You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
eloracookauthor 's review for:
The Astonishing Color of After
by Emily X.R. Pan
"Because the purpose of a memory, I would argue, is to remind us how to live."
This is one of the most beautifully heart-wrenching books I've ever read. And I absolutely loved it so much. The Astonishing Color of After, welcome to my top favourite books of all time.
This book is a whopper in size for a magical realism (though I wonder if contemporary fantasy is a better term to use?) book and I understand if some people are intimidated/weary of beginning such a large book that isn't high fantasy or historical fantasy. But let me be the one to tell you that the story is so so worth it. I finished this last night and throughout the final chapters was bawling my eyes out at how real and connected I felt to Leigh and everything she had to say about grief, loss, love, family, and new beginnings.
Going into this book, be prepared for the heaviness of it's subject matter as well. TW: the whole premise resolves around the mother's death by suicide, but I saw no flaws in how Emily X.R. Pan dealt with the difficult topic. Everything Leigh dealt with was so genuine, she was a grieving teenager who made flawed decisions and thoughts, but grew into a beautiful strong person I understood so well.
The writing is very poetic, but so well done that you're not lost by confusing, pretty words that don't have any use on the page. Everything had a purpose and it all brought you, the reader, to feel what Leigh was feeling and see her emotional journey as if you too are experiencing it.
Overall, I loved this book. I am heartbroken because of this book. It struck every nerve and I wouldn't have it any other way. If you're prepared for an emotional story, I highly recommend this one.
"She was the color of home."
This is one of the most beautifully heart-wrenching books I've ever read. And I absolutely loved it so much. The Astonishing Color of After, welcome to my top favourite books of all time.
This book is a whopper in size for a magical realism (though I wonder if contemporary fantasy is a better term to use?) book and I understand if some people are intimidated/weary of beginning such a large book that isn't high fantasy or historical fantasy. But let me be the one to tell you that the story is so so worth it. I finished this last night and throughout the final chapters was bawling my eyes out at how real and connected I felt to Leigh and everything she had to say about grief, loss, love, family, and new beginnings.
Going into this book, be prepared for the heaviness of it's subject matter as well. TW: the whole premise resolves around the mother's death by suicide, but I saw no flaws in how Emily X.R. Pan dealt with the difficult topic. Everything Leigh dealt with was so genuine, she was a grieving teenager who made flawed decisions and thoughts, but grew into a beautiful strong person I understood so well.
The writing is very poetic, but so well done that you're not lost by confusing, pretty words that don't have any use on the page. Everything had a purpose and it all brought you, the reader, to feel what Leigh was feeling and see her emotional journey as if you too are experiencing it.
Overall, I loved this book. I am heartbroken because of this book. It struck every nerve and I wouldn't have it any other way. If you're prepared for an emotional story, I highly recommend this one.
"She was the color of home."