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After
Nominated for the Governor General's Literary Awards 2005, (Children's Literature, Text)
Fifteen-year-old Francis’s father has committed suicide and nothing will be the same again. Suicide is ugly, unglamorous, and it is never a solution. Its aftermath is dreadful.
At first, Francis feels a terrible guilt. Could he have been a better son? What if he hadn’t left his home in Montreal to go on a brief holiday in New York the weekend it happened? Soon the guilt turns to anger and then to a sadness so profound that he thinks he can’t bear it.
After is the map of a year following the suicide of a family member. In the course of months, with the love of his mother, with counseling, and with the balm of time, Francis takes his first steps toward coming to terms with his father’s – and his family’s – tragedy. After is intensely personal, but it will resonate with anyone who has faced the loss of a loved one.
This brilliant autobiographical first novel is an acute analysis of the grieving process. Although it is steeped in Francis’s sadness, it is ultimately a story of hope.
Fifteen-year-old Francis’s father has committed suicide and nothing will be the same again. Suicide is ugly, unglamorous, and it is never a solution. Its aftermath is dreadful.
At first, Francis feels a terrible guilt. Could he have been a better son? What if he hadn’t left his home in Montreal to go on a brief holiday in New York the weekend it happened? Soon the guilt turns to anger and then to a sadness so profound that he thinks he can’t bear it.
After is the map of a year following the suicide of a family member. In the course of months, with the love of his mother, with counseling, and with the balm of time, Francis takes his first steps toward coming to terms with his father’s – and his family’s – tragedy. After is intensely personal, but it will resonate with anyone who has faced the loss of a loved one.
This brilliant autobiographical first novel is an acute analysis of the grieving process. Although it is steeped in Francis’s sadness, it is ultimately a story of hope.
133 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2005
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73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 30, 2010
Saat seseorang memutuskan untuk mengakhiri hidupnya, pernahkah terbersit dalam pikirannya bagaimana orang-orang yang menyayangi dirinya menjalani hidup setelah Ia tiada?
April 15, 2018
I can relate to most things that Francis felt, but unfortunately the translation just didn't work for me. So 3.5 out of 5 stars for this book.
April 4, 2011
Kenapa buku anak/remaja sering kali bertutur tentang kematian ya? Mungkin bagi anak-anak/remaja, kematian adalah hal yang begitu jauh dan rasanya tidak mungkin terjadi atau menyentuh kehidupan mereka. Sehingga ketika kematian benar-benar datang, hidup terasa bagai neraka. Apalagi jika orang yang meninggalkan mereka pergi begitu saja, hanya menyisakan tanya serta penyesalan yang menjungkirbalikkan perasaan.
Tapi ya wajarlah, saya juga mellow berbulan-bulan setelah ditinggal ibu.
Dalam buku ini saya sama sekali nggak simpati sama ayah Luc yang memilih jalan mudah untuk mengakhiri kesulitannya, tanpa memikirkan perasaan orang-orang yang dia tinggalkan. Sekali lagi, mati itu mudah, namun hidup adalah perjuangan.
Kutipan favorit:
"Saat tiba giliranmu menjadi teman yang baik bagi seseorang yang sedang kesulitan, dengarkan saja. Lupakan kata-kata. Kata-kata bisa menjadi lebih buruk daripada tidak berguna."
Tapi ya wajarlah, saya juga mellow berbulan-bulan setelah ditinggal ibu.
Dalam buku ini saya sama sekali nggak simpati sama ayah Luc yang memilih jalan mudah untuk mengakhiri kesulitannya, tanpa memikirkan perasaan orang-orang yang dia tinggalkan. Sekali lagi, mati itu mudah, namun hidup adalah perjuangan.
Kutipan favorit:
"Saat tiba giliranmu menjadi teman yang baik bagi seseorang yang sedang kesulitan, dengarkan saja. Lupakan kata-kata. Kata-kata bisa menjadi lebih buruk daripada tidak berguna."
