Helpful Score: 8
Amazing. Maggie O'Farrell engages the reader in a sort of voyeuristic time travel through the lives of Alice and her family. I could not put this book down, so well written, it draws you in.
Helpful Score: 6
I highly recommend this book. The author has intricately woven a very touching story that will keep you thinking about the characters long after you've finished the book.
Helpful Score: 4
Loved this book - a definite keeper. I could feel the main characters pain as she was going thru the things that happened to her. This is not something I can say for every book I read, unfortunately. Read this in 2 sittings. Just could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
Do not give up on this book. I almost put it down, as I struggled to get into it at first, but it turned out to be absolutely fantastic. The back of the book described a tragic love, so I knew the results could not have been good, but the book is so cleverly crafted that I kept reading expecting that the back cover lied to me. Amazing, amazing book.
Helpful Score: 1
I suffered through this read hoping it would get better but it did not. It just droned on and on. The characters seemed pathetic and not connected - not terribly developed. The story itself was very choppy, flashing back and forth between histories of a mother, Ann, and daughter, Alice, as well as what Alice is thinking while in a coma. A lot of extraneous dialogue not helpful for the flow of the story. For me the authors "voice" was not only offputting but unpleasant. Overall, this book seemed like it was written by a 7th grader just learning how to put together the parts of a story.
One of the best books I've read. It haunted me for days after because I could feel what she felt.
Maggie O'Farrell is a beautiful writer. The story was intriguing, and original. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This is a well written book and the descriptions she provides are perfectly done. It is told in an interesting way. We know the main character is in the hospital but we keep moving between the hospital and earlier parts of her life. But it isn't as good as her first book The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.
Maggie O'Farrell's story was difficult to get into at first. Jumping time lines and points of view with little or no indication between paragraphs that the time line has changed. Patient readers will be rewarded by Part 2 when the story hits its stride. The story of Alice is about a wonderful love affair, a tragedy and a deceptive family history. Very emotional and satisfying read.
Alice Raikes takes a train from London to Scotland to visit her family, but when she gets there she witnesses something so shocking that she insists on returning to London immediately. A few hours later, Alice is lying in a coma after an accident that may or may not have been a suicide attempt. Alice's family gathers at her bedside and as they wait, argue, and remember, long-buried tensions emerge. The more they talk, the more they seem to conceal. Alice, meanwhile, slides between varying levels of consciousness, recalling her past and a love affair that recently ended. A riveting story that skips through time and interweaves multiple points of view, After You'd Gone is a novel of stunning psychological depth and marks the debut of a major literary talent. Maggie O'Farrell tells a good story about love, family, grief and loss. Alice gets hit by a car and is in a coma throughout the rest of the book. She reflects on her life remembering old boyfriends, fun times with her sisters and some difficult times with her mother. I'm now looking forward to reading another Maggie O'Farrell book. If you love a good story then you will love this book.
This book was all over the place & difficult to follow. I was about 1/3 of the way thru it when I was finally able to begin piecing together things. It was still very difficult to follow.
Initially, I found this book somewhat difficult to follow. The time lines shift, as do the characters' ages and interactions. I am so very glad that I stayed with it to the point where I couldn't put it down. Maggie O'Farrell did an excellent job of developing the relationships to the point where they all converged. I found myself deeply moved by the portrayal of raw, real pain, which everyone who has lost someone irreplacable in their lives and hearts will recognize. The ending was, in my opinion, perfect. We are left knowing that hearts will mend with help and sharing memories with someone else who cared as much will provide mutual solace.
This book was astounding.
I read about 2 chapters of this and couldn't get into the plot at all. Ended up giving it away to a friend.
Initially, I found this book somewhat difficult to follow. The time lines shift, as do the characters' ages and interactions. I am so very glad that I stayed with it to the point where I couldn't put it down. Maggie O'Farrell did an excellent job of developing the relationships to the point where they all converged. I found myself deeply moved by the portrayal of raw, real pain, which everyone who has lost someone irreplacable in their lives and hearts will recognize. The ending was, in my opinion, perfect. We are left knowing that hearts will mend with help and sharing memories with someone else who cared as much will provide mutual solace.
