The story of Madison Stanton, dead of unknown causes at age 17, showcases debut author Huntley's skill at writing believable scenes of high school life. Floating in an oblivion she refers to as “is,” Madison bounces from scene to scene in her life, trying to understand how she died and figure out what “the Universe wants me to understand.” She is hampered by the fact that it is only through touching various objects she finds floating with her (her boyfriend's sweatshirt, a baby rattle, a hair clip) that she can connect with her past. The objects are items she lost in life, and she discovers that other spirits are also using the same means to revisit their lives. The premise feels somewhat contrived, and there's a random snapshot quality to the narrative as Madison gets sucked into and wrenched away from moments in her life, which can grow tedious. Nevertheless, Madison is an engaging protagonist, and the author builds a strong sense of tension; much of her story works well as slice-of-life realism. Huntley is an author worth watching. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)
The Everafter
Narrated by Tavia Gilbert
Amy HuntleyUnabridged — 5 hours, 5 minutes
The Everafter
Narrated by Tavia Gilbert
Amy HuntleyUnabridged — 5 hours, 5 minutes
Overview
Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this-she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can re-experience-and sometimes even change-moments from her life.
Her first kiss.
A trip to Disney World.
Her sister's wedding.
A disastrous sleepover.
In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life-and death.
This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments-and the strength of true love even beyond death.
Editorial Reviews
Gr 7–10—Seventeen-year-old Madison (Maddy) Stanton is confused, lonely, and dead in this novel (Balzer & Bray, 2009) by Amy Huntley. Where she is and how she got there is unknown, but in the expansive darkness that surrounds her, she discovers floating, luminescent objects she lost in her previous life. Maddy sees these items and feels that her "life is lying in a heap of memories piled on top of one another." Each object allows her (and listeners) to skip through her past life, proving that even seemingly insignificant items—a bracelet, a pine cone, a piece of popcorn—elicit memories. During her soul searching, Madison also discovers clues to her mysterious and sudden death. Tavia Gilbert is amazing in her ability to transition between numerous characters, from a silky, Southern drawl to a soused father to a complicated, contemplative teenager. This is as close as you can get to a full-cast narration with a solo voice. Huntley's fabulous, haunting debut novel is a ghost story, a mystery, and a love story that creates a unique twist on one of life's ponderables: what happens after we die? A compelling addition to teen collections.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH
Death is the new life. Stories about dead teens used to be mainly weepers about beautiful young girls with tragic diseases. Now along with vampires and zombies there are explorations of just what life after death might look like. First-time author Huntley's take on the topic is cleverly constructed and compelling. Madison, the 17-year-old narrator, recognizes the objects floating around her as ones she owned during her lifetime. Some experimentation leads her to realize that she can use them to re-experience and/or observe specific portions of her existence. Doing so helps her to answer the central question-how she died-as well as to reconnect with others in this formless void. Weaving concepts from physics and the poetry of Emily Dickinson into a series of (not chronological) vignettes from Madison's life works surprisingly well and presents a clear picture of relationships, choices and consequences. Refreshingly, Madison's death resulted from her effort to take care of a friend, not bad choices about drugs or alcohol. Intriguing and thought-provoking. (Fiction. YA)
In The Everafter, Maddy relives moments from her life which broke her heart, made her laugh uncontrollably, and forced her to grow. Amy Huntley’s book will do the same for you.” — Jay Asher, author of the New York Times bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why
“A mystery about life’s greatest mysteries, a love story that transcends death, a ghost story with real substance, and an altogether fascinating novel about the redemptive possibilities in lost things.” — Gabrielle Zevin, author of ELSEWHERE
“Stories about dead teens used to be mainly weepers about beautiful young girls with tragic diseases. Now along with vampires and zombies there are explorations of just what life after death might look like...Huntley’s take on the topic is cleverly constructed and compelling....Intriguing and thought-provoking.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Huntley is an author worth watching.” — Publishers Weekly
[The Everafter is] a book that will stick with readers, making them think no only about Maddy but also about the nature of life and death, time, possessions, and the interactions with both people and things that make us, us. — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)
This fresh take on a teen’s journey of self-exploration is a compelling and highly enjoyable tale. Huntley expertly combines a coming-of-age story with a supernatural mystery that keeps readers engrossed until the climactic ending. — School Library Journal
In The Everafter, Maddy relives moments from her life which broke her heart, made her laugh uncontrollably, and forced her to grow. Amy Huntley’s book will do the same for you.
[The Everafter is] a book that will stick with readers, making them think no only about Maddy but also about the nature of life and death, time, possessions, and the interactions with both people and things that make us, us.
A mystery about life’s greatest mysteries, a love story that transcends death, a ghost story with real substance, and an altogether fascinating novel about the redemptive possibilities in lost things.
[The Everafter is] a book that will stick with readers, making them think no only about Maddy but also about the nature of life and death, time, possessions, and the interactions with both people and things that make us, us.
Tavia Gilbert gives a haunting portrayal of Madison Stanton, a 17-year-old girl who has just discovered she’s dead. Madison is able to travel back to her life through her memories of the objects she has lost. The chapters alternate between these memories and Madison's musings while trapped in "Is," the name she has given her afterlife. Gilbert moves easily between these sections, relating Madison's earlier memories in a childlike voice and more recent memories in the youthful cadence of a teenager. Through her memories Madison pieces together her life, and Gilbert adds to the drama by changing her tone from disheartenment to acceptance, and finally excitement as Madison discovers the truth of her life, and her death. E.N. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940172379871 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Brilliance Audio |
| Publication date: | 09/29/2009 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 10 - 13 Years |
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