What do you think?
Rate this book
Aftermirth
"I stopped being funny the day my wife was electrocuted by her underwire bra."
So begins "Aftermirth," a surprising dark comedy from Hillary Jordan, the NY Times-bestselling author of MUDBOUND and WHEN SHE WOKE.
The story explores the absurdity of death through the eyes of 36-year-old comedian, writer and actor Michael Larssen. What is horribly funny to the rest of the world is devastating to Michael, who loved his wife deeply, especially her bright, abandoned laughter, which captivated him from the first time he ever heard it. In the aftermath of her death, he loses his sense of humor, along with his career.
After two years of mourning her, he sees an article in the paper about a factory worker named Julio Santiago who fell into a giant vat of dough and was kneaded to death. For reasons Michael doesn't understand, he decides to go to the man’s wake. There he meets and bonds with Julio’s twenty-nine-year-old daughter Elena, a law student who is reeling from her father’s unexpected and preposterous death.
Three months later, she calls him out of the blue and suggests that the two of them drive to North Carolina to speak with another survivor like themselves Elena has found on the Internet. Their road trip is a darkly funny journey of healing that takes them deep into the heart of their grief and others’, and then beyond it, to a place of peace and laughter.
So begins "Aftermirth," a surprising dark comedy from Hillary Jordan, the NY Times-bestselling author of MUDBOUND and WHEN SHE WOKE.
The story explores the absurdity of death through the eyes of 36-year-old comedian, writer and actor Michael Larssen. What is horribly funny to the rest of the world is devastating to Michael, who loved his wife deeply, especially her bright, abandoned laughter, which captivated him from the first time he ever heard it. In the aftermath of her death, he loses his sense of humor, along with his career.
After two years of mourning her, he sees an article in the paper about a factory worker named Julio Santiago who fell into a giant vat of dough and was kneaded to death. For reasons Michael doesn't understand, he decides to go to the man’s wake. There he meets and bonds with Julio’s twenty-nine-year-old daughter Elena, a law student who is reeling from her father’s unexpected and preposterous death.
Three months later, she calls him out of the blue and suggests that the two of them drive to North Carolina to speak with another survivor like themselves Elena has found on the Internet. Their road trip is a darkly funny journey of healing that takes them deep into the heart of their grief and others’, and then beyond it, to a place of peace and laughter.
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2012
22 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Hillary Jordan
6 books1,331 followersHillary Jordan is the author of two novels: MUDBOUND and WHEN SHE WOKE, as well as the digital short "Aftermirth," all published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
MUDBOUND won the 2006 Bellwether Prize for fiction, founded by Barbara Kingsolver to recognize debut novels of social justice, and an Alex Award from the American Library Association. PASTE Magazine named it one of the Top 10 Debut Novels of the Decade, and it was a 2013 World Book Night selection.
WHEN SHE WOKE was one of BookPage’s Best Books of 2011. It was long-listed for the 2013 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and was a Lamda Award finalist.
Hillary's books have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, German, Serbian, Swedish, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazil), Turkish and Chinese (Taiwan and Hong Kong).
Hillary grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. She received her BA from Wellesley College and her MFA from Columbia University. She lives in Brooklyn, along with half the writers in America.
MUDBOUND won the 2006 Bellwether Prize for fiction, founded by Barbara Kingsolver to recognize debut novels of social justice, and an Alex Award from the American Library Association. PASTE Magazine named it one of the Top 10 Debut Novels of the Decade, and it was a 2013 World Book Night selection.
WHEN SHE WOKE was one of BookPage’s Best Books of 2011. It was long-listed for the 2013 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and was a Lamda Award finalist.
Hillary's books have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, German, Serbian, Swedish, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazil), Turkish and Chinese (Taiwan and Hong Kong).
Hillary grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. She received her BA from Wellesley College and her MFA from Columbia University. She lives in Brooklyn, along with half the writers in America.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 1, 2013
This is a very short book about with a lot to say about death, grieving and how we deal with both.And it is dark humor at it's absolute best.I am not generally a fan of dark humor, finding it to be nothing more than an excuse for the macabre with meanness at it's core. But this story takes it somewhere else entirely.
Michael Larssen is widowed, his beloved wife having been electrocuted by her underwire bra. I know,I know,bear with me. A successful comic, he finds he is no longer funny and struggles to make a new life for himself. After two years of being emotionally stuck, he comes across an article about a factory worker who was killed in a most tragic and absurd fashion.
