SuitabookNot After Everything
Michelle Levy
- Reading
- Consider reading alongside the teenager rather than introducing it unexpectedly.
- Themes
- Grief and recovery: Tyler’s mother dies by suicide, and he withdraws from his previous plans while trying to cope with grief. The story appears to treat recovery as possible, but Tyler’s route through grief and the book’s final judgement about it are not fully clear.
- Abuse and choice: Tyler avoids a father described as physically, emotionally and verbally abusive, while lacking financial support and considering whether to leave. The father’s behaviour is presented as harmful and frightening, while Tyler’s possible departure is framed as a route towards living more fully.
- Support and agency: Tyler reconnects with Jordyn at work; she listens without judgement and offers him a loving home and family. Jordyn’s listening and family support are portrayed positively, while Tyler still has to decide how to act on the opportunity offered.
- Worth knowing
- Be aware of suicide, severe physical, emotional and verbal abuse, financial neglect, grief, on-page sex, crude sexual references and frequent strong swearing before choosing when to read it.