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Aftermath of Dreaming
Hypnotic and beautifully written, Aftermath of Dreaming is an incandescent first novel of odern life and love.
Other than the little problem that she is waking up screaming in the middle of the night, life is wonderful for Yvette Broussard. Her jewelry-design career is taking off, she's back with her sort-of boyfriend, and, best of all, she no longer thinks about her once-in-a-lifetime love, international movie star Andrew Madden. Until a chance encounter with him changes everything.
Swept up by memories of their complex relationship, Yvette is plunged into an obsession with Andrew that ultimately forces her to confront the past she thought she had left behind. At the same time, she is juggling the demands of her bride-to-be sister and her male best friend, who is jealous of other men, and thoughts of her estranged father.
Set against the glittering worlds of Los Angeles and New York, and told with both humor and pathos, Aftermath of Dreaming explores the universal themes of abandonment, forgiveness, and letting go.
Other than the little problem that she is waking up screaming in the middle of the night, life is wonderful for Yvette Broussard. Her jewelry-design career is taking off, she's back with her sort-of boyfriend, and, best of all, she no longer thinks about her once-in-a-lifetime love, international movie star Andrew Madden. Until a chance encounter with him changes everything.
Swept up by memories of their complex relationship, Yvette is plunged into an obsession with Andrew that ultimately forces her to confront the past she thought she had left behind. At the same time, she is juggling the demands of her bride-to-be sister and her male best friend, who is jealous of other men, and thoughts of her estranged father.
Set against the glittering worlds of Los Angeles and New York, and told with both humor and pathos, Aftermath of Dreaming explores the universal themes of abandonment, forgiveness, and letting go.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
DeLauné Michel
6 books8 followersA beautifully written exploration of the bonds forged in childhood and challenged decades later."
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 9, 2007
Excellent book which chronicles a young woman's journey from NYC as an 18 year old involed with an older actor, and picks up years later in L.A. when their relationship reignites. Fascinating tale about growing up and self-discovery.
May 6, 2024
I would have loved this concept and book as a short story. It just didn’t feel like the “plot” was strong enough for a full length novel.
April 30, 2014
LIFE FROM THE INSIDE:
This is a book written by a woman, about a woman, with a woman's occasionally grimace-inducing candor, but sorry, I don't see it as a "woman's book." (And what's with "chick lit"? Is it just me or does that phrase seem downright condescending?). This is simply a GOOD BOOK, a great story with a compelling lead character, a detailed sense of time and place, a smart way with words and attitudes, and a deeply compassionate view of...people, male and female. I don't know why men don't seem to read or like books like this; maybe because most men don't know about mercy-f**ks or compulsive caretaking or needing to be the good-girl or struggling to find your way in a world that uses words like "whiny" and "weepy" when talking about women's emotions, but whatever it is, men are missing out. This book is a heartfelt, passionate and bone-achingly truthful story, one that many, many women will identify with and men might find enlightening. Yvette is an arty, brave, and very human Every-Girl, with deeply felt flaws and oh-so-errant ways, but her slightly bent and very real journey is one we want to follow because...well, she's slightly bent and very real! Yay! No feminist proselytizing, no man bashing, no weepy, whiny carrying on, just a girl makin' jewelry, looking for love, and trying to get it right. So despite her personal chaos and dubious decision-making, we like her! She inspires us and makes us want to take her out for coffee. Ms. Michel has written a character we never fail to feel tenderly toward; a women who falls down many of the same flights of stairs others have known and hated, but who does so with such authenticity, we can't help but wish her well and hope for the best along with her. I closed this book feeling deeply satisfied, delighted that I had just read something chewy and worthy and clever and funny and touching and insightful. Congratulations, Ms. Michel...write on.
This is a book written by a woman, about a woman, with a woman's occasionally grimace-inducing candor, but sorry, I don't see it as a "woman's book." (And what's with "chick lit"? Is it just me or does that phrase seem downright condescending?). This is simply a GOOD BOOK, a great story with a compelling lead character, a detailed sense of time and place, a smart way with words and attitudes, and a deeply compassionate view of...people, male and female. I don't know why men don't seem to read or like books like this; maybe because most men don't know about mercy-f**ks or compulsive caretaking or needing to be the good-girl or struggling to find your way in a world that uses words like "whiny" and "weepy" when talking about women's emotions, but whatever it is, men are missing out. This book is a heartfelt, passionate and bone-achingly truthful story, one that many, many women will identify with and men might find enlightening. Yvette is an arty, brave, and very human Every-Girl, with deeply felt flaws and oh-so-errant ways, but her slightly bent and very real journey is one we want to follow because...well, she's slightly bent and very real! Yay! No feminist proselytizing, no man bashing, no weepy, whiny carrying on, just a girl makin' jewelry, looking for love, and trying to get it right. So despite her personal chaos and dubious decision-making, we like her! She inspires us and makes us want to take her out for coffee. Ms. Michel has written a character we never fail to feel tenderly toward; a women who falls down many of the same flights of stairs others have known and hated, but who does so with such authenticity, we can't help but wish her well and hope for the best along with her. I closed this book feeling deeply satisfied, delighted that I had just read something chewy and worthy and clever and funny and touching and insightful. Congratulations, Ms. Michel...write on.
