Reviews

The Afterlife of Walter Augustus by Hannah Lynn

sarahs_bookish_life's review

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4.0

Walter I took to straight away in this story. He is a lovely character who I think readers will instantly hit it off with. It seemed unfair that he has to wait until everyone has forgotten him. To be stuck in limbo, I could easily feel his frustrations growing. He is very much a gentle soul of which has the reader routing for him to get to his final resting place.

Letty is another easy to read about character. Finding the book written by Walter, makes Letty more intrigued with finding out more about the person behind it. With Walter obviously not wanting this, what follows is a sweet and light hearted reading experience.

The Afterlife of Walter Augustus is a gentle read that easily charms the reader. It’s an easy and delightful read that will put a smile on your face and brighten up your day. I appreciated the touches of humour through out the story as otherwise I think it may have been quite a sombre read but as it is, it makes for an enjoyable read of which makes me look forward to more by the author.

toofondofbooks's review

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5.0

This review was originally posted on my blog: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/

I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Afterlife of Walter Augustus as it sounded like a book that is different to my usual reads. I’m so happy that I got the chance to read it though because I adored it.

The Afterlife of Walter Augustus follows two characters – Walter and Letty. Walter died a long, long time ago but he’s stuck in the interim part of the afterlife, which is where the deceased stay for as long as someone on earth remembers them. Walter just wants to be forgotten so that he can move on to the afterlife to be with his wife again. Letty is very much alive. She works hard, and lives a frugal existence with her husband. Letty is keeping a big secret though, and on top of that she one day acquires a poetry collection and this leads to her becoming a problem for Walter.

This book is wonderful: it had moments that made me smile and moments that took my breath away. There is a part of this book where two people meet in the athenaeum and I had to put the book down because I was crying so much. They were cathartic tears though. I really loved Hannah’s take on the interim afterlife and what it might be like for people who have passed on. I waiver on what I believe but I’d never really considered an interim and it really made me think. I often think of my lovely mum, and sometimes I can smell her perfume and for a brief moment it’s as if she is right there. It was weird to contemplate the idea of someone being stuck somewhere because they are remembered on earth but as I got further into the novel and met other characters I got great comfort from that. Walter is almost the exception in the interim – he is remembered many, many years after death because of a quirk of fate that made him a published author in his lifetime.

The Afterlife of Walter Augustus is a perfect blend of beautifully moving and very amusing. It is witty and charming, and a wonderfully heartwarming read. I highly recommend this book; it’s a five star read!

mythandmiddlegrade's review

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2.0

Good concept, unfinished and disappointing ending

Whilst the concept and the world building was great, the ending/reveal was disappointing and left a lot to be desired.

piab30's review

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3.0

The idea is interesting but the execution needed more work. Many parts were unclear or confusing. The comedy also felt not so catchy.

kathijo63's review

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4.0

What a heartwarming story! We follow Walter Augustus as he is stuck in the "Interim" which is sort of Heaven's waiting room. You must stay there until everyone on earth has forgotten you. It's really an interesting concept. That means that famous people would basically be stuck there forever. Walter is very nearly forgotten until Letty finds the one copy of a book of poems he wrote. We follow Letty struggling with her life and Walter desperately trying to get her to forget about him so he can move on.

One of my favorite passages from the book that has really stuck with me:

Love is not limited...It doesn't get spread out or worn thin.....I learned that, if you love someone new, it doesn't make your love for anyone else weaker. You can't love too many people...But you can miss out by not loving enough."

What a beautiful thought.

binncheol's review

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2.0

Cute story, sweet characters but obvious plot points

booksintheskye's review

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4.0

**I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

See full review here: https://wordpress.com/posts/booksintheskye.wordpress.com?s=walter+augustus

Overall, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus by Hannah Lynn is a enjoyable read. With a unique perspective on the afterlife, this book hooks its reader. Lovable characters have you rooting for them to overcome their problems and move on in their lives. A flawless combination of the real world with the interim truly completes the book. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoys a quick paced book with lovable characters.

clarareads's review

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3.0

I liked her writing style, but the two stories were too disconnected for me and Lettie was a bit of a drip! Cool concept though.

kalventure's review

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3.0

I finished reading this book 10 days ago and am only just now getting around to writing this review, which is so unlike me! I have to say that the premise of this book is so interesting: when you die you go to the Interim, a kind of in-between heaven, until you are forgotten on Earth.
'It's how people get trapped. Five minutes of fame. Less for some. And that's it. Once your name is on that thing [Google], eternity in the interim awaits. There is no escape.'
I really enjoyed the unique perspective and the whole twist of what happens to those that reach immortality in life because they are remembered. I found myself thinking about poor Plato and Sophocles and William Shakespeare being relegated to this in-between Heaven for all of eternity! I do wish that these famous people were explored more in the Interim because it would have made an interesting addition.

This story is told from dual perspectives:
➡️ Walter J. Augustus has been dead since the 1800s and slowly waiting for the last person on Earth that remembered him to pass away so he could be reunited with his family in Heaven.
➡️ Letty Ferguson is not dead and through a series of random events, she comes across Walter's book. And then their stories collide.

I found myself struggling a bit with Letty's POV and found my mind wandering quite a bit during her chapters but overall really enjoyed this refreshing read. I definitely was wondering about this Hector fellow and his ~intentions~ and found myself invested in the 'dead' cast of characters and what would happen to them. I loved Walter's character so much and enjoyed learning about his past. I'd definitely recommend this to someone interested in a unique and fast-paced read.

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stephbookshine's review

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5.0

*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

I love this book!

For the first few chapters I was reminded of Mitch Albom’s afterlife life-lesson stories, but Hannah Lynn quickly found her feet and her own distinctive style which is lighter and masks the moral education with a thick icing of entertainment.

Walter and Letty are both very believable characters (although I did have to suspend disbelief and huge chunks of envy at Letty’s money problem). Obviously the story deals with the afterlife, or more accurately the interim period between life and the afterlife, and therefore the realism would be very dependent on your personal beliefs! Lynn does not push the religious aspect, but rather creates a fresh setting full of imaginative possibilities that intersects with her ‘real world’ in recognisable ways (poltergeist activity, Ouija boards and so forth).

There is a bit of everything here: some action and mild peril, some romance, some mystery and a certain family member that makes you want to throw a shoe as you read! The plot starts quite slowly, but once Letty finds the poetry book things soon pick up pace and by the climax I was on the edge of my seat. I had a particular soft spot for a bad-tempered, animal-loving character and found the ending of the novel both touching and satisfying. I may have had a little tear, as well as a chuckle.

The aftermath of The Afterlife of Walter Augustus had me thinking deeply about patience, honesty, priorities and how I interact with the people around me. It also left a warm glow for me in my thoughts about the loss of loved ones (Disclaimer: I am not religious) and the interaction in how we remember them.

I can recommend this to anyone who likes a warm, light, easy read with tons of heart and soul!




In the mid 1800s – when Walter James Augustus had been at the pinnacle of his living existence – he, like those around him, held to the concept of a finite life and an infinite afterlife, be it eternal bliss or equally, if not more so eternal, damnation. His belief was perhaps slightly weaker than those around him; he would not feel the need to chastise himself too greatly should he forget an evening’s prayer for instance, yet he never considered allowing his children to forgo their prayers, just in case. Like his fellow men, he had believed – somewhat naively, he now realised – that his passing would take him to his final resting place, where he would spend all eternity surrounded by those he loved. If only it were that straightforward.

– Hannah Lynn, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/07/28/the-afterlife-of-walter-augustus-hannah-lynn/