July 20, 2007
Tema yang cukup berbeda dari teenlit biasa, tapi.. tokoh utamanya (Luc) kan cowok, cuma kok penuturannya kayak cewek ya?? Saya bacanya jadi ngebayang dia itu cewek bukan cowok, karena penulis kayaknya kurang jeli menggambarkan emosi cowok.
January 17, 2020
What is the worst sorrow anyone could experience? Easy, losing a loved one to a situation that completely out of your hands. But, it is not the absence of their presence that is missed; it is the presence of their true being that is constantly thought of. Such as their personality (the way the use to laugh), constants (always leaving their slippers under the couch after watching tv), and the influence they bad on you. The novel, After by Francis Chalifour, clearly exhibits the consequences of losing a loved one, his father, to the most appalling death, suicide.
In the novel, Francis, the main protagonist, is put through a huge change in character development. Before the shift in character change, Francis was portrayed as a the average fifteen year old teenager. He enjoyed spending quality time with his friends and family and worked diligently in school. Before the Francis’ mood shift, I could relate to him on many levels. We both enjoy spending time with family and friends and also both work well in the school setting. In fact, I believe that he could relate to many other teenagers his age before the huge impact on his character.
After the huge impact on his life, Francis begins to lose all emotions and connections with those around him. Also, he starts to reflect on the all previous instances before his death and questions if he could do anything differently than that would keep him alive. I believe that Francis had put too much stress on himself which will ultimately drive him insane if he realizes that he has done everything he could have done to please and satisfy his father. This part of the novel made me feel helpless because I was incapable of helping Francis understand the truth. I also believe that moving on will be difficult, but it is the only option Francis can make in order to escape the mindset that he has put himself into after the tragedy.
After reading this novel, I would recommend it for anyone and everyone. The book’s plot of having a loved one can relate to some or even a handful of people but, the idea of growing up as a teenager with a large negative impact can relate to almost anyone that is or was a teenager. The novel also shows a huge character change that Francis experiences after his father’s death. This character change is something that I found interesting to follow as the days pass from his father’s passing and I would think that other readers would enjoy following Francis’ character change and development.
In the novel, Francis, the main protagonist, is put through a huge change in character development. Before the shift in character change, Francis was portrayed as a the average fifteen year old teenager. He enjoyed spending quality time with his friends and family and worked diligently in school. Before the Francis’ mood shift, I could relate to him on many levels. We both enjoy spending time with family and friends and also both work well in the school setting. In fact, I believe that he could relate to many other teenagers his age before the huge impact on his character.
After the huge impact on his life, Francis begins to lose all emotions and connections with those around him. Also, he starts to reflect on the all previous instances before his death and questions if he could do anything differently than that would keep him alive. I believe that Francis had put too much stress on himself which will ultimately drive him insane if he realizes that he has done everything he could have done to please and satisfy his father. This part of the novel made me feel helpless because I was incapable of helping Francis understand the truth. I also believe that moving on will be difficult, but it is the only option Francis can make in order to escape the mindset that he has put himself into after the tragedy.
After reading this novel, I would recommend it for anyone and everyone. The book’s plot of having a loved one can relate to some or even a handful of people but, the idea of growing up as a teenager with a large negative impact can relate to almost anyone that is or was a teenager. The novel also shows a huge character change that Francis experiences after his father’s death. This character change is something that I found interesting to follow as the days pass from his father’s passing and I would think that other readers would enjoy following Francis’ character change and development.
October 20, 2021
Wow, it makes me want to worship Dan, ok he gets stabbed in the back and no one cares for his wife after the five minutes is over but all I see is all Dan's people working in the background so hard and spending their precious time effort and money to keep him entertained with brilliant pieces of literature. Dan knows that he is loved for the full
group effort but unfortunately he might waste his time on himself and write the occasional thing to that desperate battlers he called friends. ✌
group effort but unfortunately he might waste his time on himself and write the occasional thing to that desperate battlers he called friends. ✌
January 5, 2023
This book had a very boring start for me. I would say it wasn’t a boring start it’s just that the mood the start began with had made me bored. Along with the topic of the book was very sad and hard to think about. I would say the book was quickly paced and that it was confusing at times. With how the start made me feel it made me feel bored of the book while reading. The end was ok but would say this book is something I would not recommend.
