Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is a very mature book featuring three extremely messed-up teens. The characters fight and swear, and Will especially is nearly always drunk or on drugs (and sometimes both). Also, Liz and Will -- who believe they are half-brother and sister -- develop a romantic relationship, and even kiss.
Families can talk about other road trip movies and books. What is it about road trips that are so appealing in our culture? What do they symbolize for us? How is this book the same or different than other road trip stories you've read or seen?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
Readers will buckle in and along for the ride right from the start of THE AFTER LIFE. Just listen to the revved-up first lines of this offbeat but gripping book:
"'Nobody likes a quitter, Will.'
That was the last thing my uncle Pete said to me, right before he crashed an E-Z-Lern driver's ed car into a gas pump."
Each of the three teen characters is a mess, each in his or her own way, and it's easy to understand why: They're dealing with the death of loved ones, crazy families, and now -- thanks to a strange nugget in their dad's will -- each other. But, though they are messy and often jerks, strung out on drugs, alcohol, or just plain exhaustion, they are somehow easy to empathize with and root for. Likewise, their antics, like crashing a "New Democracy" party in the middle of nowhere, are outrageous, anxiety-producing, and still somehow humorous and compelling.
There is a lot about driving in this book: Will's uncle burned up in a car accident learning to drive, Will has yet to get his own license, and the whole book takes place on the road. Readers will understand the author's use of driving (or not driving) as symbol for control -- but they will find the car metaphor appropriate in another way, too: reading this book is a lot like watching a car wreck; It gets pretty ugly, but it's hard to look away.
From The Book
"Listen, Will, it's a great idea," Liz pleaded. "Kyle and I both need company while one of us drives and the other one sleeps. So even though you can't drive, you'll help! Plus, we can spend the time on th road getting to know each other as a family. You know? the way we always should have?" She bit her lip. "Will, you need your family now anyway. Your father and your uncle died within a year of each other."
"I guess you're right," Will said. "Wow." He smiled and clapped Kyle on the shoulder. "You know what, guys? You convinced me."
"Great!" Liz jumped up and hugged him.
God help us all, Kyle thought. His throat tightened.
Plot Summary:
Soon after Will meets his half-brother and sister for the first time, their rich father -- who Will barely knew -- dies. He leaves the twins mega-money, but offers Will a deal: He'll get two million if he drives an old Volvo from Florida to New York. Will doesn't have a license, so the twins drive, and they get to know one another along the way -- especially how hurt each of them really is.
Related Books:
More Road Trips:
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Guitar Highway Rose by Brigid Lowry
Car Trouble by Jeanne DuPrau
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Sexual ContentWill and his half-sister hook up on the dance floor in a drug-fueled haze. |
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Violence |
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LanguageLots of swearing, yelling, etc. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorWill and Liz have an unhealthy attraction. Will's uncle likely committed suicide, and the teens are without any solid role models. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoWill is almost always drunk, on drugs, or both. He and Liz take ecstacy, and even the real adults are drunk or on drugs. |
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