The Afterlife by Gary Soto

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Soto, Gary.  2003. THE AFTERLIFE. Orlando: Hartcourt.  ISBN 01520447743

PLOT SUMMARY:

Seventeen-year-old high school senior, Jesus or "Chuy" as he is called, is excited to be at the club with the girl of his dreams.  But while in the club's restroom, he is brutally stabbed three times by a stranger he only recognizes as "Yellow Shoes."  Chuy transitions into the afterlife in which he is able to witness how his family, friends, and classmates react to his murder.  Along his journey, he meets other spirits who are also entering into the afterlife and together, they begin to examine their old lives and adjust to this new one.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Soto's story offers many cultural markers that connect this supernatural story to the Latino culture.  Perhaps the most authentic connection created by Soto is the use of the Spanish language and terms throughout the text.  Embedded throughout the text, Spanish slang terms such as "cruda" (hangover), "cabron" (bastard), "carnal" (blood brother) and "chale" (no way) are spoken by the characters; phrases such as "Sin verguenza!" and "que onda, homes" are used in their interactions.  Soto italicizes these words to signal to readers it is a Spanish term, and even provides a glossary of selected Spanish words and phrases at the end of the book.  Latino students who are familiar with many of these Spanish terms will easily connect to the story as they may be terms they use in their everyday lives or hear at home.

In addition to using Spanish terms, Soto subtly, yet masterfully places more cultural markers throughout the text to add to the authenticity and credibility of the story's setting in this Mexican-American culture.  Although seemingly mundane, details such as the name of Cuca's Restaurant; a store clerk reading People en Espanol; neighbors dunking pan dulce into their morning coffee; and a "Mexicano pushing a paleta cart" add to the richness and feel of Chuy's Mexican-American culture. 

As readers continue to delve into the story, they may be disappointed that many of the characters' physical descriptions are limited.  Chuy is simply described as being skinny and lanky while his grandfather is described as having "work-weathered skin."  However, to balance this out, Soto uses detailed descriptions of story's various settings within the community.  While the story takes place in Chuy's hometown of southeast Fresno, "homeland for Mexicans and Hmongs mostly", Soto describes barrio life authentically.  As Chuy visits his family after his death, he describes the area in which his cousin Eddie lives in as being shady and dangerous: "In this part of town, there was every chance of encountering a thug waiting in the shadows."  Alleyways are described as being littered with stray dogs sifting through dumpsters; "radios were crying out Mexican songs, and over that I heard the frying of something delicious - chicken tacos?  Carne asada? Chicharrones?  I was aware that I couldn't eat, but the aroma..."  Socio-economic status is also presented to young readers as Chuy visits his own neighborhood: "junky cars and houses leaning crookedly on their foundations.  The apartment buildings were hideous.  Laundry the color of defeated nations hung on lines.  The screens on windows were torn." For many young readers, this description of barrio life reflects a distinct cultural experience they may or may not be familiar with.  These authentic descriptions of life in southeast Fresno creates a powerful image of the experiences and feelings shared by many Hispanic sand Latinos.  They may see themselves, their friends, and their families in the realistic settings Soto so accurately creates.

Another cultural marker Soto uses in THE AFTERLIFE is giving vent to fantasy and the spirit world.  Within the first three pages of the book, Chuy is murdered and his body is released into the afterlife.  Thus, Soto takes young readers on an imaginative ride through the fantasy world of the afterlife.  Chuy describes this transition, "As I rose out of my body, I realized that the pain was gone."  Readers learn that Chuy's spirit is so light and wispy that the wind can carry it to various parts of the city.  As he spends more time in the spirit world, Chuy realizes he can make others feel his presence, changing the temperature in a room, and sending chills down their body: "I possessed an invisible touch that made people feel me".  However, readers are never told why different parts of his spirit body, like his feet, arms, and torso, begin to disappear.  Chuy guesses it is because his time in this transitional spirit world is coming to a close so he earnestly makes his final visits to family and friends.  His journey in this afterlife may cause young students to pause and reflect upon their own lives, and consider the importance and value of family and loved ones. 

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST: " Soto has remade Our Town into Fresno, California, and he not only paints the scenery brilliantly but also captures the pain that follows an early death. In many ways, this is as much a story about a hardscrabble place as it is about a boy who is murdered. Both pulse with life and will stay in memory."

THE LORGNETTE - HEART OF TEXAS REVIEWS: "Quick moving and full of slang, this is a book that will appeal to Hispanic teens. The glossary at the end explains many of the Spanish terms for those who are unfamiliar with words like "cholo," "mi abuelo," and "novio." This companion novel to Buried Onions will be popular with students who like to read about murder, ghosts, or mysteries. The added bonus of the Hispanic influence will allow some readers to see characters in a book that are similar to people in their own lives."

KIRKUS REVIEWS: " Soto writes with a touch as light as Chuy's ghost and with humor, wonderment, and a generosity toward life."

CONNECTIONS

* Have students read other books by Gary Soto

Soto, Gary.  BASEBALL IN APRIL AND OTHER STORIES.  ISBN 0152025677

Soto, Gary.  BURIED ONIONS.  ISBN 0152062653

Soto, Gary.  PETTY CRIMES.  ISBN 0152054375

Soto, Gary.  TAKING SIDES.  ISBN 0152046941