February 23, 2022
Jika aku tidak pergi wisata sekolah, bisakah aku mencegah kematian Papa?
Penulis mencoba membuat pembaca mengerti apa yang dilalui oleh seorang anak yang ditinggal mati oleh ayahnya, terlebih kematiannya tidaklah wajar. Ayahnya gantung diri di loteng rumah.
Francis terpaksa harus mendewasakan diri dengan keadaan, meski saat itu ia pun masih rapuh dan ingin bersikap kekanak-kanakan. Dalam benaknya ia sering kali menyalahkan diri sendiri, wisata sekolah adalah penyebab kematian Papa. Adiknya yang masih berusia teramat kecil pun merasa bersalah, jika aku tidak meminta mainan, akankah Papa akan kembali ke rumah kita?
Dalam buku ini penulis pun memberi gambaran bahwa keluarga yang ditinggal mati oleh orang yang bunuh diri, kesedihannya tidak sama dengan keluarga yang ditinggal mati dengan keadaan wajar.
Kekurangan dalam buku ini hanyalah cerita yang sepotong-potong, tetapi bagaimanapun dengan buku yang setipis ini saja sudah bisa membuat pembaca menangis terisak, apalagi jika buku ini diceritakan secara lengkap oleh penulis? Berapa liter air mata yang harus tumpah?
Jika kamu tidak punya waktu banyak, dan ingin membaca buku sekali duduk, buku ini salah satu pilihan terbaik untukmu.
Penulis mencoba membuat pembaca mengerti apa yang dilalui oleh seorang anak yang ditinggal mati oleh ayahnya, terlebih kematiannya tidaklah wajar. Ayahnya gantung diri di loteng rumah.
Francis terpaksa harus mendewasakan diri dengan keadaan, meski saat itu ia pun masih rapuh dan ingin bersikap kekanak-kanakan. Dalam benaknya ia sering kali menyalahkan diri sendiri, wisata sekolah adalah penyebab kematian Papa. Adiknya yang masih berusia teramat kecil pun merasa bersalah, jika aku tidak meminta mainan, akankah Papa akan kembali ke rumah kita?
Dalam buku ini penulis pun memberi gambaran bahwa keluarga yang ditinggal mati oleh orang yang bunuh diri, kesedihannya tidak sama dengan keluarga yang ditinggal mati dengan keadaan wajar.
Kekurangan dalam buku ini hanyalah cerita yang sepotong-potong, tetapi bagaimanapun dengan buku yang setipis ini saja sudah bisa membuat pembaca menangis terisak, apalagi jika buku ini diceritakan secara lengkap oleh penulis? Berapa liter air mata yang harus tumpah?
Jika kamu tidak punya waktu banyak, dan ingin membaca buku sekali duduk, buku ini salah satu pilihan terbaik untukmu.
December 26, 2017
Buku zaman SMP ini mellow tentang relasi kakak, adik, dan ayahnya :) touchy gitu.
July 13, 2011
Keinginan bunuh dirinya sudah lama terpendam. Sudah sejak dia tidak bekerja lagi sebagai seorang pelaut. Waktu itu anak pertamanya sedang mengikuti karya wisata sekolah ke New York saat istrinya kemudian mengabarkan kepada anaknya kalau dia sudah tak ada lagi di dunia.
‘After’ berkisah tentang perjalanan hidup anak pertama bernama Francis yang merasa sangat sedih serta kesepian serta malu karena ayahnya mati dengan cara bunuh diri di loteng rumahnya sendiri. Dia harus berjuang menghadapi omongan keluarga besarnya, melawan rasa khawatirnya kalau-kalau ibunya juga akan meninggalkannya-menyusul ayahnya, memberikan pengertian kepada adik kandungnya yang masih kecil, Luc, yang belum memahami arti ‘ayah sudah meninggal’.
