Book Review: The Astonishing Color of After

"The Astonishing Color of After" by Emily X.R. Pan is not a light read. In the aftermath of her mother's suicide, Leigh is certain her mother embodies a beautiful red bird that is sometimes there, and sometimes not.

On top of that, Leigh meets her grandparents for the first time in Taiwan, and she isn't fluent in their language.

This book alternates between past and present, real and dream-like sequences, and a burgeoning romance that may or may not be real. The language is beautiful, with color saturating the pages.