Review: Life goes on
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 9, 2014
This book presents a unique vision of what happens when someone dies unexpectedly, from the point of view of both those left behind and the one who died. Yet it’s neither a ghost story nor a religious exposition.Therese and Gino grow slowly through the book as they each deal with their grief and sense of disassociation. We see the baby steps as they move towards a new life, probably with each other, probably in a new country. There’s a great deal of detail here, but it seems necessary to walk us through the slow, agonizing forward-motion of healing. I found Therese very well-written and believable, and her story, to me, was the crux of the book.Meanwhile, Peter struggles to figure out what has happened and how he’s going to fit into his new world. Peter’s journey, oddly enough, was not that interesting to me. This vision of the afterlife was odd and not particularly satisfying. It seemed hollow and goalless.This book is an exploration of mental growth and journeys. Nothing much really happens, and yet, by the end, we know Therese intimately and feel a sense of satisfaction as she is able to continue her life.The end was a bit abrupt after all the detail and immersion of the rest of the book. I would have been okay stopping before that part, knowing that everyone is going to keep on keeping on until it’s time for them to move on.I’d recommend this book for those who’ve experienced the sudden loss of a loved one and those who enjoy literary fiction that explores the psyche.