SOURCE: Eder, Richard. “Troubled Family Needs a Reality Check.” Los Angeles Times (3 September 1992): E4.

In the following review, Eder argues that Before and After is a compelling story, but believes that Brown fails to adequately develop the majority of her characters.

A fortunate family, the Reisers [in Before and After]. Carolyn is a successful and devoted pediatrician in the bucolic New Hampshire town to which they have moved. They have added neat modernizing touches to their old farmhouse. Ben makes sculptures out of “found objects”; he is fulfilled, although he doesn't make much money. On the other hand, he makes gourmet meals and is an eager if compulsive househusband. They have two bright teen-agers, even if Jacob seems a bit absent, and Judith, his younger sister, is moody.

Nice people, all in all, and a nice life. They pretty much fit in with their small-town neighbors, although a...