After Francesco

By: Brian Malloy

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

From acclaimed author Brian Malloy comes a stunning novel of love, friendship, and surviving the deepest loss, set in New York City and Minneapolis in 1988, at the peak of the AIDS crisis.

Two years after his partner, Francesco, died, 28-year-old Kevin Doyle is dusting off his one good suit jacket for yet another funeral, yet another loss in their close-knit group. They had all been young, beautiful, and living the best days of their lives, though they didn't know it. That was before New York City began to feel like a war zone, its horrors somehow invisible, and ignored by the rest of the world. Some people might insist that Francesco is in a better place now, but Kevin definitely isn't. He spends his days in a mind-numbing job and his evenings drunk in Francesco's old apartment, surrounded by memories. Francesco made everything look easy, and without him, Kevin struggles to keep going. And then one night, he stops trying.

When Kevin awakens in a hospital, he knows it's time to move back home to Minnesota and figure out how to start living again - without Francesco. With the help of a surviving partners support group and old and new friends, Kevin slowly starts to do just that. But an unthinkable family betrayal, and the news that his best friend is fighting for his life in New York, will force a reckoning and a defining choice.

Drawing on his experience as part of the AIDS generation, Brian Malloy brings authenticity, insight, sensitivity, and humor to a story that is distinct yet universal in its powerful exploration of heartbreak and recovery and the ways in which love can defy grief.

©2021 Brian Malloy (P)2021 Recorded Books

Beautiful

What an amazing story this was. Expertly read and paced. It reminds you life is so fragile and amazing and heartbreaking and breathtaking all at the same time. I was so young when AIDS was ravaging the world and we were faulted by the rest of the world. I wouldn't even meet an HIV positive person until my early 20's. This book reminds me how lucky I was... how much was lost and that you have to fight for yourself because so many times you might be alone. I cried a lot on this book.. but it was a good cry. One that we all need every now and again, to mourn the time when we almost lost everything. But we are still here and stronger than ever!!!!!

Beautiful tale of a time we must not forget

Thank you for writing this book. It is such a true statement on the 80s and the AIDS genocide. We must not forget what happened to our community, and we must always tells the stories of our community.

Get it!

I typically prefer psychological thrillers. I took a chance with this, and I am so glad I did what a heart wrenching real story.

Powerful and Beautiful

Easily one of the most powerful novels I have ever read. It makes me realize how lucky and grateful I am.

A message I Needed to hear

I need to hear of the struggles that came before me as it gives me hope in the times we are in.