Secara garis besar, novel ini memberikan sebuah gambaran menarik sekaligus memilukan tentang sebuah keluarga yang mencoba menghadapi kenyataan hidup yang pahit setelah orang yang mereka cintai pergi, pergi dengan cara yang tidak wajar.
Yang membuat saya sedikit merasa terganggu saat membaca novel karangan Francis Chalfour ini adalah penggunaan kata hiperbola dan perumpamaan yang kelewat sering pada halaman-halaman awal sehingga saya sudah ‘jengkel’ duluan dan mengecap novel ini adalah novel ‘lebay’.
Lalu saya mencoba untuk ‘tegar’, mengabaikan perasaan itu dan melanjutkan membaca. Ternyata di balik kejengkelan saya, saya mulai merasa suka cara Francis si pengarang menjabarkan Francis si tokoh sebagai seorang pengamat politik dunia secara diam-diam pada umurnya yang terbilang muda. Pada awal-awal dia merangkai bab, kebiasaan Francis si tokoh sudah dijabarkan, tapi saya sungguh baru menyadarinya pada halaman ke enam puluh enam.
“1993. Bill Clinton menggantikan George Bush sebagai presiden–tidak ada lagi memuntahi Perdana Menteri Jepang. Di New York, sebuah bom dalam van yang diparkir di bawah Menara utara World Trade Center meledak, menewaskan enam orang dan melukai lebih dari seribu orang. Kim Campbell menjadi perdana menteri wanita Canada pertama…..”
Waow.
Namun lebih daripada itu semua, Francis si tokoh, tetap kembali khawatir akan adik laki-laki satu-satunya, yang masih polos, yang mengartikan kata kematian dengan sesuatu yang ‘nanti Papa pasti akan kembali’
“Luc!”
Kelihatannya ia tidak mendengarku.
“Apa yang kaulakukan, Luc?”
Kulihat ia telah mengambil tali jemuran dari halaman belakang, dan melilitkannya di leher Sputnik.
“Demi Tuhan, apa sih yang kaulakukan?”
“Aku ingin Sputnik bunuh diri.”
“Hentikan! Apa kau sudah sinting?”
Aku melompat menuruni undakan dan melepaskan tali jemuran itu dari leher Sputnik.
“Aku ingin Sputnik mencari Papa.”….
Juga kepada ibunya, yang sangat terpukul atas kematian suaminya dan lalu menjadi tulang punggung keluarga.
Seandainya Francis si pengarang lebih sabar sedikit, novel ini akan lebih bagus lagi alurnya. Namun secara keseluruhan, lumayan untuk sebuah novel teenlit yang saya temukan dan beli di bazar sejuta buku kemarin. Maksud lumayan disini adalah tidak melulu soal cinta monyet remaja.
‘After’, novel terbitan tahun 2007 ini masuk ke dalam jajaran finalis Governor General’s Literary Awards, Canada Council For The Arts.
Data Buku :
Judul Asli : After
Judul terjemahan : Luc dan Aku
Alih Bahasa : Alexandra Karina
Cetakan pertama : Jakata, Januari 2007: 184 hlm; 20 cm
Penerbit : PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama
‘After’ berkisah tentang perjalanan hidup anak pertama bernama Francis yang merasa sangat sedih serta kesepian serta malu karena ayahnya mati dengan cara bunuh diri di loteng rumahnya sendiri. Dia harus berjuang menghadapi omongan keluarga besarnya, melawan rasa khawatirnya kalau-kalau ibunya juga akan meninggalkannya-menyusul ayahnya, memberikan pengertian kepada adik kandungnya yang masih kecil, Luc, yang belum memahami arti ‘ayah sudah meninggal’.
Secara garis besar, novel ini memberikan sebuah gambaran menarik sekaligus memilukan tentang sebuah keluarga yang mencoba menghadapi kenyataan hidup yang pahit setelah orang yang mereka cintai pergi, pergi dengan cara yang tidak wajar.
Yang membuat saya sedikit merasa terganggu saat membaca novel karangan Francis Chalfour ini adalah penggunaan kata hiperbola dan perumpamaan yang kelewat sering pada halaman-halaman awal sehingga saya sudah ‘jengkel’ duluan dan mengecap novel ini adalah novel ‘lebay’.
