens het lezen dacht.
carlsfisch's review
5.0
I can't adequately describe how wonderful this book was. "Life After" was unpredictable, raw, unique, and thought-provoking. The variations and depth of grief explored made the character so real and relatable.
"Maybe comfort wasn't to be found in the "why".
Maybe comfort was to be found in the "who".
A God who wept"
I loved Katie Ganshert'a first three novels, but this one has jumped to my favorite.
"Maybe comfort wasn't to be found in the "why".
Maybe comfort was to be found in the "who".
A God who wept"
I loved Katie Ganshert'a first three novels, but this one has jumped to my favorite.
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
5.0
Autumn’s story in Life After is so unique and has so many emotional twists and turns that I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one sitting and then couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about the story all night!
I love books that make me think about life and death, love and family, and about why things happen. This book includes all of those and so much more. Not a chapter went by that I wasn’t pondering something new or feeling more and more connected with Autumn.
At so many points in the story I really related with the characters. Death is always a hard topic whether it be real life or in the pages of a story. Being confronted with so many deaths in one book was hard but Ganshert was quick to point out that being the one still alive was almost harder. The grief that Autumn lives with is immense. As I read I truly felt every emotion that she was dealing with and loved traveling life with her as she went through her recovery if you will. I really appreciated the journey it was for her because it wasn’t easy but she persevered.
I really liked Paul. There were so many times when I was frustrated with him but then he would do something so amazing or sweet and show his true self and I’d start to fall in love with him. But I truly adored Reese. She was probably the most complex child character I’ve ever read in Christian Fiction. The trials she goes through after losing her mother are awful but I admire her so much.
Ganshert has an amazing ability to put her characters through incredibly hard lives but to come out in the end so much stronger. Few authors can put their characters through so much, share their journey through life, and still me feeling satisfied at the end of the book. The growth that Autumn, Paul, and Reese all experience throughout the pages of this book is amazing. I loved all the ways that they overcame the hard parts of life and that so many outside sources were involved that were truly realistic to anyone going through similar battles. I hope this book spurs people who need help with similar issues of grief and depression not to be afraid to reach out to friends, family, the church, and/or a counselor.
And while love isn’t the main part of this novel don’t worry it is still there. For me, it was almost more special because it wasn’t the main focus of the story. I really enjoyed watching it unfold in the small ways.
The back of this book calls it Ganshert’s most complex novel yet and it certainly is. You do not want to miss this one. It is amazing.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I love books that make me think about life and death, love and family, and about why things happen. This book includes all of those and so much more. Not a chapter went by that I wasn’t pondering something new or feeling more and more connected with Autumn.
At so many points in the story I really related with the characters. Death is always a hard topic whether it be real life or in the pages of a story. Being confronted with so many deaths in one book was hard but Ganshert was quick to point out that being the one still alive was almost harder. The grief that Autumn lives with is immense. As I read I truly felt every emotion that she was dealing with and loved traveling life with her as she went through her recovery if you will. I really appreciated the journey it was for her because it wasn’t easy but she persevered.
I really liked Paul. There were so many times when I was frustrated with him but then he would do something so amazing or sweet and show his true self and I’d start to fall in love with him. But I truly adored Reese. She was probably the most complex child character I’ve ever read in Christian Fiction. The trials she goes through after losing her mother are awful but I admire her so much.
Ganshert has an amazing ability to put her characters through incredibly hard lives but to come out in the end so much stronger. Few authors can put their characters through so much, share their journey through life, and still me feeling satisfied at the end of the book. The growth that Autumn, Paul, and Reese all experience throughout the pages of this book is amazing. I loved all the ways that they overcame the hard parts of life and that so many outside sources were involved that were truly realistic to anyone going through similar battles. I hope this book spurs people who need help with similar issues of grief and depression not to be afraid to reach out to friends, family, the church, and/or a counselor.
And while love isn’t the main part of this novel don’t worry it is still there. For me, it was almost more special because it wasn’t the main focus of the story. I really enjoyed watching it unfold in the small ways.
The back of this book calls it Ganshert’s most complex novel yet and it certainly is. You do not want to miss this one. It is amazing.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
flowersofquiethappiness's review
5.0
Where does one find words for emotions that have none? That would be my exact tangle of feelings after finishing this story a mere thirty minutes ago. It is a rare moment that I close the final pages of a book and immediately feel pressed to get my thoughts down on paper (or, in this instance, in type on a computer). This is one of those exceptions (obviously). The moments (and emotions) I could suppress no longer, they must be written! So here I am, struggling to find adjectives for you. What I am finding? Is this: for those grieving, for those broken, for those who don’t understand, for those questioning “why”, this story is for you!