October 24, 2015
Actual rating: 1.5
It has been ages since I've ever felt like not finishing a book. I absolutely hate abandoning a book midway, no matter how terrible. This book seriously tested my patience. After ploughing through it with great difficulty, I really wish I'd chucked it after all.
The writing was so tedious. There was just so much unnecessary shit in the middle which I really didn't get the point of. The writing was alternating between overtly simplistic and overtly descriptive which was very difficult to follow. And the flashbacks!!!! Omg why were they so stilted and annoying?? I could hardly realize which the present day narration was and which the flashback.
The main character Yvette was so fickle minded and spineless that I felt like throttling her! Her never ending vicious cycle with Andrew was one of the most irritating things I've ever come across in a novel. EVER. Good God! The only thing worse (if that's even possible) was the Reggie- Michael- Andrew- Yvette love square. **Facepalm**
And the title!!! God, what is with these abstract titles which confuse and perplex you rather than illuminate you?? Seriously!!
WHY 1.5 AND NOT 1 ?? Well, as laborious as this was, I think there will be a few people who might like it. I had difficulty in recognising the positive aspects of this book as they were so few and far between. But some of the emotions were beautifully captured especially the childhood memories.
Overall, recommended to people with tons of patience!
It has been ages since I've ever felt like not finishing a book. I absolutely hate abandoning a book midway, no matter how terrible. This book seriously tested my patience. After ploughing through it with great difficulty, I really wish I'd chucked it after all.
The writing was so tedious. There was just so much unnecessary shit in the middle which I really didn't get the point of. The writing was alternating between overtly simplistic and overtly descriptive which was very difficult to follow. And the flashbacks!!!! Omg why were they so stilted and annoying?? I could hardly realize which the present day narration was and which the flashback.
The main character Yvette was so fickle minded and spineless that I felt like throttling her! Her never ending vicious cycle with Andrew was one of the most irritating things I've ever come across in a novel. EVER. Good God! The only thing worse (if that's even possible) was the Reggie- Michael- Andrew- Yvette love square. **Facepalm**
And the title!!! God, what is with these abstract titles which confuse and perplex you rather than illuminate you?? Seriously!!
WHY 1.5 AND NOT 1 ?? Well, as laborious as this was, I think there will be a few people who might like it. I had difficulty in recognising the positive aspects of this book as they were so few and far between. But some of the emotions were beautifully captured especially the childhood memories.
Overall, recommended to people with tons of patience!
March 4, 2025
I loved this book.
Michel weaves together the messy emotions of a young woman navigating her way in the world while being haunted by her past and an irresistible relationship that sometimes is good for her, and sometimes isn't. Her inner voice is funny, self-doubting, and frustrating, just like my own. I was rooting for her.
I also liked that the characters were complicated. It was easy to see why Yvette fell in love with the men she did, and why she needed to get rid of them - another thing I related to.
Highly recommend for anyone wanting to revisit that time when we think we are supposed to know who we are and how to make our way in the world, but we are still finding our way.
Michel weaves together the messy emotions of a young woman navigating her way in the world while being haunted by her past and an irresistible relationship that sometimes is good for her, and sometimes isn't. Her inner voice is funny, self-doubting, and frustrating, just like my own. I was rooting for her.
I also liked that the characters were complicated. It was easy to see why Yvette fell in love with the men she did, and why she needed to get rid of them - another thing I related to.
Highly recommend for anyone wanting to revisit that time when we think we are supposed to know who we are and how to make our way in the world, but we are still finding our way.
July 2, 2016
What a strange, strange book. It is very well written (which is why I finished it) but infuriating. From beginning to end, infuriating. The protagonist has a years long affair with a famous actor where he manipulates her endlessly and swears he is a father figure (gross). She allows herself to be treated like dirt thinking it is so romantic. For anyone with daughters or a sister, her actions are incomprehensible - you want to yell at her "you moron, just stop" and maybe that is what makes it as good as it is. Not the usual story nor the usual ending, but very readable. I'd like to read more by this author, just as long as the creepy factor is dialed down A LOT.
January 16, 2013
I debated betwen two and three stars on this one. The novel is interesting most of the time but jumps around a lot shich can make it a little difficult to follow at times. The writing is good overall. The protagonist is really pathetic though in her obsessive love for a man she meets when she is 18 and he is 47 - he really comes across as a user and she just seems to allow him to walk all over her for most of the book. For readers interested in obsessive love stories, this would be a good choice.
August 18, 2012
It's really long and has a lot of meandering plot points that don't quite come together. The main character is either incredibly naive or breathtakingly stupid and both possibilities make her annoying. There are parts that are really well written but not enough to make up for the rambling parts of this too long book.
It's not terrible, but I didn't like it very much, either.
It's not terrible, but I didn't like it very much, either.
May 28, 2022
I adored this book and saw it as a real 'coming of age' chronicle. Michel writes with raw enthusiasm and captures the emotion of every moment beautifully. This will be one I continue to re-read for years to come.
April 18, 2014
well written book of a young woman coming into true adulthood...an inappropriate passion, abandonment and fears of many sorts are woven together in a very good story. has been on my list for a while and i'm glad i finally got to it
June 23, 2008
Good escape novel. Kinda trashy in a watching tv kinda way but hooks ya easily.
March 10, 2012
I loved this book. one of those you don't want to end. can't wait to pick up another one of her books. perfect for where I am in life.
November 25, 2013
2.5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews