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After Black
Recently widowed Janet is a dark and embittered woman with a troubled past. Determined to throw off memories of her life with deceased husband, Frank, in the new year of 1990, she returns to her beloved job within the soft furnishing department of Masons retail store, to forge a new life for herself safe behind the mask of customer service.
But Janet’s newfound happiness is soon threatened by a feisty young co-worker in the form of Marian whom she loathes. Sparks fly between the two women and they are forced to go head to head for a management position to gain the upper hand. When a triumphant Janet wins, their tempestuous relationship intensifies, which ultimately forces Janet to confront her own past and the death of her husband. She soon needs to recruit family and friends to help resolve a painful decision she made in her youth which shadowed the whole of her married life, as well as keep herself out of prison!
As she fears losing control, her antagonistic relationship with Marian escalates and proves to be more challenging than Janet could ever imagine. Will Janet be able to face her own demons? And what will her future hold?
But Janet’s newfound happiness is soon threatened by a feisty young co-worker in the form of Marian whom she loathes. Sparks fly between the two women and they are forced to go head to head for a management position to gain the upper hand. When a triumphant Janet wins, their tempestuous relationship intensifies, which ultimately forces Janet to confront her own past and the death of her husband. She soon needs to recruit family and friends to help resolve a painful decision she made in her youth which shadowed the whole of her married life, as well as keep herself out of prison!
As she fears losing control, her antagonistic relationship with Marian escalates and proves to be more challenging than Janet could ever imagine. Will Janet be able to face her own demons? And what will her future hold?
- GenresFiction
465 pages, ebook
Published November 30, 2019
5 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Fisher
3 books39 followersA writer who is passionate about exploring what it means to be human, who is an artist, a nature lover, and who shares her life with her soul mate and a cat.
Lynne was born in Durham City in 1962. After moving to the Scottish Borders in 1998 she rekindled her love of art, becoming an artist, tutor and illustrator, before going on to study with the Open University as a mature student. Here, she gained a first class honours degree in the Humanities, with Literature and Art History, before going on to do a diploma in creative writing . Literary fiction is her writing style.
On Turtle Beach is her debut novel, inspired by a fascination with the nature of sibling bonds and the exotic setting of Dalyan in Turkey. This was followed by After Black, which draws upon the retail world of the eighties/nineties and life inside a department store to explore, through the central character, the need to come to terms with a difficult past of shadows to enable moving into the light of personal growth.
Writer and reviewer Lauren Sapala expresses well the essence of After Black :
‘A profound exploration of how the political becomes personal for women, After Black is an incisive and nuanced portrait of one woman’s experience with abuse, oppression, and, ultimately, transformation.’
She is currently working on her third book, a novel about the struggle of midlife changes dramatised through her central character, Jim, and the characters he comes in contact with in a fictional town, and an accompanying memoir of her own experiences on this theme.
If interested in Lynne's creative process, here is a link to an in-depth interview she did with another writer and artist creative, Ritu Kaushal.
Interview with Lynne: https://bit.ly/2lt8zbc
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 8, 2019
From the moment this book opened onto the first scene, I knew I was going to love it. The level of subtle detail that shows us exactly what the main character is feeling, how she navigates her world, what psychologically imprisons her, all the dark undercurrents working in her mind, is so beautifully crafted that you hardly know that you’re being carried along into the thick of the story until you’re there and you realize you’ve been irresistibly drawn in. THAT is the kind of writing I ADORE and this novel delivered it on every point for me.
We meet our complex protagonist, recently widowed and middle-aged Janet, in that opening scene and we immediately see that she is controlled, capable, and possessed of an iron will. She is compared a couple of times to looking like Joan Crawford, which I loved because I actually already had that image in my mind before the author explicitly stated it. Janet is THAT kind of woman. A complete powerhouse. You can’t imagine anyone who would choose to get in her way. But very quickly we meet the woman who DOES choose to get in her way and the fireworks start shortly thereafter.
It’s quite a testament to the author’s skill that the reader gets so caught up in the drama between these two women that we almost miss the deeper storyline, developing right underneath our nose. Janet’s ruthless exterior hides an astounding truth that not even she is willing to see about herself, a truth that is linked to her shadowy past and has twisting, dysfunctional roots that go back to her teenage years. This novel is not an easy-breezy read by any standard, it is as richly layered, intriguing and complex as all the best literary fiction is, but it also drives you to turn the pages because of the good old-fashioned mystery elements the author employs so well.
