After Melanie

June 1, 2019

When 13-year-old Melanie dies of an aneurysm, her parents and older brother struggle to cope with their grief, and a heavy strain is placed on Judith and David's marriage. The son, Brian, focuses on his future with his fiancée; their solid relationship contrasts with the "together but alone" state of his parents' union. David finds comfort and empathy from his colleague; Judith builds a relationship with a former neighbor who is a widower. While the first half of the book is constant grief and depression, the plot picks up halfway through when these extramarital relationships become deeper, and the stakes of what can be lost loom. The sedate writing is cluttered with details of the synagogue's thrift shop, where Judith starts volunteering--she reflects on the possessions that a person can accumulate--but it is also brightened with literary quotes from some of Judith's favorite authors. VERDICT Goldreich (The Bridal Chair) creates a realistic portrait of a marriage slowly sinking in quicksand. Recommended if readers are willing to trudge through all the sadness.--Sonia Reppe, Stickney-Forest View P.L., IL

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2019
Judith and David's lives have been cleaved in two, before and after their 13-year-old daughter Melanie died suddenly. Their lives had been happy, filled with joy and laughter. Now their lives are quiet and sad. Judith and David grow apart in their grief, unable to stretch across the divide of after. At the suggestion of her therapist, Judith begins to volunteer at her synagogue's thrift shop. There she works with an old friend, a recent widower, while David begins spending more time with a new co-worker who has suffered her own loss. Despite their love for one another, Judith and David are growing further apart, healing on their own rather than together. It will take a near-tragedy involving their older son to ultimately bring them together again. Goldreich (The Bridal Chair, 2015) presents an honest and moving portrait of grieving parents and the different paths they take to find healing and closure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)