Lalu saya mencoba untuk ‘tegar’, mengabaikan perasaan itu dan melanjutkan membaca. Ternyata di balik kejengkelan saya, saya mulai merasa suka cara Francis si pengarang menjabarkan Francis si tokoh sebagai seorang pengamat politik dunia secara diam-diam pada umurnya yang terbilang muda. Pada awal-awal dia merangkai bab, kebiasaan Francis si tokoh sudah dijabarkan, tapi saya sungguh baru menyadarinya pada halaman ke enam puluh enam.
“1993. Bill Clinton menggantikan George Bush sebagai presiden–tidak ada lagi memuntahi Perdana Menteri Jepang. Di New York, sebuah bom dalam van yang diparkir di bawah Menara utara World Trade Center meledak, menewaskan enam orang dan melukai lebih dari seribu orang. Kim Campbell menjadi perdana menteri wanita Canada pertama…..”
Waow.
Namun lebih daripada itu semua, Francis si tokoh, tetap kembali khawatir akan adik laki-laki satu-satunya, yang masih polos, yang mengartikan kata kematian dengan sesuatu yang ‘nanti Papa pasti akan kembali’
“Luc!”
Kelihatannya ia tidak mendengarku.
“Apa yang kaulakukan, Luc?”
Kulihat ia telah mengambil tali jemuran dari halaman belakang, dan melilitkannya di leher Sputnik.
“Demi Tuhan, apa sih yang kaulakukan?”
“Aku ingin Sputnik bunuh diri.”
“Hentikan! Apa kau sudah sinting?”
Aku melompat menuruni undakan dan melepaskan tali jemuran itu dari leher Sputnik.
“Aku ingin Sputnik mencari Papa.”….
Juga kepada ibunya, yang sangat terpukul atas kematian suaminya dan lalu menjadi tulang punggung keluarga.
Seandainya Francis si pengarang lebih sabar sedikit, novel ini akan lebih bagus lagi alurnya. Namun secara keseluruhan, lumayan untuk sebuah novel teenlit yang saya temukan dan beli di bazar sejuta buku kemarin. Maksud lumayan disini adalah tidak melulu soal cinta monyet remaja.
‘After’, novel terbitan tahun 2007 ini masuk ke dalam jajaran finalis Governor General’s Literary Awards, Canada Council For The Arts.
Data Buku :
Judul Asli : After
Judul terjemahan : Luc dan Aku
Alih Bahasa : Alexandra Karina
Cetakan pertama : Jakata, Januari 2007: 184 hlm; 20 cm
Penerbit : PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama
July 30, 2011
Francis merasa harinya telah berakhir, masa mudanya telah terenggut, bahkan dirinya belum punya pacar, saat ayahnya mati gantung diri di loteng rumah. Sebagai remaja lelaki 16 tahun, sosok ayah merupakan sosok yang penting baginya. Siapa yang akan mengajarinya merayu cewek? Menukur jenggot? atau mengajarkan hal-hal "laki-laki" lainnya?.
Ia menyalahkan dunia, menyalahkan ibunya, dan yang paling parah, menyalahkan diri sendiri. Francis tak berusaha menjalin pertemanan dengan orang lain, bahkan sahabatnya sendiri yang dahulu akrab sebelum kematian ayahnya, kini dijauhinya. Satu-satunya yang Francis pedulikan adalah adik lelaki satu-satunya, Luc, 4 tahun, yang belum mengerti arti kematian sesungguhnya.
