After Annie

The prolific Quindlen (Alternate Side) captures the emotional and practical struggle families face when a loved one dies. Annie Winter passes away unexpectedly just before dinner one cold February night, leaving her family stunned and confused. Husband Bill doesn’t know how to help himself, much less his children, and he gets no pity from his mother, who never liked Annie. Annie’s sister Cathy is on hand but can’t leave her own life for long. Annie’s best friend, recovering from addiction, relapses as she grieves. Ali, Annie’s oldest child, is forced to take on much of the day-to-day responsibility for her brothers and the household, but just keeping food on the table is a new experience for her. Ali’s school has mandatory counseling sessions for students when a parent dies, and it is this counselor and her empathy that finally help the family move forward. Narrator Gilli Messer gives each character a unique voice, shining in her expert depiction of the children’s vulnerability and grief.