There may seem a simplicity to the plot, yet vast amounts of emotion and chaos rest in these pages. It is not an easy story, but it is certainly a powerful one. I could recount the details (I won’t), I could wax glorious on the characters (I might), I could try and put words to the meaningful things that only my heart understands at this moment (yep, pretty sure that’ll happen #sorrynotsorry).
In our limited, human understanding of grief and death, the questions that come, the thoughts that circle, these are common things I’ve decided. It’s natural to wonder and wish and regret even a tiny bit. There is always much to be experienced in the After. Whether that After follows a temporary or a final goodbye, it doesn’t matter. The thoughts must be thought, the feelings must be felt. And so it goes with the lone survivor of a train explosion, our main character, Autumn. She is searching for...something. And in these words describing her journey to finding it, the reader discovers a few answers themselves! Or at least, that was my experience. :)
The beautiful thing about this story, for me, wasn’t entirely the quirky characters, each with their own stories inside them (although they were certainly pretty awesome! :). While they are a wonderful part of this adventure, even when they have a small part to play in the overall big story, they each use even their limited page time to create a huge, final impact, and it was those very moments that struck me the most. This story isn’t just Autumn’s journey, or Paul’s journey, it’s also Reese’s, and Tate’s, and Claire’s, and Ina’s, and many others. It’s all these individual characters and their individual moments that mesh together into one giant, glorious journey!
I admit it, I sat down with book in hand, prepared to only skim through the prologue and save the rest for later. Only it didn’t work out that way. At all. (And so it goes, fellow readers, am I right?? ;) The first few paragraphs gripped my heart and before I knew it, I was tearing through the chapters, so anxious to find out how things were going to go for all these beloved characters! And then…
And then!
I reached pretty near the end and a certain few truths hit my heart like an explosion. As one grieving, they were words of truth I needed to hear. They reached into a crack in my heart that I didn’t really even realize was there and burst it open, blowing everything to smithereens in a mere second! A gentle and beautiful reminder that I had forgotten. I literally wept, my friends. And it’s been a great while since a fictional story has affected my emotions to that degree. It was a moment of softening and love. So as I sit here struggling for words (and writing so very many anyway, huh? ;), all I am ultimately left with is this glorious feeling of happy. Of a heart so filled with relief, comfort, grace, and HOPE. This is a hopeful story, friends.
So often I strive to be practical when writing a review, but I know I am sadly missing that mark with this one. All I can tell you is it hit my emotions in a way that I was unprepared for! It was an emotional journey from beginning to end and if I could tell Ms. Ganshert anything, in this very, single moment right now the truest words I have for her are these: Thank you. Your story resonated with me and I am incredibly grateful I had the privilege to read it.
**I received a complimentary copy via Waterbrook & Multnoma. All opinions expressed are my own.
There may seem a simplicity to the plot, yet vast amounts of emotion and chaos rest in these pages. It is not an easy story, but it is certainly a powerful one. I could recount the details (I won’t), I could wax glorious on the characters (I might), I could try and put words to the meaningful things that only my heart understands at this moment (yep, pretty sure that’ll happen #sorrynotsorry).
In our limited, human understanding of grief and death, the questions that come, the thoughts that circle, these are common things I’ve decided. It’s natural to wonder and wish and regret even a tiny bit. There is always much to be experienced in the After. Whether that After follows a temporary or a final goodbye, it doesn’t matter. The thoughts must be thought, the feelings must be felt. And so it goes with the lone survivor of a train explosion, our main character, Autumn. She is searching for...something. And in these words describing her journey to finding it, the reader discovers a few answers themselves! Or at least, that was my experience. :)
The beautiful thing about this story, for me, wasn’t entirely the quirky characters, each with their own stories inside them (although they were certainly pretty awesome! :). While they are a wonderful part of this adventure, even when they have a small part to play in the overall big story, they each use even their limited page time to create a huge, final impact, and it was those very moments that struck me the most. This story isn’t just Autumn’s journey, or Paul’s journey, it’s also Reese’s, and Tate’s, and Claire’s, and Ina’s, and many others. It’s all these individual characters and their individual moments that mesh together into one giant, glorious journey!
I admit it, I sat down with book in hand, prepared to only skim through the prologue and save the rest for later. Only it didn’t work out that way. At all. (And so it goes, fellow readers, am I right?? ;) The first few paragraphs gripped my heart and before I knew it, I was tearing through the chapters, so anxious to find out how things were going to go for all these beloved characters! And then…
And then!
I reached pretty near the end and a certain few truths hit my heart like an explosion. As one grieving, they were words of truth I needed to hear. They reached into a crack in my heart that I didn’t really even realize was there and burst it open, blowing everything to smithereens in a mere second! A gentle and beautiful reminder that I had forgotten. I literally wept, my friends. And it’s been a great while since a fictional story has affected my emotions to that degree. It was a moment of softening and love. So as I sit here struggling for words (and writing so very many anyway, huh? ;), all I am ultimately left with is this glorious feeling of happy. Of a heart so filled with relief, comfort, grace, and HOPE. This is a hopeful story, friends.