Dengan cover bernuansa kelabu, buku berlabel Teenlit ini sudah menarik perhatianku sejak pertama. Akhirnya aku membaca novel tentang kematian lagi, setelah sukses menyelesaikan Ways to Live Forever-nya Sally Nichols yang juga bertema kematian. Diceritakan dari sosok Francis, aku ikut merasakan betapa dalam rasa kehilangan seorang anak terhadap ayahnya yang mati bunuh diri. Mengikuti emosi Francis rasanya bagai naik roller coaster, naik turun, penuh kelokan dan penuh ketegangan. Hingga akhirnya, kita akan diajak untuk belajar bagaimana menyembuhkan luka akibat kehilangan besar dengan berdamai dengan diri sendiri.
cover USA
Yang agak mengurangi kenimatan cerita dalam buku ini adalah banyaknya bintang-bintang pemisah antar paragraf (duh, aku ngga tahu namanya apa). Pemisah ini membuat ide cerita seperti loncat-loncat dan ngga smooth. Dan sejujurnya, aku sendiri jadi kurang dapat mendalami karakter dan perasaan si Francis ini. Meskipun demikian, luka hati Francis dapat dilukiskan dalam pragraf berikut:
Bom nuklir meledak di dadaku. Sepuluh ribu guillotine memenggal sepuluh ribu kepala dengan dentangan besi menakutkan. Space Shuttle Challenger hancur terbakar di langit di atas Texas. Sengatan arus listrik menyebar lewat pembuluh darah dan tulang-tulangku. Pikiranku berputar-putra mencari tempat untuk bersembunyi dari rasa sakit itu...
Ia menyalahkan dunia, menyalahkan ibunya, dan yang paling parah, menyalahkan diri sendiri. Francis tak berusaha menjalin pertemanan dengan orang lain, bahkan sahabatnya sendiri yang dahulu akrab sebelum kematian ayahnya, kini dijauhinya. Satu-satunya yang Francis pedulikan adalah adik lelaki satu-satunya, Luc, 4 tahun, yang belum mengerti arti kematian sesungguhnya.
Dengan cover bernuansa kelabu, buku berlabel Teenlit ini sudah menarik perhatianku sejak pertama. Akhirnya aku membaca novel tentang kematian lagi, setelah sukses menyelesaikan Ways to Live Forever-nya Sally Nichols yang juga bertema kematian. Diceritakan dari sosok Francis, aku ikut merasakan betapa dalam rasa kehilangan seorang anak terhadap ayahnya yang mati bunuh diri. Mengikuti emosi Francis rasanya bagai naik roller coaster, naik turun, penuh kelokan dan penuh ketegangan. Hingga akhirnya, kita akan diajak untuk belajar bagaimana menyembuhkan luka akibat kehilangan besar dengan berdamai dengan diri sendiri.
cover USA
Yang agak mengurangi kenimatan cerita dalam buku ini adalah banyaknya bintang-bintang pemisah antar paragraf (duh, aku ngga tahu namanya apa). Pemisah ini membuat ide cerita seperti loncat-loncat dan ngga smooth. Dan sejujurnya, aku sendiri jadi kurang dapat mendalami karakter dan perasaan si Francis ini. Meskipun demikian, luka hati Francis dapat dilukiskan dalam pragraf berikut:
Bom nuklir meledak di dadaku. Sepuluh ribu guillotine memenggal sepuluh ribu kepala dengan dentangan besi menakutkan. Space Shuttle Challenger hancur terbakar di langit di atas Texas. Sengatan arus listrik menyebar lewat pembuluh darah dan tulang-tulangku. Pikiranku berputar-putra mencari tempat untuk bersembunyi dari rasa sakit itu...
August 22, 2012
Took My Breath Away
I read a lot of fiction. There are very few books that I can describe as taking my breath away. Francis Chalifour’s “After” did just that. Repeatedly.
The story itself is tragic, poignant, and ultimately redemptive.
But as powerful as the story is, it is more the quality of writing that blew me away.
Told through the very convincing voice of a teenager, there are many lines that stopped me cold:
• “Papa, I’m tired of you being dead.”
• The hands seemed to move madly, grabbing the minutes.
• That old Grief Monster had its own schedule.”
• “The Suicide’s Son times the Shrink equals Weirdness squared.”
A could go on and on. Exquisite writing.
Then there is Chalifour’s capacity to evoke the gritty and poignant reality of the main character’s life with the most seemingly pedestrian of observations. That’s the sign of a very fine writer – one who doesn’t feel compelled to detail on the page all the characters’ emotions but lets their words, actions, and even the physical setting convey the inner landscape.
