How Does 'The Astonishing Color Of After' Explore Grief?

The Astonishing Color of After' dives deep into grief through magical realism, showing how the protagonist Leigh sees her mother's suicide through a surreal lens. The colors and birds symbolize her emotional chaos—vivid reds for pain, soft blues for memories. She believes her mother turned into a bird, which drives her to Taiwan to uncover family secrets. The grief isn't linear; it's messy, overlapping with guilt and cultural dislocation. Leigh's art becomes her coping mechanism, blending reality with fantasy. The novel doesn't offer easy closure but mirrors how grief lingers, transforms, and sometimes reveals truths about love and identity.

For those drawn to magical realism, 'The Bone Gap' by Laura Ruby tackles loss similarly, weaving folklore with personal tragedy.

As someone who's studied literature, 'The Astonishing Color of After' stands out for its layered portrayal of grief. The book uses dual timelines—Leigh's present journey in Taiwan and flashbacks to her mother's depression—to show how memory distorts under grief's weight. The magical elements aren't just decorative; they reflect Leigh's inability to process loss conventionally. Her mother's absence manifests as a ghostly bird, a metaphor for the unresolved questions haunting her.

The cultural aspect adds depth. Leigh's mixed heritage complicates her mourning; she feels disconnected from both her Taiwanese roots and her American life. The grandmother's silence about the past mirrors how families often bury pain. Food, traditions, and untranslated Mandarin phrases become barriers and bridges in her grief journey.

The novel's brilliance lies in its sensory details. Scents of incense, the taste of pineapple cakes—these anchor Leigh (and readers) in tangible moments amid emotional turmoil. Unlike typical YA grief narratives, this avoids melodrama, focusing instead on quiet, cumulative realizations. For a different take on grief through culture, try 'The Namesake' by Jhumpa Lahiri.

What hit me hardest in 'The Astonishing Color of After' is how grief rewires perception. Leigh doesn't just miss her mother; she hallucinates her presence through colors and symbols, like the persistent red bird. It's less about 'moving on' and more about learning to carry the loss. Her anger at her father for not 'saving' her mom feels raw and real, especially when contrasted with his quiet guilt.

The Taiwan trip forces Leigh to confront generational grief—her grandmother's regrets about her daughter (Leigh's mom) reveal how pain echoes through families. The calligraphy shop scenes are genius; ink strokes become a language for emotions words can't capture. Even the romantic subplot with Axel isn't a distraction but a mirror—his own loss shows Leigh she's not alone.

For a darker, poetic take on grief, 'Sparrow' by Sarah Moon might resonate. Both books treat young grief with respect, avoiding clichés.