Afterwards

**Afterwards** by Rosamund Lupton is a captivating novel that quickly became both a Sunday Times and top-ten bestseller. This significant work follows the success of her previous novels, including **Sister**, **The Quality of Silence**, and **Three Hours**. The story plunges into action as a school is engulfed in flames under a clear blue sky. Grace, a determined mother, notices the smoke and realizes her daughter Jenny is trapped inside. Racing against the clock, she bravely charges into the inferno to save her child. What follows is a gripping narrative where Grace not only seeks out the person responsible for the fire but also grapples with enormous challenges to safeguard her loved ones from further harm. Throughout this arduous journey, Grace discovers the immense depths of both her physical capabilities and unconditional love. Critics have lauded Lupton's work for its emotional depth and masterful storytelling. Jeffery Deaver praises it for its "uncompromising emotional impact" and "poetic style," ensuring it will resonate with any reader. The Seattle Times describes the novel as a "riveting blend" of various genres, while The Guardian appreciates its insightful exploration of ambition's dark side. Lupton's ability to intertwine suspense and familial bonds captures the essence of a compelling psychological thriller that is both bold and intriguing. This paperback edition, brought to readers by Little, Brown and Company in 2011, includes 480 pages and has the dimensions of 19.7 x 12.7 x 3.2 cm. It's available in English under the ISBN: 9780749942168.