Plot Summary

After This

Alice McDermott
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After This

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997

Book Brief

Alice McDermott

After This

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1997
Book Details
Pages

279

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York Suburbs • 1940s-70s

Theme
Publication Year

1997

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

After This by Alice McDermott follows the Keane family of Long Island, focusing on parents Mary and John and their four children as they come of age during the 1960s, exploring themes of faith, family dynamics, and societal change as the children navigate academic challenges, personal losses, and the cultural upheavals of the era, ultimately highlighting their resilience and growth. The novel contains sensitive topics such as alcohol dependency and unexpected pregnancy.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.7

4,614 ratings

48%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Alice McDermott's After This earns praise for its lyrical prose and evocative depiction of post-WWII American life. Critics commend the deep emotional resonance and finely drawn characters, though some note the narrative's slow pace. The novel's exploration of family dynamics and loss is both heartwarming and melancholic, offering a richly layered reading experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read After This?

Readers who enjoy nuanced, character-driven narratives and intricate explorations of family dynamics in post-WWII America will appreciate After This by Alice McDermott. Comparable to fans of Richard Yates's Revolutionary Road or Anne Tyler's The Amateur Marriage, this book offers a reflective examination of ordinary lives marked by profound personal change.

3.7

4,614 ratings

48%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

279

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York Suburbs • 1940s-70s

Theme
Publication Year

1997

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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