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tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
This book is stunning. Pan addresses heart-heavy ideas like depression and suicide and grief in a way that is rich with color and emotion with a just right amount of weight. True to the title, this book is astonishing.
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
I was avoiding this book for a long time because of the subject matter. I lost my dad 6 years ago. However, now that I have read it, it seems ridiculous to avoid. This book is about grief but it isn't too much or too little. It didn't find it triggering.
The culture in this story was so rich and interesting to learn about. I can relate to Leigh in the way of not knowing some of her grandparents. Death does have a way of bringing people together and this book told it very well.
The culture in this story was so rich and interesting to learn about. I can relate to Leigh in the way of not knowing some of her grandparents. Death does have a way of bringing people together and this book told it very well.
val_vaz17's review against another edition
4.0
cried a lot đ reminded me abt stuff but the message overall was good and i was super captivated the whole time by the writing đș
mcdonald's review against another edition
3.0
The romance plot line was unnecessary and it hindered the main plot.
kkoerth613's review against another edition
5.0
This book fills me with many emotions. I love the integration of colour with emotions. How ghosts from the past help children of the future move on, let go. This books is so sweet and sad at times and really makes you wonder about your family, your ancestors, your heritage.
abbyl819's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I had heard so many incredible things about this book, but I am a little conflicted. I felt very disconnected from Leigh and the other characters throughout the whole book. My favorite part was the ending, with the reveal while she is in Taiwan and with Axel once she returns, but I wasnât invested enough in the story for it to be truly shocking. I didnât like the romantic relationship in this book at all, and I kind of wish they had just stayed friends. I thought it was an interesting read, and covered some difficult topics like depression and grief, but I didnât enjoy it as much as it seems like so many other people did.
I had heard so many incredible things about this book, but I am a little conflicted. I felt very disconnected from Leigh and the other characters throughout the whole book. My favorite part was the ending, with the reveal while she is in Taiwan and with Axel once she returns, but I wasnât invested enough in the story for it to be truly shocking. I didnât like the romantic relationship in this book at all, and I kind of wish they had just stayed friends. I thought it was an interesting read, and covered some difficult topics like depression and grief, but I didnât enjoy it as much as it seems like so many other people did.
writingcaia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I think itâs a great story, a wonderful vivid way to delve into to ones past through grief, reconnecting, feeling intensely, and an honest way to look at depression, suicide, and the ways in which itâs so brushed aside, stigmatised. However, it was a bit too âmagicalâ for me, which is kind of strange since I love fantasy and magical realism, still the way it's written was a bit too much for me.
thescenery's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was boring for the most part and im not really a fan of books abt teens but it also made me emotional. grief is weird.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
This book counts towards the Reading Women 2019 Challenge Task #2: A book about a woman with mental illness
The Astonishing Color of After is a stunning YA novel about grief, love, and family. Leigh is a high schooler who enjoys hanging out with (and crushing on) her best friend of 5 years, Axel. Leigh's life is all about art and color. Axel and Leigh frequently describe moods and experiences using colors. Leigh is shattered when her mother takes her own life. After being visited several times by a red bird after her mother's death, Leigh is convinced that the bird is her mother and that the bird is trying to tell her something. Leigh and her dad travel to Taiwan to visit her estranged maternal grandparents. There, Leigh uncovers ghosts and family secrets.
The novel moves back and forth between "current time" and earlier times in Leigh's life. The novel is a beautiful piece of magical realism. At some points I questioned if Leigh was a reliable narrator but whichever way you take her experience, the author perfectly evokes Leigh's grief and confusion. In the afterword the author mentions that she tapped into her own emotions from when after one her loved ones died by suicide. She also addresses how many in Asian culture still don't fully acknowledge the problem of mental illness.
I land around 4-4.5 stars for this book. I recommend it to YA fans and even people who typically don't read YA (as it is not cliche YA).
The Astonishing Color of After is a stunning YA novel about grief, love, and family. Leigh is a high schooler who enjoys hanging out with (and crushing on) her best friend of 5 years, Axel. Leigh's life is all about art and color. Axel and Leigh frequently describe moods and experiences using colors. Leigh is shattered when her mother takes her own life. After being visited several times by a red bird after her mother's death, Leigh is convinced that the bird is her mother and that the bird is trying to tell her something. Leigh and her dad travel to Taiwan to visit her estranged maternal grandparents. There, Leigh uncovers ghosts and family secrets.
The novel moves back and forth between "current time" and earlier times in Leigh's life. The novel is a beautiful piece of magical realism. At some points I questioned if Leigh was a reliable narrator but whichever way you take her experience, the author perfectly evokes Leigh's grief and confusion. In the afterword the author mentions that she tapped into her own emotions from when after one her loved ones died by suicide. She also addresses how many in Asian culture still don't fully acknowledge the problem of mental illness.
I land around 4-4.5 stars for this book. I recommend it to YA fans and even people who typically don't read YA (as it is not cliche YA).
nikkigribuste's review against another edition
5.0
unbelievably beautifully written.
i had never heard of this author before and one of my favourite booktubers recommended this on her channel and, as a loyal viewer with a large trust in this woman, i had to check it out. i did not expect it to be as emotional as it was- i was expecting sadness, but i did not expect to be as moved and sympathetic as i was. the storyline was amazing and so poeticly written- the descriptions made you aware that this author has personally experienced a similar situation. the love between family and spending time and effort in getting to know them despite language barriers is my favourite type of human decency- i loved how leigh constantly tried to communicate with them even though she barely understood the language.
leigh was an amazing character who i related to passion wise as i am an art student myself, however, axel won the award for me in the best written character department. he was everything a human being should be, far beyond decent and caring- his personality was wonderful. it was bringing me hope that there are infact people like him in the world.
overall, i was impressed with the outcome of this book and i know a lot of people will find it moving and emotional, especially those who have suffered with the loss of a loved one through suicide. it deserves the amazing reviews it has received- definitely a top favourite this year currently.
i had never heard of this author before and one of my favourite booktubers recommended this on her channel and, as a loyal viewer with a large trust in this woman, i had to check it out. i did not expect it to be as emotional as it was- i was expecting sadness, but i did not expect to be as moved and sympathetic as i was. the storyline was amazing and so poeticly written- the descriptions made you aware that this author has personally experienced a similar situation. the love between family and spending time and effort in getting to know them despite language barriers is my favourite type of human decency- i loved how leigh constantly tried to communicate with them even though she barely understood the language.
leigh was an amazing character who i related to passion wise as i am an art student myself, however, axel won the award for me in the best written character department. he was everything a human being should be, far beyond decent and caring- his personality was wonderful. it was bringing me hope that there are infact people like him in the world.
overall, i was impressed with the outcome of this book and i know a lot of people will find it moving and emotional, especially those who have suffered with the loss of a loved one through suicide. it deserves the amazing reviews it has received- definitely a top favourite this year currently.