The Astonishing Color of After

What role does memory play in Leigh’s journey? How does her attitude about the past change throughout the novel?

How does Pan present the tension between obedience and self-expression in the experiences of Leigh and her female relatives?

To what extent are magic and fantasy important in the novel? How do these elements manifest, and what is their significance?

How does Pan portray the experience of being a mixed-race teen? What lessons can the reader derive from Leigh and Axel’s experiences?

Art and color are two motifs that recur throughout the novel. What is the significance of these elements? Consider the connection between art and color as they relate to Leigh’s personal development and her relationships with other characters.

The author writes, “it was important to me that while Leigh’s mother had experienced some terrible things in her life, there wasn’t a reason to explain her having depression” (465). To what extent does Pan show that Dory’s depression and her estrangement from her family are connected? Do you think she succeeded in her goal? Why or why not?

Discuss the role of language and communication in the novel. In particular, how does the use of Mandarin relate to Leigh’s experiences with her family?

How and to what effect does Pan portray the triumphs and limitations of romantic love in her novel?