After the End by Clare Mackintosh
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Length: 400 pages
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

When a very close couple has differing opinions on the best course of treatment for their dying son, it divides their lives in wholly unforeseen ways.

From the Publisher

“Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. They’re best friends, lovers—unshakable. But then their son gets sick and the doctors put the question of his survival into their hands. For the first time, Max and Pip can’t agree. They each want a different future for their son.” 

The Draw

• Parents at odds over how to help a sick child.
• Exploration of the “what if.”
• Early buzz suggest it’s a great one for book clubs.

{My Thoughts}

The bit of the blurb from the publisher above perfectly sums up the basic premise of After the End. What it doesn’t tell you is just how much you’re going to like both Max and Pip, just how much you’re going to hurt for them, just how thankful you’ll be if you’ve never been in their shoes. This is a couple that loves each other madly, and equally adores their not yet three-year old son, Dylan. They’ve been dealt a terrible blow in a cancerous brain tumor. Dylan has already had surgery and radiation, and has slipped into a coma as the tumor has again begun to grow. There’s already been brain damage and a second surgery is not an option.

I’m giving nothing away when I tell you that Max and Pip differ on what they believe is best for Dylan, nor that they end up in court. The book’s prologue begins there, seen through the eyes of Dylan’s doctor. From there the story goes back, moving forward to that day in court. Max, Pip and Dr. Khalili alternately tell it, and do so beautifully. Each has a different voice that resonated well with me. At the onset, I found Max’s chapters a little choppy, but quickly grew used to them. Near the end of part one, the three have taken you right back to court.

From that point, After the End, took a path that I wasn’t expecting, but found absolutely brilliant. I don’t want to give much away, but I will say the second half of the book had a “Sliding Doors” quality to it that really made the book. Throughout, I found myself completely sympathetic to both Max and Pip. Each had the noblest of intentions and carried on as best they could, but there were consequences, devastating consequences.

“How can my son be a breath away from death, when evidence of his life is all around me? When I feel him in my heart, as surely as when I carried him in my womb?”

“I blink hard, looking out of the window at the barren fields until I’m sure I’m not going to cry. I’ll need her. Turns out you can hate what someone’s doing, yet still love them so much it hurts.”

In case I haven’t been clear, I loved After the End and highly recommend it to all, especially book clubs for there will be much to discuss. The end was not at all what I expected and in fact I had to read it over a couple times to make sure I had it right. I did and so did Mackintosh! When you finish the book, be sure to read on through the Author’s Note. She went through something similar, which for me always makes a novel extra special. Grade: A

If you liked this book you might also enjoy:

• Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran – The story of a lucky little boy, loved deeply by two mothers, but his destiny can only lie with one. (my review)
• The Fall of Lisa Bellow by Susan Perabo – The story of the “lucky” one: the girl left behind when another is kidnapped. (my review)

Note: I received a copy of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Associate links included within this post.