A review by paigeandpages_
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

5.0

Where to begin? This book was fantastic! Although it was long and slow paced, I like to think that was intentional. During stages of grief and depression we cannot "fast forward" or speed through it, we have to endure it. The author did an amazing job pacing the story, and really making me feel empathetic towards Leigh. I love the choice to compare emotions to colors, it is an extremely hard topic to discuss, even as an adult I struggle with communicating emotions but when discussing them as if they were colors is such an easy way to understand someone. This book definitely brought tears to my eyes, as the topic of suicide does in terms of remembering loved ones lost. I thought the author did a fantastic job of weaving a story while also incorporating an exploration of another culture, beautifully done and left me craving some dumplings. I would recommend to anyone who truly wants to feel something from a book, and leave with a hopeful feeling. Everything gets better, but to get better we have to go through and endure the hard times and surround ourselves with love.