Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Afterlife
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
42 posts | 34 read | 58 to read
The celebrated author of In the Time of the Butterflies and How the Garca Girls Lost Their Accents is back with her first adult novel in almost fifteen yearsand its a tour de force. For Antonia Vega, the immigrant writer at the center of Afterlife, the rug has been pulled out from under her. She has just retired from the college where she taught English when her husband suddenly dies. Fiercely intelligent, sharply droll, and disinclined to engage, Antonia has always sought direction in the literature she has lovedlines from her favorite authors play in her head like a soundtrack. But when, on top of everything else, her bighearted but unstable sister disappears and a pregnant, undocumented migrant teenager appears on Antonias doorstep, she finds that the world demands more of her than words. Afterlife is a compact, nimble novel set in this political moment of tribalism and distrust, a novel that asks: What do we owe those in crisis in our families, including, maybe especially, members of our human family? How do we live in a broken world without losing faith in one another or ourselves? And how do we provide an afterlife for those glorious souls we have lostso we stay true to everything they represent?
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Jen2
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

Enjoyed it.

review
Anna40
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed reading Antonia‘s story focussing on her life after her husband‘s death.Recently retired,she is also “dragged” into caring for an illegal immigrant& struggling with her sister‘s disappearance.The novel deals with love,loss,immigration,mental health,family,privilege. The elegant writing reminded me of Barbara Kingsolver.

review
marleed
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

This was a quiet little book. Fours sisters originally from Dominican Republic and now 60+ yo Americans having lived lives spread across 4 states. Antonio, both recently retired (English lit prof) and widowed, must navigate this ‘afterlife‘ with her distant sisters and her local community. It‘s an immigrant story but those interviews where the director explains, ‘It‘s a boxing movie but it‘s not really about boxing.‘ Yea, like that.

Reggie I really liked this book. 2y
marleed @Reggie I did too. Funny, I picked it up at the Friends of the library used-bookstore. It was stacked with all the self-help type books so I was expecting it to be a memoir of sorts. Cool, since I only read the tagged this year. So, obviously I went into this one with no idea what the story would be! 2y
Reggie I think she writes herself into most of her books because some of her characters become writing teachers at a Vermont college and that‘s what she does in real life. If you want to try another of hers go with In the Name of Salome. It‘s my favorite of hers. 2y
See All 6 Comments
sleepy.ash87 Ooooo... Another for my list! 2y
marleed @Reggie oh I didn‘t know that and I‘ll stack your recommendation- thanks! 2y
marleed @sleepy.ash87 I love how this author writes! 2y
77 likes4 stack adds6 comments
review
rmaclean4
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
Pickpick

Enjoyed this story of a retired widow and her sisters. I found the book essentially life affirming. 3 🌟

review
CampbellTaraL
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

A moving literary story that hits home in so many ways while giving insight to the complicated state of being foreign, but not, and privileged, but not. I immediately empathized with the main character and her loss as well as the flaws that she struggled with while impossible situations kept popping up and forcing her out of the protective shell she'd constructed. I love the dual use of language and how it flows whether you know the words or not.

Reggie Great review. I liked this a lot. 3y
CampbellTaraL @Reggie 💛 your review was how I learned of the author, and I'm grateful! Happy Sunday 3y
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Karmapen
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
Mehso-so

The writing was so beautiful and evocative but I couldn‘t get past how angry I was at the narrator as she continued to make choices that I knew would hurt her and the people around her. I also just didn‘t find Antonia believable—you‘re worried enough to calm the police on your sister but not brave enough to tell her you think she needs help when she asks you point blank? I felt so bad for her sisters.

review
Reggie
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

A year after the death of her husband, Sam, Antonia, a retired English professor, living in Vermont is still figuring out how to live in her grief, his absence. In her wanting to be alone of course life happens. She is one of four sisters and one of them is in crisis. The neighbor farmer who wants to ‘Take Vermont Back‘ employs illegal immigrants, one of which will ask for her help. Dealing with immigration and mental illness, Alvarez writes 👇🏼

Reggie it all with a human touch. This was a little bit of a salve for me in these world on fire times. Pick! 3y
Crazeedi I've heard this is a good book! Adding 3y
readordierachel Great review. Sounds very timely. 3y
See All 9 Comments
JennyM Sounds my kind of book 💛 3y
Reggie @Crazeedi I hope you like it! 3y
Reggie @readordierachel @JennyM Since Antonia used to be an English professor there‘s a lot of reference to lines from poems and literary works. I think she did a great job integrating them into the story. Hope ya‘ll like it if you pick it up. 3y
Suet624 I went to a reading several years ago where she read from this. Sounded so good. 3y
Reggie @Suet624 really,Sue!! I‘m so jealous. That must have been amazing. 3y
Centique Stacked for sure! This sounds amazing. 3y
79 likes8 stack adds9 comments
quote
Reggie
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

This will be the 6th book out of the 7 books I have read from Julia Alvarez. I remember 20 years ago I read the 3 right away I could. And then in 2004 she came out with one of my all time favorites, In the Name of Salome. Every time I read her is like picking up a phone call from a friend you haven‘t heard from in a couple years. Your friendship is always there even though time has moved forward. ❤️Julia

TheBookHippie She was our one book read as a city and we heard her speak. It was amazing. 3y
BarbaraBB I should check her out, I only read 3y
Reggie @TheBookHippie that‘s very cool! 3y
See All 14 Comments
Reggie @Barbarabb because I was young and not very well read yet. She was the first author I read to play with structure and form. How she told a whole story about a girl named Yolanda in Yo! through short stories from the point of view of people around her. In In the Name of Salome she has alternating chapters of an old daughter getting younger while her young mother gets older. And she has the poetic prose I love. She‘s one of my favorites. 3y
TrishB Lovely post Reggie ♥️ 3y
BarbaraBB That is such a beautiful story. I will read more by her, thank you 🤍 3y
KarenUK Lovely 💕 3y
CampbellTaraL Love this, Reggie. I haven't read her work, yet, but between your experience and the blurb of this book, I've a new author to explore. 💛 3y
Reggie @TrishB @KarenUK Thanks you! @taraWritesSci If you ever pick her up I hope you like her! 3y
BiblioLitten I have never read anything by Alvarez. Which one would you recommend first? 3y
Suet624 I‘ve decided to tag every wonderful author who lives in #Vermont. It‘s not a surprise that you love her, Reggie. She writes from the heart. 3y
Reggie @BiblioLitten I would definitely read In the Name of Salome if you only read one of hers. But seriously, How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accenta is great, so is Yo! And so is In the Time of Butterflies. Any of those four. Yo! Can be a standalone but she‘s one of the sisters from How they lost their accent. Hope you enjoy her! 3y
Reggie @Suet624 I really should check out her poetry because she has this easy breezy way with words that calm my insides but carry weight at the same time. She‘s great. 3y
BiblioLitten Thanks Reggie. I‘ll start with In The Time Of Butterflies. 🙌🏼😊 3y
59 likes4 stack adds14 comments
review
Cinfhen
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

It took me awhile to get into this book but once I found my rhythm with the style & prose I became enchanted. Antonia has recently & unexpectedly become widowed. But between her meddling sisters, dramas at home and other daily distractions Antonia finds herself with more than she can handle. This book reminded me of Weather by Jenny Offill, lots of hot button topics highlighted in a disjointed unconstructed manner. Good not great. Soft pick

KarenUK On hold on the library 😊👍.... 3y
Cinfhen Perfect 👌🏾 @KarenUK MERRY CHRISTMAS to you & P xxxxx 3y
KarenUK Thank you! Sending love accross the oceans 😘🌊💕 3y
89 likes4 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Thanks to my #BookSpinBingo I have 5 boxes left and 4 are labeled “Kindle” so im choosing a book from my very loaded Kindle 😁

KarenUK Definitely on my radar... can‘t wait to hear what you think.... 💕 3y
Cinfhen I‘m not really connecting yet @KarenUK 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y
73 likes2 comments
review
LibrarianChels
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

Easily one if the best books I‘ve read this year. The protagonist, Antonia, is relatable and the plot is timely. Alvarez manages to pack a lot into this short novel without it overwhelming the flow.

quote
LibrarianChels
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

An appropriate quote as the court considers the ACA. Loving the unique writing so far.

review
TheBookAddict
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

Wow...it‘s been a while since I‘ve read a book by Julia Alvarez.

This is a #mustread about loss, grief, life, life after loss, love, family, sisterhood, mental illness, words, immigration, forgiveness, and self love. All of the intricacies of life, in a nutshell.

#YesiReads #JuliaAlvarez #diverseauthors #diversebooks #contemporaryfiction

Cathythoughts Beautiful cover 3y
TheBookAddict @Cathythoughts it is. A beautiful story as well. 😊 3y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
LibrarianChels
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

So excited to finally get my hands on this one! I‘ve always been a big fan of Alvarez.

blurb
That-Bookish-Hiker
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Attending the Portland Book Festival in conjunction with the Texas Book Festival author chat with Julia Alvarez while I work. It‘s so convenient!

#pdxbookfestival2020

hermyknee ♥️♥️♥️ 3y
Soubhiville Oh hey! I‘m watching too! 3y
That-Bookish-Hiker @Soubhiville what?! That‘s cool! This is my first time hearing Julia Alvarez talk about her books and it‘s so good! Hope you are enjoying it as well. 3y
44 likes3 comments
blurb
DrexEdit
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

I'm looking forward to reading this new book by Julia Alvarez. I thought other people here might be too! This is a free, live book discussion with the author. You can reserve your spot on Crowdcast from this page:
https://literary-arts.org/event/pbf-alvarez-txbf/

I found this on Lit Hub. They apparently do a round-up of all virtual book events every week, so you could check that site also if you wanted to see more of what's on offer! 😃

NeedsMoreBooks She‘s one of my favorites, too and this book doesn‘t disappoint. 3y
DrexEdit @NeedsMoreBooks Excellent! I am really looking forward to it. 3y
25 likes2 comments
review
MsLeah8417
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Mehso-so

🌟🌟
The story was a bit disjointed for me.

blurb
NeedsMoreBooks
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Episode 5 of the Reading Squad is now available! We discuss Latinx Heritage Month and one of our favorite apps, Litsy: https://anchor.fm/readingsquad

blurb
TheBookAddict
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

I had to go in to our library so I could renew our library cards...so you know I could t leave without some books. 😆

I had tried to put some books on hold and use Hoopla during the week just to get a message saying that my library privileges had expired. I was sad 😢 and trying not to panic. I went to their website and found out that after 3yrs you have to renew your card. So I got it done today. 😁👍🏽 💕 📚 📚 💕

#YesiReads

31 likes1 stack add
blurb
That-Bookish-Hiker
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Some of the Fiction authors.

2 of 2
#pdxbookfest2020

review
NeedsMoreBooks
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

Alvarez is one of my favorite authors and this book, released after 14 years, focuses on immigration. Antonia, a retired college English professor, has recently lost her husband. Although she has three sisters, she‘s still trying to figure her life and identity after being widowed. Her life is entangled with Estela, an undocumented immigrant who comes to stay next door. Raising Qs on legality, economy, and power, this is an important read.

41 likes4 stack adds
review
rsteve388
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
Pickpick

Trigger Warning: Suicide, Death, Immigration Treatment by Law Enforcement.

What a beautiful story about grief, hardship and the unexpected twists and turns that our lives take as we figure out who do we care for?.who is important? Beautiful narration and difficult topics regarding suicide and death.

NeedsMoreBooks Just completed this ❤️ 4y
rsteve388 Oh yay! We both read the same book by a Latin author. :) 4y
20 likes2 comments
blurb
kspenmoll
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y
66 likes1 comment
review
Jolynne
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

This book dealt with many issues with a wonderful sense of humor. I especially enjoyed "that" sisterly humor.

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
Bandrea
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Reading and working night shift. This book has no quotations but for some reason I don‘t mind. I have written many quotes down from this book. Remembering why I really like this author.

review
KVanRead
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Mehso-so

A quick listen that started off great but ultimately disappointed. A bit too uneven for me. I was much more drawn to the story of her relationship with her undocumented neighbors than that of her sisters who were bickering and tiresome. The mental illness story should have been compelling but the way it was treated felt simplistic and a little insensitive. Some very beautiful writing in places but just didn‘t come together for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

EKonrad Totally agree!!! 4y
KVanRead @EKonrad Have you read any of her other books? Still think I‘d like to read more of her, 4y
EKonrad I haven‘t read anything else from her yet. Not sure if I will now or not. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 4y
Reggie Read In the Name of Salome. It‘s my favorite of hers. In the Time of Butterflies and How the Garcia Girls lost their Accents are her most popular, rightfully so but Salome and Yo! Are my favorites. I didn‘t know she had a new one out. 4y
KVanRead @Reggie Thanks for the recs!!❤️😊 4y
28 likes5 comments
blurb
KVanRead
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Started this one just now on an #audiodogwalk. Loving it so far. The writing and the story grabbed me right away. #LordByron #DogsofLitsy

slategreyskies Lord Byron!! :) 4y
KVanRead @slategreyskies My daughter named him :) I‘m pretty sure his namesake would not approve 😂 4y
Emily92Bibliophile I love his name ! 💙 4y
See All 8 Comments
Bette He looks happy. ❤️ 4y
KVanRead @Emily92Bibliophile That‘s my daughter‘s favorite poet. Not sure they have a lot in common lol although he is very sensitive 😊🐶 4y
KVanRead @Bette in his happy place for sure 4y
Cathythoughts Gorgeous pick. I love to see dogs running free 😍 4y
KVanRead @Cathythoughts Me too! Pure joy in action 😊 4y
37 likes8 comments
review
Floresj
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

I loved this short, poetic book. Although, I think I just loved Alvarez‘s writing. The books topics were grief, migrants, and family....but it feels like she covered more than that. A very grounding book by a great author.

13 likes4 stack adds
review
Storied
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

At first I missed what I found magical about her other books, playing with timelines or multiple characters' perspectives. She writes about grief as if she's closely acquainted with it and from the perspective of someone who is more aloof and used to seeking comfort and direction from finding the right words.

“All she has come up with is that the only way not to let the people she loves die forever is to embody what she loved about them.”

6 likes1 stack add
review
ManyWordsLater
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

Answer? During a pandemic
#pandemic #covid #quarantine

review
ManyWordsLater
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

28 Books so far
7 Black (25%)
0 Indigenous (0%)
3 Non-black POC (11%)
1 LGBTQIA+(3%)
(19 female (68%))
#intergrateyourself

Thanks!

@ChasingOm @Emilymdxn

Emilymdxn Awesome to have you on board! 4y
ChasingOm Great stats! Thanks for joining! 4y
34 likes2 comments
review
BookNightOwl
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Mehso-so

This book is about a woman who deals with losing her husband. Along with that she is trying to find her sister and deal with the immigrant next door who has paid a coyote to bring his girlfriend. I short book filled with lots of ups and downs.

blurb
MallenNC
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

All I‘ve done today is read and watch author talks. This one with Julia Alvarez in conversation with Jaquira Diaz was sponsored by Book Passage.

blurb
NeedsMoreBooks
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Congratulations @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks on your followers and litfluence and for hosting the #5N5giveaway

1. It was very hard to pick a favorite but I will go with The Atlas of Happiness, a nonfiction book with excellent practical advice. I gave up choosing just one favorite fiction 🤦🏻‍♀️

2. I am looking forward to the tagged book. Hopefully I will buy a copy, soon.

review
crhealey
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Might have been expecting a little more action but was not expecting anything less than 5 stars from Alvarez! Quiet, meditative, beautiful.

review
ReadingEnvy
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

Antonia is a retired literature professor whose husband has just died and she is left to make sense of her life. She has three sisters who are all very close but are a sense of drama, and then she gets wrapped up in the lives of some of the undocumented workers living nearby.⤵️

ReadingEnvy The very beginning and end are written more poetically but the majority of the middle is more straightforward.
.
I can't believe I haven't read this author before but I get the sense that she tends to write longish family sagas. Because this spans so little time you only get the end of the story for a few characters. ⤵️
4y
ReadingEnvy I think this aligns with the author's desire to write about this stage of life and it made me think a lot of my Mom who just this week moved into a home on her own, after living in the house I grew up in for almost 40 years, where my Dad passed away a few years ago. It's easy for your focus to become other people but then who are you? Very thought provoking for sure. 4y
55 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
crhealey
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Ordered this from RJ Julia to support my fave local bookstore! #weekendreads

quote
veronicaeye
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

"The great loves they had all dreamed about as young women, reduced to the dubious compliments of horrors averted."

blurb
Texreader
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

I love reading book recommendations. I hope you do, too.

https://apple.news/AZt1wNSSfRXysOX3VHQkHqg

sudi Thanks for sharing, there are some really good recommendations in there. 4y
BookNightOwl Added some great books. Thanks for this article! 4y
Freespirit Thank you for sharing 4y
69 likes3 comments
review
EKonrad
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

This might be a more PC choice for people who are turned off by the “American Dirt“ controversy but still want to connect to a strong woman of color character. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Netgalley #arc

Full review at http://erinkonrad.com/2020/03/25/afterlife-book-review/

review
gossamerchild
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image
Pickpick

I picked this up at #pla2020 last week in Nashville and tore right through it. Alvarez is ana amazing writer, and my only complaint is that the book is too short. Antonia is a recently retired professor, whose beloved husband has also recently passed away. Two other life-changing events occur in the course of the book, making Antonia question her own humanity. I particularly love the descriptions of The Sisterhood. Great, quick read!

gossamerchild Thanks to #algonquinbooks for the #free book! 4y
iread2much Looks like a good read! How old is the main character? 4y
gossamerchild @iread2much mid-60s, I think. 4y
iread2much Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing! 4y
gossamerchild @iread2much my pleasure! It was a great read 😍 4y
41 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
NeedsMoreBooks
Afterlife | Julia Alvarez
post image

Thank you & congratulations to @Chrissyreadit for the celebratory #thankyougiveaway ❤️❤️

I read a lot of amazing books this year but my favorite was The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell, a book on the different ways of achieving happiness around the world with ideas to include those in our lives.
I am looking forward to Afterlife by Julia Alvarez, one of my favorite authors who discusses important pertinent themes. Afterlife looks intriguing

20 likes1 stack add