CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨'s Reviews > The Astonishing Color of After

My full review can be found on my blog, The Quiet Pond.

Whew, you all warned me that this would break my heart, but ALSO, why didn't any of you warn me that this would break my heart?!

- A lyrical and evocative story that explores family, the past and its power over the present and future, mental illness, and grief.
- Features Leigh, a biracial character (Taiwanese/White) who goes to Taiwan in search of her mother, who Leigh believes has transformed into a bird.
- Poignantly explores identity - the disconnect Leigh feels from her Taiwanese side and how that is exacerbated by her inability to speak her grandparents' language was relatable and painful.
- Eloquently and candidly explores complex family dynamics, and how mental illness shapes Leigh's family.
- A truly unique book and an accomplishment of a debut.

Content/trigger warning: (view spoiler)[suicide, depression and depressive episodes, familial conflict, death of immediate family member, electroconvulsive therapy (hide spoiler)]