Afterlife
Afterlife
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Brief
Beta256
Novel • Fiction
Vermont • 2010s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Afterlife, person Antonía Vega navigates life after her husband's death while confronting familial responsibilities and unexpected new connections. As a retired English professor, she finds solace in literature and nature, facing challenges that compel her to explore identity and resilience. The novel intertwines themes of grief, immigration, and renewal.
Contemplative
Emotional
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
19,854 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Afterlife by Julia Alvarez is praised for its lyrical prose and exploration of grief, identity, and immigration. Readers appreciate the depth of character development and the novel’s emotional resonance. Some critiques note a slow pace and predictability. Overall, the book is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling and Alvarez's ability to weave complex themes into a compelling narrative.
Who Should Read Afterlife?
Readers who appreciate Afterlife by Julia Alvarez are typically drawn to themes of identity, loss, and cultural assimilation. Fans of Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street and Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits will enjoy Alvarez’s poignant storytelling and nuanced exploration of immigrant experiences.
19,854 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Novel • Fiction
Vermont • 2010s
2020
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!