Moreover, “After” is not a fictionalized novel. It is real life, a memoir of Chalifour’s life AFTER his father’s suicide. Having produced a memoir myself ("August Farewell"), I know something of what is entailed in writing about the tragic loss of a loved one. It’s not easy. Chalifour has done it with grace and awe-inspiring lyricism.
Francis Chalifour’s “After” well deserved its recognition as a finalist in the Governor General’s Literary Awards.
* * *
Information on Francis Chalifour's AFTER available at http://amzn.to/MhRiFh
Information on my memoir “August Farewell” and my novel “Searching for Gilead” available on my website at http://DavidGHallman.com
I read a lot of fiction. There are very few books that I can describe as taking my breath away. Francis Chalifour’s “After” did just that. Repeatedly.
The story itself is tragic, poignant, and ultimately redemptive.
But as powerful as the story is, it is more the quality of writing that blew me away.
Told through the very convincing voice of a teenager, there are many lines that stopped me cold:
• “Papa, I’m tired of you being dead.”
• The hands seemed to move madly, grabbing the minutes.
• That old Grief Monster had its own schedule.”
• “The Suicide’s Son times the Shrink equals Weirdness squared.”
A could go on and on. Exquisite writing.
Then there is Chalifour’s capacity to evoke the gritty and poignant reality of the main character’s life with the most seemingly pedestrian of observations. That’s the sign of a very fine writer – one who doesn’t feel compelled to detail on the page all the characters’ emotions but lets their words, actions, and even the physical setting convey the inner landscape.
Moreover, “After” is not a fictionalized novel. It is real life, a memoir of Chalifour’s life AFTER his father’s suicide. Having produced a memoir myself ("August Farewell"), I know something of what is entailed in writing about the tragic loss of a loved one. It’s not easy. Chalifour has done it with grace and awe-inspiring lyricism.
Francis Chalifour’s “After” well deserved its recognition as a finalist in the Governor General’s Literary Awards.
* * *
Information on Francis Chalifour's AFTER available at http://amzn.to/MhRiFh
Information on my memoir “August Farewell” and my novel “Searching for Gilead” available on my website at http://DavidGHallman.com
August 8, 2020
This is a book that kind of makes me think that there is a very low standard for Canadian literature ahah, it was quite dry and simplistic without saying much. Very much a grief story without a lot of connection or relief from the narrator just feeling down and meaningless. I can’t tell if this was supposed to be autobiographical or not, but I feel like the author didn’t try very hard to make this an interesting story for fiction.
December 3, 2013
AWARDS : Governor General's Literary Awards 2005, (Children's Literature)
Author Francis Chalifour is the winner of the 2006 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. This is an autobiographical story.
Francis’ school plans a trip to NYC, but his family is unable to afford it, so Francis asks the principle if he could do some work around the school to pay for the trip. Everything is fine until he get a call from his mom when in New York. When he returns back home, he finds out that his father had committed suicide at home. This tragedy completely changes his life; his friends, his role in the family, which now incorporates taking care of his younger brother and his mother. Francis deeply misses his father, but at the same time, does notunderstand why his father abandoned his responsibilities at home. Francis is unable to cope with this difficult time and eventually sinks into depression. The story is surrounded by sorrow and struggles, making the readers sympathize with his losses. Luckily, in the end, he receives the help of others and goes through the phases of grieving. This book is recommended for readers 12 and up.
Author Francis Chalifour is the winner of the 2006 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. This is an autobiographical story.
Francis’ school plans a trip to NYC, but his family is unable to afford it, so Francis asks the principle if he could do some work around the school to pay for the trip. Everything is fine until he get a call from his mom when in New York. When he returns back home, he finds out that his father had committed suicide at home. This tragedy completely changes his life; his friends, his role in the family, which now incorporates taking care of his younger brother and his mother. Francis deeply misses his father, but at the same time, does notunderstand why his father abandoned his responsibilities at home. Francis is unable to cope with this difficult time and eventually sinks into depression. The story is surrounded by sorrow and struggles, making the readers sympathize with his losses. Luckily, in the end, he receives the help of others and goes through the phases of grieving. This book is recommended for readers 12 and up.
