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Afterlife

By: Julia Alvarez
Narrated by: Alma Cuervo
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Publisher's summary

The first adult novel in almost 15 years by the internationally best-selling author of In the Time of the Butterflies and How the García Girls Lost Their Accents.

Antonia Vega, the immigrant writer at the center of Afterlife, has had the rug pulled out from under her. She has just retired from the college where she taught English when her beloved husband, Sam, suddenly dies. And then more jolts: her bighearted but unstable sister disappears, and Antonia returns home one evening to find a pregnant, undocumented teenager on her doorstep. Antonia has always sought direction in the literature she loves - lines from her favorite authors play in her head like a soundtrack - but now she finds that the world demands more of her than words.

Afterlife is a compact, nimble, and sharply droll novel. Set in this political moment of tribalism and distrust, it 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 stay true to those glorious souls we have lost?

©2020 Julia Alvarez (P)2020 Recorded Books

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Editor's Pick

A welcome listen in times of turmoil
"The arrival of Julia Alvarez’s first work of fiction in 15 years couldn’t have happened at a better time. We are facing a global pandemic that encourages distancing ourselves from others, and we are living through one of the most divisive political climates in more than a generation. In Alvarez’s Afterlife, Antonia is a retired college professor of Dominican descent who is struggling with the sudden death of her husband, Sam. But in h quiet Vermont college town, her life is turned upside down when she finds Estela, a pregnant, undocumented teenager at her door. As Antonia weighs the needs of others and her own, memories of Sam’s goodness help guide her, along with guidance from authors such as Tolstoy and Rilke—and this is where this story shines. I fell in instant love with this story. Alvarez is a brilliant writer who draws from her own Dominican culture to offer a combined message of deep reflection on existence with timely questions about life, loss, and finding the good within yourself in order to help others. Afterlife is a refreshing and welcome listen that reminds us that there is no better time than NOW for this timely message."—Edwin D., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Afterlife

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  • Overall
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Realistic, thoughtful, timely

The characters were not offered formulaic answers to their complex human challenges of grieving and loneliness. But they were all encouraged to find energy and desire to love and hope and reach out again

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Highly recommended

A beautiful, moving story read with such care and tenderness . Loved the relationships in the sisterhood and will take away the thoughts on the afterlife.

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16 people found this helpful

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still thinking about main character

short novella. well written. meaningful story leave you pondering about life
situations, and issues surrounding us

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9 people found this helpful

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Always so real for me

I love how she speaks from Dominican culture right out of life in the motherland. Even when the action doesn’t happen there she just connects you to her culture ( which is mine too). It’s like living in a Dominican home. I loved the characters, the sisterhood, what a wonderful family she created for this book. Makes me wonder if she had a ton of siblings too. It’s just so real to me. Doesn’t feel like fiction. Loved it.

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  • Overall
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Beautiful

Beautiful story that holds your attention and fills your heart with compassion for migrants. I would recommend this book and the narrator is fabulous!

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  • Overall
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A Good Listen

I enjoyed this book though I wish more of the Spanish phrases used had been translated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Sisterhood

Well told story. Covering immigration both today and yesterday year. Family bonds both by blood and heart.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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That's all?

With Butterflies being a life-changing book, I expected more out of this story. It lacked depth and believability for me.

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21 people found this helpful

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Good enough

A well-written story, but not overwhelmingly good. Descriptions of the central character's widowhood are moving. But the resolution of the story is pretty trite.

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14 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Julia Alvarez at her best!! But also this is the 4th book I’ve listened to narrated by Alma Cuervo and she is absolutely fantastic. I was so moved by both the story and the incredible narration. I wish Alma Cuervo narrated everything!

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