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.
24 Comments
Lisa's Yarns
Wow, this book must have hit especially close to home since you lost a family member to an aneurism as well. I also really liked this book and felt like she did an amazing job writing about grief and loss!
J
Lisa, you would think so, but that was so long ago, back in 1995…so I did think of my aunt. But most of my grief thoughts are more current, so mostly about my dog Mulder. And my Dad, and my Mom, and so on. Grief is layer upon layer, with each new loss building upon the others. It’s a complicated emotion, at least for me.
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.
J
Oh goodness, how horrible about your cousin. I’m sure that was a shock for you, for sure. My cousins were barely adults, one was a few days away from giving birth. It was horrible. My Grandmother outlived all four of her children. I cannot even imagine.
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.
J
It wasn’t as heavy as one might think, but not exactly light either.
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.
J
Wow, that’s crazy about your cousin. Books about grief can be cathartic, or they can be painful. If it seems like it would be painful, I would certainly steer clear.
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!
J
11 years is not a lot of time, especially when you are only 45. I’m going to be 59 in a few weeks, and my mom died at 66, which seems really close too. Here’s to outliving our parents’ death ages!
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
J
Oh goodness, how poignant!
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.
J
I think I might avoid it if I were you. Might hit too close to home.
Nicole MacPherson
I agree, this was a good book BUT I need to space out my books on sudden death and the aftermath!
J
You really do! The library done you wrong recently!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
This is so so so scary.
I guess smore so for the people one leaves behind as for the one dying but pffff. Hard. I am sorry you had that in your life.
The book however does sound interesting.
J
It was a good book, but hard in a lot of ways.
Elisabeth
This sounds…intense, but also like it has the potential to be beautiful.
My grandfather dropped dead (fell off a ladder actually) when he was 45. The anniversary of his death was yesterday – my son’s birthday. My mom said she can never, ever forget her grandson’s birthday because that date is etched in her memory as the day she lost her dad (she was only 7). It really is terrifying how quickly life can change.
J
Oh goodness, how horrible! And poignant to have your son’s birthday be the same date.
Jenny
Ah, Anna Quindlen. With the exception of “Every Last One,” I always feel like I want something a little more from her books. Like… I guess I want something to happen? Most people really liked this one though. I’m not sure I’m up for the sad subject matter.
J
I think you need to be in a certain headspace for books dealing with grief like this one.