November 5, 2010
I like this kind of books. You know, the books that talk about pain, about how one deals with death and stuff. Especially, it's a teen book. I don't know why, but I enjoy reading books talking about teenagers. About how they deal with life and everything.
I have a certain feeling about death. It always gives me such a deep emotion. Either it's family or friends. I need days, weeks, months, or even weeks to understand the fact that someone I know, care about, or love, pass away.
That is why, I understand completely how Francis might have felt. Especially since his Dad chose to die by suicide. Shocking.
It's a great book for those interested in how people deal with death. Not only is there Francis' story on how he sees his father's passing, but also his Mom and Luc, his younger brother.
I have a certain feeling about death. It always gives me such a deep emotion. Either it's family or friends. I need days, weeks, months, or even weeks to understand the fact that someone I know, care about, or love, pass away.
That is why, I understand completely how Francis might have felt. Especially since his Dad chose to die by suicide. Shocking.
It's a great book for those interested in how people deal with death. Not only is there Francis' story on how he sees his father's passing, but also his Mom and Luc, his younger brother.
June 23, 2013
After paints a realistic picture of death and grief while chronicling a year in the life of a teen and his family after the loss of his father. Fifteen year old Francis is left with his mother and younger brother after the tragic suicide of his father. As he travels from shock and anger to picking up the pieces of his life, he realizes that he is not to blame for his father's death and that he is not alone. Age 13 plus. Review from CM http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol12/no2/after.html
January 4, 2012
hell yeah, akhirnya kelar juga baca ini teenlit .
stelah dari kemaren2 susah banget buat baca karena tugas lumayan numpuk dan eh sebagian besar karena sugesti temen2 gue yang baca duluan yang bilang ini teenlit gak oke . dan yah , karena gue orangnya gampang kemakan omongan wal hasil baca jadi ogah2an, padahal ceritanya gak seburuk yang gue duga. well, walaopun endingnya agak geje gitu sih -,-
stelah dari kemaren2 susah banget buat baca karena tugas lumayan numpuk dan eh sebagian besar karena sugesti temen2 gue yang baca duluan yang bilang ini teenlit gak oke . dan yah , karena gue orangnya gampang kemakan omongan wal hasil baca jadi ogah2an, padahal ceritanya gak seburuk yang gue duga. well, walaopun endingnya agak geje gitu sih -,-
June 13, 2011
Cerita tentang proses berduka yang menarik, mengambil sudut pandang seorang remaja laki-laki yang harus kehilangan ayahnya secara tidak wajar--bunuh diri. Bisa jadi bahan kajian psikologi yang menarik.
April 18, 2007
Good description of emotional process, but needs to be a bit more practical....
November 27, 2007
sediiiiih :(
December 30, 2007
Huaaaa... buku ini sedih banget -srooooot-
My review:
http://bookquickies.wordpress.com/200...
My review:
http://bookquickies.wordpress.com/200...
March 30, 2008
Francis is left to deal with his family after his father's suicide.
Want to read
August 5, 201010 ribuan :)
September 23, 2010
Sadness and losses are two close friends that can kill all the spirits and hopes. Too bad.
September 1, 2011
baru nyadar kalo buku ini bagus.
gimana anak kecil, yang kehilangan ayahnya, gatau musti bilang dengan cara apa ke adiknya kalo ayah mereka udah meninggal.
gimana anak kecil, yang kehilangan ayahnya, gatau musti bilang dengan cara apa ke adiknya kalo ayah mereka udah meninggal.
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September 20, 2022
This was an interesting read. I enjoyed as a teen.
August 16, 2015
quite sad.. :-(
April 18, 2009
So far so good
Currently reading
April 17, 2011baru baca sampe halaman 29.
udah rasa depresi dan sedih banget..
stop dulu buat menata hati :(
udah rasa depresi dan sedih banget..
stop dulu buat menata hati :(
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews