Before, During, After

Before, During, After follows the relationship between Natasha Barrett, a young woman working for a senator, and Michael Faulk, an Episcopal priest who has left the ministry. Their romance develops in Memphis during the months leading up to September 11, 2001. On the morning of the attacks, Natasha is in Jamaica for a friend's wedding while Michael is in New York. The events of that day become intertwined with a traumatic personal incident Natasha experiences while away, creating parallel tragedies that reverberate through their lives. The narrative moves between the periods before and after 9/11, tracking how both national and private catastrophes alter the trajectory of their relationship. The couple must navigate their individual responses to trauma while trying to preserve their connection to each other. The novel examines how large-scale historical events intersect with personal tragedy, and questions whether love can survive when trust and communication break down. Bausch crafts an intimate portrait of both collective and individual grief.

Readers found this 9/11-centered romance compelling but uneven. Many highlighted Bausch's intimate character development and emotional depth between the main couple. Several reviews praised the parallel narratives of personal trauma alongside national tragedy. Readers appreciated: - Raw, realistic portrayal of relationships - Strong dialogue and character interactions - Atmospheric descriptions of New York and Memphis - Complex exploration of trust and communication Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Overuse of backstory and flashbacks - Some found the 9/11 connection felt forced - Abrupt ending left questions unresolved Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (384 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (47 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.3/5 (21 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Bausch excels at showing how personal and national tragedies intersect, but the story gets bogged down by too many narrative detours." - Goodreads reviewer

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📚 The novel interweaves a love story with the events of 9/11, exploring how national tragedy intersects with personal trauma 🖋️ Richard Bausch wrote this book, his 12th novel, when he was in his late 60s, drawing from decades of experience examining human relationships in crisis 🗽 The protagonist Natasha, an aspiring Episcopal priest, experiences her own personal horror in Jamaica while the Twin Towers fall in New York, creating parallel narratives of trauma ✍️ Bausch has won multiple prestigious awards including the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction and is considered one of America's master storytellers 🎭 The book explores how people who weren't physically present at 9/11 were nonetheless profoundly affected by it, examining the ripple effects of collective trauma on intimate relationships