I also really loved that Janet was so REAL as a main character. She’s not a beautiful girl-next-door teenager who is also a badass warrior starring in the latest YA novel. She’s a regular woman with a regular job who is going through the regular process of aging and loss and reflection and confusion that hits all of us at one point or another. I find that women over 35 are far too underrepresented in fiction these days. Janet was a breath of fresh air on this front.
I highly recommend After Black to anyone who loves well-written literary fiction, feminist literature, contemporary fiction, mystery and suspense, and complex fiction with elements of romance. This was a superb read.
We meet our complex protagonist, recently widowed and middle-aged Janet, in that opening scene and we immediately see that she is controlled, capable, and possessed of an iron will. She is compared a couple of times to looking like Joan Crawford, which I loved because I actually already had that image in my mind before the author explicitly stated it. Janet is THAT kind of woman. A complete powerhouse. You can’t imagine anyone who would choose to get in her way. But very quickly we meet the woman who DOES choose to get in her way and the fireworks start shortly thereafter.
It’s quite a testament to the author’s skill that the reader gets so caught up in the drama between these two women that we almost miss the deeper storyline, developing right underneath our nose. Janet’s ruthless exterior hides an astounding truth that not even she is willing to see about herself, a truth that is linked to her shadowy past and has twisting, dysfunctional roots that go back to her teenage years. This novel is not an easy-breezy read by any standard, it is as richly layered, intriguing and complex as all the best literary fiction is, but it also drives you to turn the pages because of the good old-fashioned mystery elements the author employs so well.
I also really loved that Janet was so REAL as a main character. She’s not a beautiful girl-next-door teenager who is also a badass warrior starring in the latest YA novel. She’s a regular woman with a regular job who is going through the regular process of aging and loss and reflection and confusion that hits all of us at one point or another. I find that women over 35 are far too underrepresented in fiction these days. Janet was a breath of fresh air on this front.
I highly recommend After Black to anyone who loves well-written literary fiction, feminist literature, contemporary fiction, mystery and suspense, and complex fiction with elements of romance. This was a superb read.
August 23, 2020
Does Life Begin After Widowhood?
In some cases, this is true. Janet blossoms after a cowed existence, but all isn’t well. Her memories of Frank, her husband, dying can be pushed aside, but there is an upstart in her workplace. Marian is driven and wants the same promotion that would make Janet’s life at Masons Retail Store complete. Hence, Janet pulls all stops and wins. Does this change her life for the better? Not for a while. Janet must confront her demons and face her past.
In After Black, Lynne Fisher challenges the reader with a protagonist it is difficult to like. That it doesn’t stay that way is down to a masterly plot. Not only that, but all the characters must also learn and grow through unwanted and – for the reader as for the dramatis personae – unexpected developments. Ms Fisher kept me at the edge of my chair throughout this brilliantly written novel that explores love and loss, abusive and painful relationships, as well as the possibility of redemption. Anybody reading this will gain insight into the machinations that can mar or make humanity.
In some cases, this is true. Janet blossoms after a cowed existence, but all isn’t well. Her memories of Frank, her husband, dying can be pushed aside, but there is an upstart in her workplace. Marian is driven and wants the same promotion that would make Janet’s life at Masons Retail Store complete. Hence, Janet pulls all stops and wins. Does this change her life for the better? Not for a while. Janet must confront her demons and face her past.
In After Black, Lynne Fisher challenges the reader with a protagonist it is difficult to like. That it doesn’t stay that way is down to a masterly plot. Not only that, but all the characters must also learn and grow through unwanted and – for the reader as for the dramatis personae – unexpected developments. Ms Fisher kept me at the edge of my chair throughout this brilliantly written novel that explores love and loss, abusive and painful relationships, as well as the possibility of redemption. Anybody reading this will gain insight into the machinations that can mar or make humanity.
March 1, 2020
Janet is 54 years old and is not a very likeable character. She has just lost her husband. BUT, don't toss this book aside just yet! There is a very good and viable reason Janet is what she is. Janet has a bad attitude due to verbal and physical abuse from her husband and also her mother. Keep reading, as Janet will not be the same person towards the end of the book. There are some surprises coming. My only regret is...... I wished for more at the end.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
March 17, 2020
I won this book from Goodreads. After Janet's husband dies she returns to her safe place selling furniture and is happy until a new lady starts working and they a competing for a coveted position. Janet wins, but it brings up bad memories.
I'd definitely recommend this book.
I'd definitely recommend this book.
