The Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X.R. Pan
The Astonishing Color of After cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Magical Realism
Technical
  • ID: 3665
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9780316463997
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Published: 2018-03-20
  • Reviews: 3

The Astonishing Color of After is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexities of grief, love, and family. Leigh Chen Sanders, a biracial teenager, embarks on a journey to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time, driven by the belief that her mother has transformed into a bird after her suicide. As Leigh navigates her new surroundings and family history, she uncovers profound secrets and forges a deeper connection with her grandparents. The novel alternates between the real and the magical, the past and the present, and ultimately, it's a story about finding oneself through art, grief, and love. /n/nThe book is praised for its heart-wrenching beauty and candor, making it a standout debut that resonates with readers. It's a perfect read for fans of Jandy Nelson and Celeste Ng, offering a unique blend of contemporary and magical realism that will leave a lasting impact.

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.

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.

Rich in Color · 2018-03-30
beautiful 4.50

The book is praised for its beautiful exploration of love, family, and grief, with Leigh being an unforgettable character. The reviewer highlights the depth and emotional resonance of the story.

This review highlights the book's incredible beauty in exploring complex themes like love, family, and grief. The reviewer is particularly struck by the character of Leigh, who is described as unforgettable. They appreciate the way the story delves into these emotional landscapes, making it a deeply moving read. The reviewer also mentions how the book's themes resonate long after finishing it, making it a memorable experience.

Quick quotes

    This is an incredibly beautiful book exploring love, family, grief, and so much more.

    Leigh is an unforgettable character.

    The way the story delves into these emotional landscapes is truly remarkable.

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