So often I strive to be practical when writing a review, but I know I am sadly missing that mark with this one. All I can tell you is it hit my emotions in a way that I was unprepared for! It was an emotional journey from beginning to end and if I could tell Ms. Ganshert anything, in this very, single moment right now the truest words I have for her are these: Thank you. Your story resonated with me and I am incredibly grateful I had the privilege to read it.
**I received a complimentary copy via Waterbrook & Multnoma. All opinions expressed are my own.
owlyreadsalot's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Life After is all kinds of emotional. Autumn is left to pick up the pieces of a life she doesn't recognize anymore. Every day she is reminded of that fateful day where she was the only survivor. It's not that she tries to forget, she has made her days after that painful incident all about that moment. About the people who were on that train with her that day. From the girl with the pixie hair cut, to the boy listening to his music, to the older man who just wanted to talk about the weather and the lack of hair on his head. Innocent souls that did nothing wrong, and yet lost their lives in an instance. Autumn being the only one left alive.
One year later and her family doesn't know how to be around her. How to help her cope when all she has done is create a memorial of sorts in her home. Going over that day, every minute of every hour. With mounting information on the ones who passed away, to clippings, internet searches that fill her computer. It has consumed Autumn's life. But a life she feels is not her own anymore. One that weighs on her at all times.
And while Autumn tries to remember, Paul, who has lost his wife in this senseless bombing, wants to just forget. To leave it all behind and start fresh with his kids. Knowing it won't be an easy feat when so many remind him of it daily. When he has a mother-in-law who isn't the easiest to be around. With painful reminders like a year anniversary gathering with families that lost a loved one in that train. It invades every part of his life and his children's, but he only wants the hurt and anguish to stop.
But one day Autumn and Paul's lives become intertwined when his daughter Reese runs off without warning. Later to be found over at Autumn's. Not only was she there, but they had been writing to each other without Paul's knowledge of it. Even though things seem to be going down the wrong path with all of that, it is completely turned around with Reese's persistence. Helping two people on opposite ends of the spectrum, find a middle ground. In doing so, maybe bringing each of them what they need the most in this time of mourning.
This novel had so much to offer. In a world where chaos seems to reign, it's nice to have a story that brings out the good from something as somber as Tragedy on the Tracks. Showing us that yes it isn't easy, and it never will be when something so horrible transpires. But there is light at the end of a dark situation. And opening up about it, coping with it, can bring peace and closure one might never have had without it. I am glad I took a chance with this read, which far exceeded my expectations.
***I received this copy from Penguin Random House/Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
One year later and her family doesn't know how to be around her. How to help her cope when all she has done is create a memorial of sorts in her home. Going over that day, every minute of every hour. With mounting information on the ones who passed away, to clippings, internet searches that fill her computer. It has consumed Autumn's life. But a life she feels is not her own anymore. One that weighs on her at all times.
And while Autumn tries to remember, Paul, who has lost his wife in this senseless bombing, wants to just forget. To leave it all behind and start fresh with his kids. Knowing it won't be an easy feat when so many remind him of it daily. When he has a mother-in-law who isn't the easiest to be around. With painful reminders like a year anniversary gathering with families that lost a loved one in that train. It invades every part of his life and his children's, but he only wants the hurt and anguish to stop.
But one day Autumn and Paul's lives become intertwined when his daughter Reese runs off without warning. Later to be found over at Autumn's. Not only was she there, but they had been writing to each other without Paul's knowledge of it. Even though things seem to be going down the wrong path with all of that, it is completely turned around with Reese's persistence. Helping two people on opposite ends of the spectrum, find a middle ground. In doing so, maybe bringing each of them what they need the most in this time of mourning.
This novel had so much to offer. In a world where chaos seems to reign, it's nice to have a story that brings out the good from something as somber as Tragedy on the Tracks. Showing us that yes it isn't easy, and it never will be when something so horrible transpires. But there is light at the end of a dark situation. And opening up about it, coping with it, can bring peace and closure one might never have had without it. I am glad I took a chance with this read, which far exceeded my expectations.
***I received this copy from Penguin Random House/Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
ashhleyjean's review
3.0
Loved where this was going. Then it became a love story and that’s what ticked me.
mmreed72's review
4.0
I don't typically read romantic fiction, but the premise of this novel caught my eye. I ended up completely hooked almost immediately and poured through this in less than twenty-four hours. A very sweet story with a strong Christian message, so this would be a great read for someone who is wanting a romance with no sex or language.
mindyb33's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0