He attempts to pay his respects, but is rebuffed at the funeral home. However he meets Elena, the daughter of the deceased and there is a brief bond.Some months later,she calls him unexpectedly and there commences an odd road trip of healing.
I loved this little book.
Michael Larssen is widowed, his beloved wife having been electrocuted by her underwire bra. I know,I know,bear with me. A successful comic, he finds he is no longer funny and struggles to make a new life for himself. After two years of being emotionally stuck, he comes across an article about a factory worker who was killed in a most tragic and absurd fashion.
He attempts to pay his respects, but is rebuffed at the funeral home. However he meets Elena, the daughter of the deceased and there is a brief bond.Some months later,she calls him unexpectedly and there commences an odd road trip of healing.
I loved this little book.
May 14, 2013
Hilary Jordan never disappoints.
January 7, 2013
Hysterical and heart touching. Loved this. You get attached to the characters from the get go.
August 9, 2022
Aftermirth by Hillary Jordan is a book about grief as the two protagonists take a road trip that is a darkly funny journey of healing that takes them deep into the heart of their suffering and others, and then beyond it, to a place of peace and laughter. I had just finished reading When She Woke by Ms. Jordan and having enjoyed that book, reading a second one by the same author seemed reasonable.
When I selected this short novel to read, I questioned if it was a good choice for me.
I found it easier to read and, in some ways, helpful. It was like meeting fellow widows from my Zoom grief groups in person at Camp Widow. The ability to laugh about our loss and cry openly is essential to meeting fellow benefits.
Michael Larssen, the narrator, raised a question I have not and still do not want to consider. What if I am still alive, Jan was a great love but is not the love of my life?
"You can't know that he was the love of your life, and do you know why? Because guess what, you aren't dead yet. You may feel dead right now, and believe me I've been there, but the fact is, until you're lying under a tombstone of your own you can't be sure about anything. You could prick your finger on one of your roses tomorrow, and as you're climbing the stairs to get a Band-Aid you trip over one of the pugs and tumble to your death. Or you could meet a man in the checkout line at the grocery store--hell, you could meet a woman even, and fall madly in love with her and end up with six kids and twenty grandkids. Michael looks over at Elena, then back at George. You just don't know, George. That's the thing. None of us does."— Aftermirth (Kindle Single) by Hillary Jordan
Despite my anxiety about considering this disturbing question, I highly recommend Aftermirth by Hillary Jordan.
The Goodreads summary provides an overview.
"I stopped being funny the day my wife was electrocuted by her underwire bra." So begins "Aftermirth," a dark comedy that explores the absurdity of death through the eyes of thirty-one-year-old comedian, writer, and actor Michael Larssen. What is funny to the rest of the world is devastating to Michael, who loves his wife deeply, exceptionally her bright, rippling, abandoned laughter, which captivated him from the first time he heard it. In the aftermath of her death, he loses his sense of humor and his career.
Then, after two years of mourning her, he sees an article in the paper about a factory worker named Julio Santiago who fell into a giant vat of dough and was kneaded to death. For reasons Michael doesn't understand, he decides to go to the man's wake. There he meets and bonds with Julio's twenty-nine-year-old daughter Elena, a law student who is reeling from her father's unexpected and preposterous death.
Three months later, she calls him out of the blue and suggests that the two of them drive to North Carolina to speak with another survivor like themselves Elena has found on the Internet. Their road trip is a darkly funny journey of healing that takes them deep into the heart of their grief and others and then beyond it to a place of peace and laughter.
When I selected this short novel to read, I questioned if it was a good choice for me.
I found it easier to read and, in some ways, helpful. It was like meeting fellow widows from my Zoom grief groups in person at Camp Widow. The ability to laugh about our loss and cry openly is essential to meeting fellow benefits.
Michael Larssen, the narrator, raised a question I have not and still do not want to consider. What if I am still alive, Jan was a great love but is not the love of my life?
