Today’s book is one I had on my waitlist for quite a while. It came available at the same time two other books of mine came available so rather than take one of them off of my waitlist and lose it, I quickly listened. The book is What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins.
This book started out promising for me…and then I waited and waited and waited thinking something was going to bring the book up a level. It didn’t happen.
I think I might have had a little difficulty with this book as I can’t see myself in close connection with the Quaker faith which seems through this story, quicker to move on. I really couldn’t relate to any of the characters in the story. In my personal life experience, I have seen nothing that makes this book believable in a way that things would happen as they did. It’s hard to say more without ruining the book.
Here is what Amazon has to say:
“After the shocking death of two teenage boys tears apart a community in the Pacific Northwest, a mysterious pregnant girl emerges out of the woods and into the lives of those same boys’ families—a moving and hopeful novel about forgiveness and human connection.
In misty, coastal Washington State, Isaac lives alone with his dog, grieving the recent death of his teenage son, Daniel. Next door, Lorrie, a working single mother, struggles with a heinous act committed by her own teenage son. Separated by only a silvery stretch of trees, the two parents are emotionally stranded, isolated by their great losses—until an unfamiliar sixteen-year-old girl shows up, bridges the gap, and changes everything.
Evangeline’s arrival at first feels like a blessing, but she is also clearly hiding something. When Isaac, who has retreated into his Quaker faith, isn’t equipped to handle her alone, Lorrie forges her own relationship with the girl. Soon all three characters are forced to examine what really happened in their overlapping pasts, and what it all possibly means for a shared future.
With a propulsive mystery at its core, What Comes After offers an unforgettable story of loss and anger, but also of kindness and hope, courage and forgiveness. It is a deeply moving account of strangers and friends not only helping each other forward after the tragedy but inspiring a new kind of family.”
Amazon readers gave the book 4.2 stars. I’m giving it 3.5. I didn’t like it and feel I should have dropped the book early on…but I was so hopeful it was going to somehow turn around and be good.
I feel so bad as someone messaged me and asked what I was currently listening to and I told them this book. They ended up reading it…I sent them down a bad road.
I quickly lost interest in this book. I think it just moved too slowly for me. I quit after a couple chapters.
Was it the Quaker faith that made you not like this book?
There is an incident that happens in the book, I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone, so didn’t tell what it was. I just could never see myself doing what the Dad in the story did…or for that matter, the mom. The people just weren’t in my capacity to relate to. If I can’t find something to relate to, I don’t typically like the books.