After Annie
After Annie ~ Anna Quindlan
Annie Brown, wife, friend, and mother of three, has died in her late 30s, collapsing on the floor of her kitchen after suffering a brain aneurysm. She leaves behind husband Bill, children Ali, Ant, Benjy, and Jamie, and best friend Annemarie. All are lost without the spoke that held their wheel together. After Annie tells the story of the year following her death, and how her loved ones are able to come to terms with the vacuum left in her wake.
This was a character driven novel, and not a LOT happened, though there were some disturbing revelations about side characters. What really struck me with this book was how beautifully Quindlan wrote about loss, about the pain and grief that the characters experienced, and about the ways that they figure out how in the hell they are going to manage without Annie. Highly recommended.
Personal note – My aunt died of an aneurism at the age of 43. Her kids were grown but barely. It was the most shocking death. She fell over dead, and didn’t even pull her hands up to catch herself, that’s how fast it was. When my mom called me to tell me, that’s when I learned why they tell you to sit down when getting difficult news, because my legs gave out under me and I fell to the ground. The only time that has ever happened to me, thankfully.
What’s with all the book reviews? I’m participating in NaBloPoMo this month, writing a post a day. I decided that I would write about the books that I have read this year. For more NaBloPoMo participants, check out San’s list.
9 Comments
AC
THat happened to a colleague. He was in a car at a red light IIRC, and then he was gone.
J
Such a shocking way to die, right?
Ernie
Wow. This sounds really good, in such a sad way. Your aunt’s passing, how awful. I feel for her kids, grown or not. Such an incredible loss.
My cousin died in a car accident when I was 8 months pregnant with Reg. Coach told me when I returned home from the Hallmark store where I was buying a baby book. It was December 10th. My legs went out from under me. I slid down a wall. She was 36. Had three little kids. Devestating.
Daria
Happened to a person I knew. Awful. I may not be able to read this book, since it sounds heavy. Thanks again for all the reviews.
Margaret
Quindlen is an excellent writer but I don’t know that I could read a book about grief right now. My younger cousin died of an aneurysm in his 50s, like his parents about the same age. 🙁
I had just talked with him at my dad’s memorial service so it felt surreal.
NGS
My father died of an aneurysm at age 56. I think about that a lot. If I die at the same age he did, I will only be alive for eleven more years. That seems like not a lot of time left!
Rain TrueaX
in our country church, that happened to a young woman also. She had just made love to her husband, took a shower and boom, dead just like that with an unknown aneurism. Such a shock
Alexandra
I’m not sure I could read this book, my mum literally dropped dead. Massive stroke. And so sorry to hear about your aunty, it really is a shock that knocks the wind right out of you.
Nicole MacPherson
I agree, this was a good book BUT I need to space out my books on sudden death and the aftermath!