"You can't know that he was the love of your life, and do you know why? Because guess what, you aren't dead yet. You may feel dead right now, and believe me I've been there, but the fact is, until you're lying under a tombstone of your own you can't be sure about anything. You could prick your finger on one of your roses tomorrow, and as you're climbing the stairs to get a Band-Aid you trip over one of the pugs and tumble to your death. Or you could meet a man in the checkout line at the grocery store--hell, you could meet a woman even, and fall madly in love with her and end up with six kids and twenty grandkids. Michael looks over at Elena, then back at George. You just don't know, George. That's the thing. None of us does."— Aftermirth (Kindle Single) by Hillary Jordan
Despite my anxiety about considering this disturbing question, I highly recommend Aftermirth by Hillary Jordan.
The Goodreads summary provides an overview.
"I stopped being funny the day my wife was electrocuted by her underwire bra." So begins "Aftermirth," a dark comedy that explores the absurdity of death through the eyes of thirty-one-year-old comedian, writer, and actor Michael Larssen. What is funny to the rest of the world is devastating to Michael, who loves his wife deeply, exceptionally her bright, rippling, abandoned laughter, which captivated him from the first time he heard it. In the aftermath of her death, he loses his sense of humor and his career.
Then, after two years of mourning her, he sees an article in the paper about a factory worker named Julio Santiago who fell into a giant vat of dough and was kneaded to death. For reasons Michael doesn't understand, he decides to go to the man's wake. There he meets and bonds with Julio's twenty-nine-year-old daughter Elena, a law student who is reeling from her father's unexpected and preposterous death.
Three months later, she calls him out of the blue and suggests that the two of them drive to North Carolina to speak with another survivor like themselves Elena has found on the Internet. Their road trip is a darkly funny journey of healing that takes them deep into the heart of their grief and others and then beyond it to a place of peace and laughter.
March 20, 2018
This is classified as a dark comedy. And, I guess it is. But, the truths it highlights about the process of grief is very visceral and real. But, it is very funny. Sometimes, being a widow, my bachelor son spend the night with me. After I turned the last page of this short book, in bed, I looked up to see my son standing at my bedroom door with a questioning look on his face. I had woke him up laughing.
July 3, 2019
Jordan does it again! A third book, totally different from her last two and just as engaging. A total surprise. Her dark humor is abundant...I revered it. Love humor and especially when it's dark. She hit the grief target right in the middle. The story was totally believable. Loved Izzy, the dog! The one thing I'm still puzzling over is the intermittent insertion of the "script" format for moving the plot along. Hmmm.... but otherwise a quick, satisfying read.
February 5, 2017
As always, Hillary Jordan's writing brings to life emotions, thoughts, and feelings that you weren't aware existed inside of you. This time she takes on death and sprinkles humor throughout so that you are left feeling comfortable and whole and glad you came along for the ride.
Nobody does layers to storytelling as subtly and as well as Ms. Jordan.
I wish it was longer.
Nobody does layers to storytelling as subtly and as well as Ms. Jordan.
I wish it was longer.
July 27, 2018
A short book that offers perspective on the unique impact that deaths of loved ones by unusual causes binds survivors together. It is ultimately about living after significant losses. Short is sweet.
January 25, 2023
I picked this because I love Hillary Jordan (Mudbound is fantastic!) but this is not typical for her. I didn't hate it. It's super short and I read it in just a couple of hours. It's quirky and funny, but it's just not that memorable.
October 6, 2025
First read by Hillary Jordan but certainly won’t be the last. She is clever, witty, and somehow makes the conversation of grief into something light-hearted while still emotional. This was a super quick 54 page read, but I enjoyed it from start to finish.
December 14, 2018
The opening didn’t thrill me, but I’m very glad I stuck with it through this very short book.
March 9, 2019
Fun. Actually laughed out loud a few times. Maybe I just like Hillary Jordan. Give her a shot. But you chuckle during this read a little as well.
July 7, 2020
short and weird funny
April 8, 2023
Great book about being human. Worth the time, just a quick read.
July 25, 2023
Really dated feeling in every way. I'd like to see this type of story re-written in a more modern and thoughtful way
September 20, 2013
This is the story of Michael, a comedian, and his utter sense of desolation when his wife dies in a seemingly comedic way when she is electrocuted via the underwiring of her bra. The story then goes on to tell of his journey to recovery via finding others who have lost their loved ones in seemingly funny ways (bread worker "kneaded" to death when he fell in a bread-making machine, & so on).
