The After

by Megan Schulze

What happens to you after you die? Elsie Jensen is about to find out.

When she awakes in the afterlife, Elsie is introduced to The After. It’s a place where she can reunite with other people who have passed, relive the fondest moments of her life, and keep an eye on her family. But, it is also a place where she must make a gut-wrenching choice that forces her to reconcile painful parts of her past. As she grapples with her dilemma, Elsie learns that her three daughters are now struggling in a world without their mom. As she confronts her own crisis in The After, Elsie must also battle to save her kids’ lives.

283 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2021

Reviews

[Robin]

I think I would have enjoyed it more if the main character was a little more likable. Elsie, at times, seemed self absorbed and acted like the world (or at least the “After”) revolved around her.

The ending felt rushed. I found the lives of the sisters to be much more interesting than that of Elsie. I think if the book would have been really great if it had been just about the sisters.

I really wanted to like this a lot after watching Stephanie review it on Booktok but it fell a little flat for me. Gabrielle Zevin’s “Elsewhere” is one of my favorite books and it just had a little bit more magic that I was hoping to find in “The After”.

It’s a solid 3.5 stars (rounded down because of the typos!)

[Stephanie]

This was such an amazing story! I feel so grateful that the author personally reached out to me and wanted to share their book with me.

The way death and the afterlife are described in this book is so beautiful and..fair? Meaning, it didn’t lean toward any particular belief system and I really enjoyed that. It wasn’t preachy or shameful. It was just beautiful.

I cried many times while reading this one. (Some moments really surprised me to tears) and I thought the ending was so sweet and beautiful. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

[Hannah]

I absolutely loved this book, such a heartfelt story with a beautiful concept and engaging characters. I found myself wondering which direction it was going to go, but it kept me guessing and had me tearing up at several points. I’m also a sucker for stories about mothers and daughters / sibling dynamics, and loved how this explored the different relationships of the characters. A feel good read that I couldn’t put down!

[Hannah]

I am dnfing this book. I’m halfway and keep delaying picking it up. So I think it’s time…

This book is just so one dimensional to me. It feels like it should be good- the prose is okay, the plot is a great idea… but it’s so lackluster I couldn’t keep going. Maybe I’ll pick it up some time down the line. But for now, I’m relieved to have it done

[Melanie]

absolutely charming story, brought me to tears, and when trying to explain to plot I actually teared up again. I was wondering where is would go the entire book, and it left me feeling warm and fuzzy.

[Lily Kilventon]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story of a recently deceased mother and her bond with her daughters on earth. Each character gets a storyline and development. The whole plot and story was really original! And I was so happy with the ending. Good bookclub read!

[Shannon Smith]

Beautiful book. Not usually my genre, but I really loved the story and all the perspectives. Be prepared to cry!

[Jen Thompson]

What an interesting take on life after death. I loved every moment of it.

[Molly Pankok]

What a wonderful vision of what the afterlife could be!! I really connected with this story, with the characters, and with this “all are welcome” vibe. Why can’t we all be right?!?

Reminded me a bit of “The Good Place”, which is a dream of a television program, of course. This is a refreshingly feel-good grief read. I definitely recommend!

[Misty Tircuit]

good, not great

This story pulls at your heart strings, especially if you’ve lost a parent. But, it reads similar to a self help fiction, like “The Energy Bus.”

[Mandi Serrett]

Overall not a bad read. Found it to be boring at times and the plot twists got annoying. Lots of typos. The ending literally had me asking “that’s it”?

[Aimee]

Great book!

[Stephanie]

I really wish I liked this more as the first 30 or so pages sucked me in with a scenario of what one might experience immediately after death. The middle dragged too much for me and it all became too hokey.

[Jessica McKinley]

Interesting concept and great execution of said concept. I thoroughly enjoyed how thought provoking it was.