April 27, 2020
Thank you to Lynne Fisher and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
What a story ! I loved every minute of it. It's a story about people doing what they should, then doing what they want when the stars align, she was given the gift of a second chance and she used it to her full advantage. She makes amends with her present and her past and somehow the coincided. Took awhile to get through but it was a good overall pace and easy to read. I so wish this book resolved Joe also !
What a story ! I loved every minute of it. It's a story about people doing what they should, then doing what they want when the stars align, she was given the gift of a second chance and she used it to her full advantage. She makes amends with her present and her past and somehow the coincided. Took awhile to get through but it was a good overall pace and easy to read. I so wish this book resolved Joe also !
April 14, 2020
After Black.
Lynne Fisher chose the comfortable setting of a traditional, upmarket department store for this easy-to-read novel. Her descriptions throughout are thorough and convincing, with great attention to detail, indicating that a lot of background research went into the writing. In the lavish work environment of soft furnishings, amidst swathes of designer curtains, Lynne paints a realistic picture of the typical gossip and downright bitchiness among some of the staff, perhaps giving just a flavour of the TV series ‘Are You Being Served.’
Janet, the main character, comes across, initially, as an uptight, stern and razor-sharp woman, wearing black since she is newly widowed, but yet not grieving. The story unfolds with unexpected complications, coincidences and much intrigue, as Janet gradually undergoes a complete metamorphosis into a more balanced and mellow human being. The changes in her personality are assisted by unlikely friends, cleverly reflected in her ‘after black’ choice of clothing and keenly sensed by Thomas, her cat.
Without giving away too much, there is considerable depth to the tale as serious issues like domestic abuse, adoption and even suspected murder are woven expertly into the story. There are interesting tinges of dark drama throughout, amidst the minor workplace squabbles.
I enjoyed this book with its plethora of twists and turns and have no hesitation in recommending it. Finally, let me say that it completely confirmed my dislike of garden gnomes, but you’ll just have to read it to find out why.
Lynne Fisher chose the comfortable setting of a traditional, upmarket department store for this easy-to-read novel. Her descriptions throughout are thorough and convincing, with great attention to detail, indicating that a lot of background research went into the writing. In the lavish work environment of soft furnishings, amidst swathes of designer curtains, Lynne paints a realistic picture of the typical gossip and downright bitchiness among some of the staff, perhaps giving just a flavour of the TV series ‘Are You Being Served.’
Janet, the main character, comes across, initially, as an uptight, stern and razor-sharp woman, wearing black since she is newly widowed, but yet not grieving. The story unfolds with unexpected complications, coincidences and much intrigue, as Janet gradually undergoes a complete metamorphosis into a more balanced and mellow human being. The changes in her personality are assisted by unlikely friends, cleverly reflected in her ‘after black’ choice of clothing and keenly sensed by Thomas, her cat.
Without giving away too much, there is considerable depth to the tale as serious issues like domestic abuse, adoption and even suspected murder are woven expertly into the story. There are interesting tinges of dark drama throughout, amidst the minor workplace squabbles.
I enjoyed this book with its plethora of twists and turns and have no hesitation in recommending it. Finally, let me say that it completely confirmed my dislike of garden gnomes, but you’ll just have to read it to find out why.
February 12, 2020
I couldn't get through the first chapter. The writing style is elementary and reminds me of middle school English class. The author jammed in as many descriptive words as possible and comes across as a juvenile attempt at eloquence.
The plot is a petty rivalry between two adult female coworkers that is painfully outdated. "Ew she shows her cleavage, wears perfume, and has career ambitions. Let's hate her." It's 2020 folks. This type of attitude and behavior is what perpetuates the oppression of women and minorities. Wake up and consider producing content that portrays us empowering each other.
This is my personal opinion, I feel no ill will to the author or those who enjoy the book. Just not my cup of tea.
The plot is a petty rivalry between two adult female coworkers that is painfully outdated. "Ew she shows her cleavage, wears perfume, and has career ambitions. Let's hate her." It's 2020 folks. This type of attitude and behavior is what perpetuates the oppression of women and minorities. Wake up and consider producing content that portrays us empowering each other.
This is my personal opinion, I feel no ill will to the author or those who enjoy the book. Just not my cup of tea.
January 22, 2020
Excellent book!!
February 15, 2020
Enjoyed the storyline and read
April 14, 2020
I won this book on Goodreads after reading after reading you are supposed to review the book. I had to make myself read this book a chapter a night most of the book is boring but after the middle the main character Janet starts changing and becoming interesting.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews