Before and After

By: Andrew Shanahan

Narrated by: Chris Devon

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The best-selling sci-fi thriller that blends healthy living and lots of dying

Ben Stone is terrified. He's terrified because he weighs 601 pounds and needs his right leg amputating. He's terrified because a crane will shortly lift him from his fourth-floor flat and lower him 44 feet to an ambulance waiting below. He's terrified because he hasn't been outside in nine years, and he doesn't know who will look after his beautiful dog.

He needn't worry, though, because the world is about to end.

©2020 Andrew Shanahan (P)2022 Andrew Shanahan

Wow!

A horror story I wouldn't have ever thought of. I mean, of course there is always end of the world stories but the perspective here.... top notch. Loved it!

An unexpected hero

This story was nothing like one would expect from a SHTF story. Our “hero” is not some special forces military vet, or homesteading prepper who has been preparing for years. No, he is the furthest thing from that, an obese homebody who can’t even fit out of his home. Seeing the end of the world through his eyes was an amazing change of pace from most books and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

A new twist on the end of humanity

This is a type of “zombie” story that’s focused on survival rather than violence and conflict (there’s a bit of that). A story about staying put. It’s really a story about a boy (young adult) and his dog. Sad and strange but triumphant and leaves you wanting the rest of the story-I hope there’s a second bookI loved it.

Excellent Genre Subversion

Most “zombie” books are pulp. Predictable. Only original in their mechanical variations. Narrative arcs so well tread they can be read in your sleep. When and where there is social commentary it’s a rehash of Dawn of the Dead.

This is a zombie book that’s not about action or consumerism or a nihilistic wish for the fall of civilization and the promise of a blank slate.

This is a book about finding self-worth.

It’s not Shakespeare and it’s not a genre subversion necessarily of the same depth as Vonnegut or Atwood, but it doesn’t need to be. Finding self-worth is a simple goal (even when it’s hard) and simple story doesn’t take away from its value.

This is the kid of story a person can benefit from personally, which makes it a rare gem in its genre.

Wow

This book was good the entire way through! The narrator was perfect. It came full circle to the very end... I'm so happy I came across this read. Makes me want to change my life for the better!

Wow...

This was unexpectedly good. I enjoyed Ben's character development and the flashbacks of why he was the way he was. For a zombie-like apocalypse story, this was unique.

A Challenging Take on post apocalypse

Beautifully written. I have struggled with and overcome severe obesity and it really hurts reading the chapters during his flashbacks because it's so relatable. It's very empowering to have a heavy character overcome such extreme adversity and learn about just what he's capable of. If you are triggered by fat phobic dialog, this may be a challenging read, but absolutely worth it.

Heartwarming

This book was totally heartwarming. Ben Stone is an amazing main character. Can’t wait to listen to the next book!

A must !

I loved this book. It made me question - what if you're too big to leave the house and the world ends around you, leaving you alive and having to figure out WTF happened, as well as how to carry on?! It's a fascinating and fun story with a whole load of heartwarming details along the way.

A heartwarming journey of diabetes and the dead

Shanahan and the narrator make this a near perfect tale full of fun and heartache but ultimately, warmth!