Afterlife
Afterlife by Julia Alvarez, published by Algonquin Books on April 6, 2021, is a poignant exploration of loss and resilience. This edition spans 288 pages and is presented in English. The narrative centers on Antonia Vega, an immigrant writer who faces profound upheaval following the sudden death of her husband, Sam. As she navigates her grief, she also grapples with the disappearance of her sister and the unexpected arrival of a pregnant, undocumented teenager at her doorstep, prompting her to confront the complexities of family and community.
Readers will find that Afterlife delves into themes of family life and the challenges of living in a fractured world. Antonia’s journey is marked by her reliance on literature, which serves as a backdrop to her struggles and reflections. The novel poses critical questions about our responsibilities to those in crisis, both within our families and the broader human community. Through its sharp and insightful prose, this work invites contemplation on how to maintain faith in one another amid adversity.
Official synopsis Publisher
A Time Magazine Must-Read Book of 2020
A Most-Anticipated Book of the Year: O, The Oprah Magazine * The New York Times * The Washington Post *Vogue * Bustle * BuzzFeed * Ms. magazine * The Millions * Huffington Post * PopSugar * The Lily * Goodreads * Library Journal * LitHub * Electric Literature
The first adult novel in almost fifteen years by the internationally bestselling author of In the Time of the Butterflies and How the García Girls Lost Their Accents
“A stunning work of art that reminds readers Alvarez is, and always has been, in a class of her own.” —Elizabeth Acevedo, National Book Award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller The Poet X
Antonia Vega, the immigrant writer at the center of Afterlife, has had the rug pulled out from under her. She has just retired from the college where she taught English when her beloved husband, Sam, suddenly dies. And then more jolts: her bighearted but unstable sister disappears, and Antonia returns home one evening to find a pregnant, undocumented teenager on her doorstep. Antonia has always sought direction in the literature she loves—lines from her favorite authors play in her head like a soundtrack—but now she finds that the world demands more of her than words.
Afterlife is a compact, nimble, and sharply droll novel. Set in this political moment of tribalism and distrust, it asks: What do we owe those in crisis in our families, including—maybe especially—members of our human family? How do we live in a broken world without losing faith in one another or ourselves? And how do we stay true to those glorious souls we have lost?
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Afterlife” about?
Who is the author of “Afterlife”?
When was “Afterlife” published?
What is the ISBN for “Afterlife”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
