The Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X.R. Pan
The Astonishing Color of After cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Magical Realism
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  • ID: 3665
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780316463997
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Published: 2018-03-20
  • Reviews: 4

Leigh Chen Sanders, a biracial teenager, embarks on a journey to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents and uncover the truth about her mother's suicide. As she navigates her grief, Leigh discovers family secrets and forges a new relationship with her grandparents, all while trying to reconcile her mother's death with a life-changing kiss from her best friend. The novel alternates between the real and the magical, past and present, weaving a tapestry of hope and despair. /n/nWritten with heart-wrenching beauty and candor, 'The Astonishing Color of After' is a stunning exploration of identity, culture, and the complex spectrum of love and grief. The book has been recognized as an APALA Honor Book and a Walter Award Honor Book, highlighting its significant impact and resonance with readers.

Reviews
Allie Reads · 2020-04-16
engaging 4.50

The reviewer highlights the deeply empathetic characters and the delicate balance between teenage romance and the powerful message about coping with grief and loss.

This review emphasizes the deeply empathetic characters and the skillful balance between teenage romance and the profound message about coping with grief and loss. The reviewer appreciates how the story manages to intertwine these elements seamlessly, creating a rich and engaging narrative. They find the exploration of these themes to be both powerful and relatable, making the book a standout read.

Quick quotes

    Deeply empathetic characters and a delicate balance between teenage romance/angst and a powerful message about coping with grief/loss.

    The story manages to intertwine these elements seamlessly.

    The exploration of these themes is both powerful and relatable.

Haley's Book Haven · Haley · 2019-02-16
moving 4.50

The book is beautifully written, but it may not be suitable for those sensitive to topics of suicide and mental illness. It is one of the most moving and impactful stories on these subjects.

Haley's Book Haven highlights the profound emotional depth of the book, noting its lyrical and magical writing style. The story delves into complex themes of suicide and mental illness, which may be challenging for some readers. However, the reviewer finds it to be one of the most impactful and moving narratives on these topics, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    If you're sensitive to topics of suicide and mental illness, then this probably isn't the book for you.

    However, this is one of the most moving and impactful stories on these subjects.

    The writing in this book is stunning and beautifully magical.

Melt to the Any · Melt to the Any · 2018-05-23
powerful 4.75

The book is one of the most beautiful and powerful stories, touching the reader deeply. It is moving, poignant, and lyrical.

Melt to the Any describes the book as one of the most beautiful and powerful stories they have ever read. The reviewer is deeply moved by the lyrical and poignant narrative, which explores themes of grief, identity, and family. The story is praised for its emotional resonance and the way it touches the reader on a profound level. The reviewer highlights the importance of the book's themes and its ability to stay with the reader long after finishing it.

Quick quotes

    This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read in my entire life.

    It's powerful, moving, poignant, lyrical, important, and touched me deeply.

    The story explores themes of grief, identity, and family in a deeply resonant way.

Girl in the Pages · Cristina · 2018-05-07
moving 4.00

The book is described as both beautiful and tragic, portraying grief and healing in equal measure. The reviewer appreciates the balance between these elements.

Cristina finds the book to be a poignant blend of beauty and tragedy, perfectly capturing the complexities of grief and healing. She appreciates how the story navigates these themes with a delicate balance, making it a deeply emotional and moving experience. Cristina's review suggests that the book's ability to portray such profound emotions is one of its greatest strengths.

Quick quotes

    The Astonishing Color of After is a book that's equal part beautiful and tragic.

    It portrays grief and healing in equal measure.

    The story navigates these themes with a delicate balance.

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