Life After Life, a novel by Jill McCorkle

Don’t you just love catching little glimpses into other people’s lives? This novel focuses on a group of people, ages 12 to 85, who are thrown together by circumstances. The author reveals life-altering moments from each of their lives before they are thrown together. Some seem like small incidents, but turn out to carry great meaning, and can sculpt the content of their character. Once together, they are all learning from each other more about themselves, and about life, and about death. Isn’t it wonderful how you keep learning and growing at all ages?

This author skillfully walks the tightrope between humor and sorrow, and successfully delivers a story so real that at times you’ll shed tears from laughter and at times from empathy. The central characters include several residents of Pine Haven Retirement Center in a fictional town in North Carolina. Also included are the hospice volunteer, a worker at Pine Haven, and a neighborhood girl who becomes friends with the residents. Each character’s story is so interesting; it just grabs you as it unfolds.

The reader is treated to narratives by each character. But then you also read narratives of each character from others’ perspectives. Sweet 85-year-old retired school teacher Sadie; Stanley Stone, once a prominent lawyer; Marge Walker, widow of a judge; humorous Toby, also a retired school teacher; and mysterious Rachel Silverman. Then also the thoughts and notes from Joanna Lamb, the hospice volunteer. C.J. is the pierced and tattooed young single mother beautician. Abby is the 12-year-old neighbor and friend. The author paints a realistic picture of everyone’s strengths, weaknesses, defenses, endearments, joys and regrets. For those who take their final parting during the book, we also are privileged to glimpse the final thoughts of the dying. And we see how they are remembered.

The author was inspired to write this novel by her own personal experiences, which she discussed in an interview with NPR. She was by her father’s side as he was dying, and at the moment of his death. Later, she has been by her mother’s side as her mother suffers from dementia and lives in a nursing home.

The action of the overall story plot moves forward with a couple of unexpected twists. Seeing how the characters react is touching. I find that this book creates a stirring feeling that comes from the sensation of community, and also from the underlying sustenance of hope.

“The longest and most expensive journey you will ever make is the one to yourself. Some people never even purchase a ticket. Some only get halfway. Some stand like Moses glimpsing the Promised Land. For some, that’s about as good as getting there.”

Thereby hangs a tale . . . .

– By Wendy Kendall

Wendy Kendall is a writer, project manager and volunteer at the Edmonds Library. She’s enjoyed living in Edmonds for over 20 years. Follow her via her blog here or on Twitter @wendywrites1.