What Comes After by JoAnne Tompkins
At a time when our world can seem rooted in pitting ourselves against one another, this book is a beacon of hope. The brutal trauma of a murder/suicide of two teen boys who were lifelong friends leaves a small Washington town, and particularly the boys’ families, reeling. When 16- year-old Evangeline shows up alone and pregnant weeks after the tragedy, she holds a mysterious link to both boys’ past. We watch how three people start to form a bond that speaks to the depths and courage of our capacity to heal and to what it means to forge ahead when all seems lost. These characters are so real and true and complex. I recommend this book to anyone who is needing that reminder of just how redemptive the power of hope can be. — S.M.C.
