All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi
A Story of Loss and Complex Family Ties
This is a profound, deeply personal read—less about enjoyment, more about emotional recognition. Assigning a numerical rating felt impossible, but the visible talent of the author ultimately earned it 3.5 stars.
The story centers on Winter, a Korean American high school senior whose life is defined by the long-ago abandonment by her father, Sung. When he suddenly re-enters her life, the resulting conflict is an emotional crucible: Winter must decide if a purely transactional relationship is worth the risk of more heartbreak.
The family dynamics are where this book truly shines and where my personal connection was strongest. I adored the grandmother but held a deep dislike for the mother, yet the most complex emotional thread was with the estranged father, Sung. As someone deeply rooted in the disability community, I felt a strong understanding for why he felt compelled to leave them the second time, even though his initial abandonment remains an unforgivable act. This nuanced portrayal of his desperation and choice resonated powerfully.
I connected strongly with Winter’s attempts to build a protective shell against the universal pain of loss. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that every form of grief is painful, and that sometimes, we must risk connection to heal.
While I struggled with the short chapter structure, the emotional complexity and the raw, honest depiction of family estrangement make this a thoroughly worthwhile, if painful, reading experience. I’m excited to see what Joanne Yi writes next.
