What Comes After A Novel
What Comes After A Novel by JoAnne Tompkins is a poignant exploration of grief and human connection, published by Penguin on April 5, 2022. This 432-page novel unfolds in the misty coastal region of Washington State, where the tragic death of two teenage boys disrupts a community. The story centers on Isaac, a father mourning his son, and Lorrie, a single mother grappling with her own family’s turmoil, as they navigate their intertwined lives following the unexpected arrival of a mysterious pregnant girl.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of forgiveness and redemption, as the characters confront their pasts and the impact of loss. Evangeline’s presence serves as a catalyst for change, prompting Isaac and Lorrie to reassess their lives and relationships. What Comes After presents a compelling blend of mystery and emotional depth, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of family life and the bonds that can form in the wake of tragedy.
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Runner Up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize
Finalist for the Washington State Book Award
Edgar Prize Finalist for Best Debut Novel by an American Author
Shortlisted for the Prix Libre Nous, Best Foreign Book in French Translation
New York Times, Group Text Pick for April 2021
New York Times Editor’s Choice Pick
Named a top beach read of summer by Oprah Daily, Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal, and more
“Nail-biting wallop of a debut . . . a thoughtful, unexpectedly optimistic tale.” —The New York Times
“If you enjoyed The Searcher by Tana French, read What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins. . . . a mystery—and a gritty meditation on loss and redemption, drenched in stillness and grief.” —The Washington Post
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 tragedy but inspiring a new kind of family.
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