I liked reading this short story very much (although not as much as I enjoyed When She Woke by the same author, although they are of course completely different items of work and not really comparable). I particularly enjoyed the author's emphasis on the uncertainty of all of our lives "I had been granted a permanent mooring, a lifelong lease to wallow in Jessness. But permanent is a lie we tell ourselves and each other. And lifelong turned out to be less than four years." and "I'm just a passenger, zipping along toward God knows what fate - but then, so are you. You may think you know what's going to happen in my story or your own, but the truth is you don't have a clue. You're right here with me, off the map. Here, for all you know, there be dragons." I also liked Michael's words of comfort to George (who lost his lover) "You don't know that Shane was the love of your life [...]You can't know that he was the love of your life, and do you know why? Because guess what, you aren't dead yet...' Such wise words in a story which was as much life-affirming as it was about untimely death.
I also liked the style in which it was written with the frequent intermissions by Michael seeing his life as a scripted drama/comedy. It was an effective device to get to the heart of the character/reveal past actions and scenes which we were not permitted to see first hand.
A very clever short story, well worth reading, from a fantastic author.
I liked reading this short story very much (although not as much as I enjoyed When She Woke by the same author, although they are of course completely different items of work and not really comparable). I particularly enjoyed the author's emphasis on the uncertainty of all of our lives "I had been granted a permanent mooring, a lifelong lease to wallow in Jessness. But permanent is a lie we tell ourselves and each other. And lifelong turned out to be less than four years." and "I'm just a passenger, zipping along toward God knows what fate - but then, so are you. You may think you know what's going to happen in my story or your own, but the truth is you don't have a clue. You're right here with me, off the map. Here, for all you know, there be dragons." I also liked Michael's words of comfort to George (who lost his lover) "You don't know that Shane was the love of your life [...]You can't know that he was the love of your life, and do you know why? Because guess what, you aren't dead yet...' Such wise words in a story which was as much life-affirming as it was about untimely death.
I also liked the style in which it was written with the frequent intermissions by Michael seeing his life as a scripted drama/comedy. It was an effective device to get to the heart of the character/reveal past actions and scenes which we were not permitted to see first hand.
A very clever short story, well worth reading, from a fantastic author.
December 6, 2014
I downloaded this book from the library one night when I couldn't sleep because I remembered liking another book by the author. It's a short book, maybe more of a short story, but even in its few pages, the author creates real emotion and real characters. Its funny, but in a very dark way, as it is about grief and losing loved ones.
January 4, 2015
Hillary Jordan's range is pretty incredible. This was a short story, but completely different from her other two novels (which were both very different from each other). This was great writing, good story, quick read. If you are craving something by this author, it will do... but I'd still like her to wrote another full-length book.
February 19, 2015
I love Hillary Jordan's books and this one was no exception. I will admit that I didn't read it in one sitting (like the other books) but it was a really great short story.
Note to other readers - it is quite dark and macabre but done so with humor. It is an interesting perspective on death and grief and finally being honest and getting over it (and yourself).
Note to other readers - it is quite dark and macabre but done so with humor. It is an interesting perspective on death and grief and finally being honest and getting over it (and yourself).
June 11, 2015
Awkward....but......
Quite the storyline. Could have gone on longer - meeting all 10 friends/families and then ended in the same fashion. But, I think I will take away more forum the short story that it is rather than an extended version.
Enjoyable read. Awkward humor. Recommended.
Quite the storyline. Could have gone on longer - meeting all 10 friends/families and then ended in the same fashion. But, I think I will take away more forum the short story that it is rather than an extended version.
Enjoyable read. Awkward humor. Recommended.
November 3, 2012
A super short book about people whose family members died in weird circumstances (electrocuted by underwire bra?) and how this causes them to be able to relate to each other. Entertaining.
July 7, 2013
Very short story about people dealing with their grief about loved ones who died under unusual circumstances. All dark humor that made me both laugh and cry.
March 31, 2014
Touching and provocative. It's a very short story about a man whose wife dies in a freak accident, and how he finds peace.
March 29, 2014
One of the rare books where you wish it wouldn't end, and when it does, the characters stay with you.
June 15, 2014
short but sweet
June 7, 2015
Enjoyable, quick read on a seemingly grim topic, but it somehow finds the light.
April 10, 2016
How a loved one dies shapes survivors' grief. This describes some stranger shapes. +Anger; +Alienation; Alas; the last few pages: rot.
July 7, 2016
A quick, quirky read. Quite humorous in spots.
June 1, 2014
An enjoyable, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews