After the End

By: Clare Mackintosh

Narrated by: Louise Brealey, Matt Reeves, Nathalie Armin

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Clare Mackintosh comes a deeply moving and addictive novel about an impossible choice - and the two paths fate could take.

“A beautifully written novel, compelling and clever, tender and true. I can’t stop thinking about it.” (Liane Moriarty, best-selling author of Big Little Lies)

“Tailor-made for book clubs and for fans of Jodi Picoult.” (Publishers Weekly)

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.

What if they could have both?

A gripping and propulsive exploration of love, marriage, parenthood, and the road not taken, After the End brings one unforgettable family from unimaginable loss to a surprising, satisfying, and redemptive ending and the life they are fated to find. With the emotional power of Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper, Mackintosh helps us to see that sometimes the end is just another beginning.

©2019 Clare Mackintosh (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Medical ethics and familial bonds are tested in Clare Mackintosh’s After the End.... Expertly told...[with] a ray of hope at the end." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

“Clare Mackintosh’s complex, riveting page-turner grapples with hard questions without ever straying from its emotional true north. I fell in love with the compelling voices of Pip, Max, and Leila as they explored the bravest and most terrifying words in the English language: What if. After the End is gorgeous, heart-wrenching, hope-soaked, and honest. It made me feel a thousand things, and it also made me think. Get an extra copy for a friend; you’re going to need to talk about this one.” (Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times best-selling author of Never Have I Ever)

"Clare Mackintosh’s After the End is absolutely compulsive reading, a heart-pounding family story with a child’s life in the balance. So skilled is this author, that, just when the reader thinks there is no possible resolution, another door opens. You may think you’ve experienced medical drama before, but you haven’t, not this way.” (Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times best-selling author of The Deep End of the Ocean)

A Novel that will stay with You Forever

Drawing on her own experiences, Clare Mackintosh writes a compellingly beautiful novel that will make you step outside your comfort zone and draw on your own experiences and “what ifs”. This is a novel that will bring all ethical questions about right to die and right to life to the forefront of the reader.

Max and Pip are told that their beautiful little 19 month old son, Dylan, has a brain cancer that is incurable. The doctors can remove parts of the tumor but will not be able to remove it all. Even if they could, they cancer will return. Plus, Dylan has brain damage. They are forced to make an unbelievable, unimaginable decision that no parent should have to make. AND no one should ever have to make in the public sector. This is a decision that doesn’t belong on any social media, newspapers, TV, etc. Because until you personally have to go through something like this, you have no business expressing an opinion to those who are living through it. And even then, should you know a bit of what they might be experiencing or feeling or going through, every situation is different.

Off my soap box, I also have a feeling that little Oscar Keogh might have played a part in this story as well. For more information about his journey and charity go to https://oscarskids.org for another hauntingly beautiful story.

Devastatingly difficult and beautiful

I can't even begin to imagine the Solomon's choice this book describes. The heartbreak and loss are palpable. This book is simply stunning.

Good book

Quite moving. A very tough topic. I admire her courage. Families can be torn apart in the situations.

Beautiful

In art there is “sublime” . Beautiful & heart full . This is that . Thank you .
The Authors note is lovely snd affirming . I had to backtrack a couple times to keep the stories clear . Loved it .

I loved it.

This book was truly heartbreaking but so well done. I would definitely recommend it. If you have ever had a baby in the hospital you definitely relate.

wow

This may be the most well written book I've ever listened to. Tough but amazing.

Outstanding

I had no idea until the end that this story was based on the author’s own experience; can’t imagine how heartbreaking it was to write, while still being life affirming. Wonderful book.

Couldn’t even push pause

The story and narration are outstanding. I listen to audiobooks frequently. Not rarely I’m reluctant to pause. But in nearly all cases, I don’t terribly miss the story until I pick it up again. This was not the case with After the End. Whatever I was doing while the book was on pause felt less relevant than it actually was, and I found myself drifting back to the book. I couldn’t wait to hear what was happening with Pip and Max, what was happening around them, inside them. I finished the book in a six hour overnight marathon. Yes, it is this good.

Characters were so real

Ms Mackintosh tremendously developed these characters. Honestly felt that I was in the room with Pip and Max. This powerful story will stay with me.

Emotional and thought provoking

Very powerful story, and because it is inspired by the author’s own experience, that adds to the emotional impact. I really felt for both sides, which were presented mostly with equal compassion (although the husband’s decision to play his case in the media spotlight was not admirable.) The big drawback, for me, was the second half of the book, After. *SPOILER* the author chose to write a sort of Sliding Doors scenario (that’s a movie reference) and it just didn’t have the emotional gut punch of the first section, Before. The narration was excellent, although the male narrator wasn’t as compelling as the other two. Yes, it’s a sad story, but so true to life. Definitely recommended.