Life After

A Novel

By: Katie Ganshert

Narrated by: Joe Hempel, Stacey Glemboski

It could have been me.

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later, a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.

A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing, and she is tormented by grief - by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.

Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his 12-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake.

In Life After, Katie Ganshert’s most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in this emotionally resonant tale.

©2017 Katie Ganshert (P)2018 Katie Ganshert

Wonderful Story!

What a fantastic story! This book works through so many difficult topics and handles them with grace and dignity. Katie's writing is truly engaging and heart - wrenching. I loved every second of this audio book...from the narration to the redemption to the sweet romance!

It was just ok

I had a hard time staying with it at first. It went on and on with no real juice. Of course, I loved the perfect ending but no suspense. I knew it would go in that direction from the beginning. Unrealistic arguments that could have been resolved with very few words left me wanting more suspense and juice. I was great PG entertainment in the end so it did its job.

Loved it!!

This book was so original, I absolutely loved the concept. Imagine you are in a horrible life altering even where you are the only one who survives out of over 20 people. How do you go on? Why were you saved? These questions and so many more play out in this beautifully written novel.

I loved so much about this novel. Each and every character had a purpose, something about their life added to the richness of the story as it unfolded. I also loved that although it is a Christian story it is one that will appeal to a diverse group of readers. I never felt like the Christian theme was not genuine. It was not forced and played out very naturally.

Up until the very end of this book I was going to rate it a 4, I thought it was very good, but was missing that extra special thing to push it over the edge for me into a 5. Then Ina Mae spoke and the story she told touched me to much it brought me to tears. And then of that wasn’t enough this one little nugget left such an impact on my heart, “Circumstances do not change who God is.” And the simple verse, “Jesus wept,” has never meant so much.

I feel so blessed to have listened to this novel. The characters came alive in a way I’m not sure they would have if I had just read it. I highly recommend this story. I hope it leaves you with the same peace and hope it left me.

One of the Best Christian Fiction Books!

Wow! I loved this book. The two person narration made it come ALIVE and the writing and story drew me right in. Filled with twists and turns that are unexpected so real and completely believable. Kudos to Katie Ganshert for this phenomenal novel!!!

Complex emotions and story

There is so MUCH to this story. It really shows how connected our lives can be to one another. It was beautiful. It definitely showed how one’s perspective can really skew our understanding of events. Even ‘stalking’ someone’s life doesn’t give you a full picture of it. We can learn quite a bit from others, if we’re willing to take the time to listen (or read). I really like the lessons Autumn learned throughout the book, but especially at the end.

Just the right amount of suspense

Where does Life After rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It’s near the top. I think this story works really well on audio. It passes the “driveway test” (I wanted to sit in my car and keep listening after I got home.) I enjoyed the alternating male and female narration.

What other book might you compare Life After to and why?

I don’t think I have read anything quite like this book.

Which character – as performed by Joe Hempel and Stacey Glemboski – was your favorite?

Autumn Manning. I thought her obsessive tendencies and her sometimes paralyzing anxiety were very realistic for someone who had just experienced a tragedy of such magnitude. She seemed very authentic and relatable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It could have been me.

Any additional comments?

This was my first book by Katie Ganshert, and I am certain I will be coming back for more. I think this book works very well on audio as the plot keeps the story moving along, and the alternating narrators help the listener to keep everything straight.

Grabs your emotions!

Life After grabbed my emotions at the very beginning and didn’t let go!! As the lone survivor of a horrific train explosion, Autumn Manning suffers from massive survivor guilt! Life After does an excellent job at exploring the lives of the family members of those who died and how Autumn’s interaction with first Reece Elliot and then others, brings her peace. When secrets come to light, healing can truly begin. Excellent narration of an outstanding story! Highly recommended!

This was a great book!!

This book grabbed my interest from the first page! It was my first audio book, and the second book by Katie Ganshert. I loved how the narrators brought the characters to life for me- how their voices changed with the characters. The story line was very real, I found myself laughing and crying at times. I was surprised at the twists it took! I kept thinking about this book long after it ended. How God does truly have a plan for each of us!! I won the audio code for this book. The opinions are my own.

Loved the dual perspectives

I enjoyed this story of the journey of a survivor of a tragedy, in which 22 other people did not survive. However, Autumn Manning is not living; she's merely existing. The dual perspectives of Autumn and Paul Elliott, the husband of one of the victims, provide insight into complicated lives and our relationship with God. Highly recommended.

great read.

very easy to stay interested. good story. good voice. would listen to it again.