Before and After Audiobook By Andrew Shanahan cover art

Before and After

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Before and After

By: Andrew Shanahan
Narrated by: Chris Devon
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About this listen

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
Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Fiction

What listeners say about Before and After

Highly rated for:

Unique Perspective Heartwarming Story Excellent Narration Likable Protagonist Thought-provoking Plot
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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!

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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.

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Fantastic story

My only real complaint is that you can hear the narrator texting or something before each chapter. Very mild distraction.

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Wonderful story

The narrator did a fantastic job and the writer took a weird concept and made it incredibly inspiring and well written. Fantastic.

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Loved it.

I read this book on a whim, didn’t even read the synopsis, just jumped in blind and I didn’t regret it.

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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.

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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.

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Great book!

Great end of the world story from a different view. Would definitely recommend to others

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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.

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Heartwarming

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

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