After the End - July book club

It was a lovely surprise to receive a copy of your book Clare.
It took me a long time to read this book, I kept picking it up, reading a few pages and then I'd put it down. It stirred up a lot of emotions in me and I hope my family and myself never have to go through a similar experience.

My question...Do you have plans to write another book? If so, will the subject be personal again?

Thank you.

Thank you for the book. I found it difficult to read, My granddaughter died when she was young having spent years requiring 24 hour care, knowing she would never live a normal life. The descriptions of care were spot on,Did Clare keep a journal or how was she able to recall such detail?
Happy to say my daughter and her husband have another child who has become a special needs teacher.

Oh - also, like others have said, I did find the 2nd half of the book rather difficult to follow at times. I had to keep looking back to check which storyline I was following. I found this distracted slightly from the impact of the content. Why did you decide to do it that way Clare?

Pip says 'Someone threw a grenade into our lives', and of course such is life... A heartbreaking scenario unfolds - and obviously written from the heart. Somehow the main characters get through it and survive, although cannot be the same people afterwards. Thank you Clare for being so brave in delving into this most difficult subject, especially given your own tragic experiences. I once asked my late father his advice about something, and he said that any decision I made could be the right one... so true. I'd like to ask Clare if she found writing this book therapeutic for her.

Thank you for the book. I found it a very difficult read with the subject matter. Pip and Mat had a very difficult decision to make. The first part of the book was gripping but the second part lost its way in my opinion. I did like the consultant character. She seemed very 'human'.
My question to the author is 'Why did you go back and forth in the second part?'

A thought provoking read, around a very difficult subject, clearly written from the standpoint of experience. Having a critically ill child makes you fight every decision, because you feel that what is happening should not be happening. The young are supposed to be exploring the world, having adventures, looking forward having "firsts" instead you can only see what will not happen, no first day at school, no first love, graduations, walking a beloved daughter down the aisle, watching that person develop and perhaps create a future generation. My question to Clare is did the writing prove cathartic, did having a similar experience mean it was easier to write about and come to terms with what you had experienced. The subject matter will create much discussion at book group

Although I was apprehensive about reading this book, fearing that it might be too upsetting, I'm glad that I did finally pick it up. I found myself solidly behind Pip and Leila, wavering when they did, but ultimately feeling that they knew what was best for Dylan. Did you intend to sway your readers that way, Clare?

I feel awful about this but I couldn’t read all of the first part. I not quite sure why ..... I think in a way I felt a voyeur on Pip and Max’s grief. But I didn’t skip much and picked it up when it was clear Max and Pip didn’t agree on treatment for Dylan. Ugh the characters came across really well. I enjoy books that move about; it keeps me on my toes. Unlike many I probably preferred the second part although wasn’t too sure about the ending. My question is “Clare, did you find one strand easier to write than the other?”

I didn’t win a copy of ‘After the End’ but another Gransnetter and I exchange books if one or other of us is successful in the monthly draw!

Like other Gransnetters, I read this book in a couple of days. I quickly became engrossed in the lives of the central characters Pip, Max and their young, desperately ill, son Dylan. They were portrayed with heart-breaking realism and I did feel drawn into life in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

In my opinion, the book was very cleverly constructed. The first 25 chapters - ‘BEFORE’ - highlight the strength of the relationship between Pip and Max, the deterioration in Dylan’s condition and the dedication of the PICU staff. Events are told in a straightforwardly and in chronological order. This section culminates in the Court Case held to determine Dylan’s future treatment, as his parents disagree on what course of action would be in Dylan’s best interest.

The outcome of the Court Case is never disclosed, rather the second part of the book - ‘AFTER’ - moves between two different scenarios. In one, the outcome of the Court Case is that there should be no further medical intervention to prolong Dylan’s life (in line with Pip’s belief that Dylan should be allowed to die), whereas in the other the Court decision is to allow Dylan to travel to US for proton beam treatment (in line with Max’s belief that while there is any possibility that any treatment will prolong Dylan’s life, it should be explored).

Chapters alternately progress the story from Pip’s and Max’s points of view, Dylan has no further treatment and Dylan travels to US respectively. The timelines are not chronological and the dialogue twists and turns between present events and those in the past which still bear influence. I found this style of writing quite fascinating and, although requiring concentration on whose story was being played out and when, I found this added to, rather than distracted from, the story.

Undoubtedly, this was a challenging book for Clare Mackintosh to write, just as it was at times challenging to read. However, I feel the outcome is an important and successful book which will stay with me for some considerable time.

I would like to ask Clare how important she thought it was to give one of the PICU doctors, Leila, a significant role not only in the ‘BEFORE’ section of the book, but also in the aftermath of the Court decision.

Unfortunately I was away till almost the end of July and so didn’t pick up my copy till late and have still not finished ‘ After the End’ but just wanted to say thank you for my copy. This is not the sort of book I would normally have picked up and found the early part difficult to read. However, I am enjoying the second part and find it quite gripping. Should finish soon.

Thank you so much for my copy,I have had to take my time reading it as I had a recent eye op and was struggling.
What an unputdownable book once I got into it.
Lets hope the author has found peace going down the route she choose everyone has a different opinion obviously and I am not sure how I would react.
How do you go about deciding what topic to write about is it very difficult or do you look for personal knowledge topics.

A thought-provoking book. Like others, I found the first half engrossing but struggled somewhat with the double thread of the second half. In fact, I found I was disappointed by the ending; it did not ring true to me.

I understand that the author has had a similar heartbreaking experience.

We none of us know how we would react in similar circumstances. I personally feel I would think as Pip did, but who knows how you would feel if it was your own beloved child?

My only question to the author would be why she chose the ending she did, when the two strands up till then were indicating totally different outcome?

I have to be honest and say that I wasn't keen on starting this book, expecting overly emotional and run-of-the-mill themes. However I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to commend the author on her take of such a poignant storyline; the book was written in such a heartfelt and accessible way. The first half I felt was the stronger though: clearly written, engrossing, relatable and meaningful. I did get rather lost in the second part of the book as dates, characters and events seemed to intermingle, meaning some frustrating re-reading for me. I do understand the author's intention, contrasting two possible court outcomes, because of course, once a decision is taken, you never get to know the consequences of the 'what if...' I hope that writing this book was cathartic and helped to soothe, even if only a little, the heartache the author herself has been through.

Thank you for allowing me to read your book Clare.
I agree with all the previous comments ...that this is such an emotional read that no-one could fail to be moved by it.
Unusual for a book to have two endings...
Which ending do you think is the most likely to have happened ?
Which ending do you prefer ?
I have read that writing the book has helped you to cope with the grief of losing your own child.
Has your husband read it ?
Did it help him in the same way ?
I hope you don't object to my asking these questions.
I was so pleased to hear that you now have two more children and have settled in Wales.
The Welsh language looks very difficult...
Has it been easy for all of you to learn the language ?
I have enjoyed all your other books and look forward to the next one. Thank you again.

I read this book in a couple of days as found it hard to put down. I wouldn't say that it's an enjoyable read but I felt it was extremely well written and researched, plus of course the subject matter being so close to the author's heart makes it very poignant. I would definitely read any more books that Clare writes. Have now passed it to another gransnetter.

I found this book very emotive and extraordinarily well written. For a book with this subject matter it was so compelling a read. Right until the very end I thought it might have been inspired by the Charlie Gard trauma and then read that at the end Clare also suffered a similar tragedy and obviously this is why it is so well written and so very readable. I found this book so moving and have passed it on to my family to read.
All I can say is ..well done Clare for writing so sympathetically about such an emotive issue

A though provoking book and what was clear in the first part that it was written with great understanding of how painful it must be to have a child in intensive care, I later realised the authors tragic experience.
I thought that the doctor’s position was well portrayed also.
I found the second half of the book a little difficult at first to follow and somewhat less realistic but feel it portrays that life throws up horrendous times which somehow people manage to move on from in their own way.
It is a book not written for entertainment I feel but is extremely thought provoking and well worth persevering with.
My question is did Clare talk to her son’s doctors as in the book because she has portrayed the doctor’s position so well.

A great book to read. I felt for Pip through out but not for Max. He had a typical male attitude .

After The End if you are still reading it, there might be spoilers - I found the story to be interesting, especially with the contemporary element of Max turning so quickly to social media to seek help (including financial help) and possibly to assuage his feelings of powerlessness, and the monster that it can - and did in this case - unleash. The way the author writes about this is authentic and quite terrifying - at a time when were I in that situation privacy and quiet would be high on my list of priorities. Horrifying to think that strangers would get involved in something like this for the wrong reasons.

I liked the Iranian consultant character and found the story around her to be really interesting too. I was aware throughout reading the book that Dylan in the hospital bed was "absent", passive, and that made an impact on me as a reader, telling its own story.

I struggled however with the dual scenario in the second half of the book, I would have preferred a fixed outcome to end the book without any detours. I have actually put it aside for now and will pick it up again in a day or two.

I then Googled and read an interview with Clare Mackintosh about her twin boys in NICU and the terrible decision her and her husband had to face, and I understood better about After The End and why she wrote it. My heart goes out to the author and her husband. How very hard life can be sometimes.

I don't really have any questions for the author, having read further about the book and interviews and articles. I just want to say that I understand why this book poured out of her and when the time was right. An interesting and thought-provoking book.

Thank you for sending me a copy of this book.
I was I initially concerned that I would find the subject matter too upsetting but in fact I did not find this to be the case. I was quite engrossed by the first part if the book and found the writing style appealing and believable. However I really did not like the way the second half of the book was structured. I often only have time to read in short chunks and ended up confused and frustrated, so much so that at Chapter 40 I am the verge of giving up.
I feel great sympathy for Clare's personal situation and hope that writing this book has been helpful for her in some way. Unfortunately I did not find myself relating to the characters of Pip and Max and think that the disjointed nature of the second half made this worse.
My question for Clare is why she chose to structure it this way and not write the two alternative paths as separate/discreet parts or at least have longer segments for each timeline?

I enjoyed the book but as others have said the second part took a bit of concentration. I liked the idea of the different outcomes and the final twist.
My question is did you ever intend to have a verdict but found it too hard to write?

I read this in one sitting, desperate to know the court’s decision. Ironic really as you never do. But thoroughly enjoyed the unusual presentation of alternative endings. Certainly it made the reading more complex but fleshed out the story and characters.
Thought it was a brave decision of the author to revisit such a personal story. Would like to ask her if it helped exorcise the demons of such a loss?

I started this book not knowing what to expect or how I would feel as we were just making a similar decision for my lovely mil who has just had a massive stroke.
When I got to the second half of the book at first it took some getting used to the two threads - one from pips point of view and one from Max’s - but I found it gave an insight in how the ruling outcomes could have been. I wondered if knowing the outcome made Max’s story less real.
Claire did it take a lot of courage to write about your personal experience and has it helped being able to share your experience with others?

This is a story of two distinct parts; the before and after. I won’t run through the plot as I don’t want to let slip any spoilers but I did find it engaging and involving, particularly the second part and the movement across time and people and the final twist at the end.
My question for Claire is ‘Have you considered writing/have you written about your own experience.’