A review by dmsreader09
After the Fire by Marlaine Delargy, Henning Mankell

dark mysterious reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this book becuase of the fact that the arson/fires were secondary to the fears of the narrator, and the fact I hated the narrator, but understood his fears perfectly and sympathized. The way depression was handled in this book was fascinating, where you had some characters fold into themselves and try to make everyone else miserable, while others were grasping for a lifeline to try and pull themselves out, but ultimately failing. Despite the fact that I didn't like the narrator at all, I still LOVED how it dealt with the fear of growing old and dying, as well as just the pervasive loneliness you can feel as you do grow old. I don't think I've ever described my books as quiet before, but this novel was quiet. I really can't think of any other way to describe it.