THE WORLD AFTER ALICE by Lauren Aliza Green

4 stars

Alice, a 16-year-old prodigy jumped to her death from the George Washington Bridge: fast forward over a decade later and her brother Benji is marrying Alice’s closest childhood friend Morgan in Maine. The nuptials bring together a fractured and still grieving family:  Benji’s parents Linnie and Nick who have divorced and seldom speak; Nick’s young second wife Cora who’s looking to get pregnant and has no idea that Nick has actually lost his high-paying job six months prior; Morgan’s divorced doctor dad Peter who has a long burning flame for Linnie; Linnie who’s brought her new boyfriend Ezra, and Benji’s grandmother who has dementia. During the wedding weekend, each character wrestles with internal suffering and unresolved emotions around Alice’s death, bringing a pall and tension to what should be a joyous event. Most disturbing of all, Linnie’s new boyfriend Ezra who’s a college philosophy professor may or may not have had an illicit affair with Alice when she was his student. Flashbacks help illuminate how Alice’s death impacted each person and provide depth to the characterizations. Despite beautiful writing, the somber mood never lifts. And much like the permanent damage faults left behind in the lives of others after a young person’s suicide, the tragic specter of Alice hovers above them all.

Thanks to Penguin Group, Viking, and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.