Kevin Brockmeier
Paperback | Pages: 252 pages Rating: 3.67 | 10769 Users | 1788 Reviews
Declare About Books The Brief History of the Dead
| Title | : | The Brief History of the Dead |
| Author | : | Kevin Brockmeier |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 252 pages |
| Published | : | January 9th 2007 by Vintage (first published September 8th 2003) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Fantasy. Science Fiction. Novels |
Ilustration As Books The Brief History of the Dead
From Kevin Brockmeier, one of this generation's most inventive young writers, comes a striking new novel about death, life, and the mysterious place in between. The City is inhabited by those who have departed Earth but are still remembered by the living. They will reside in this afterlife until they are completely forgotten. But the City is shrinking, and the residents clearing out. Some of the holdouts, like Luka Sims, who produces the City’s only newspaper, are wondering what exactly is going on. Others, like Coleman Kinzler, believe it is the beginning of the end. Meanwhile, Laura Byrd is trapped in an Antarctic research station, her supplies are running low, her radio finds only static, and the power is failing. With little choice, Laura sets out across the ice to look for help, but time is running out. Kevin Brockmeier alternates these two storylines to create a lyrical and haunting story about love, loss and the power of memory.Point Books Conducive To The Brief History of the Dead
| Original Title: | The Brief History of the Dead |
| ISBN: | 1400095956 (ISBN13: 9781400095957) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Setting: | Antarctica |
| Literary Awards: | Locus Award Nominee for Best Fantasy Novel (2007), New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award Nominee (2007), Borders Original Voices Award for Fiction (2006), Booker Worthen Literary Prize (2007) |
Rating About Books The Brief History of the Dead
Ratings: 3.67 From 10769 Users | 1788 ReviewsAppraise About Books The Brief History of the Dead
A moving story that explores the power of memory, the significance of loss, and the meaning of our existence. While reading this novel I was constantly reminded of Berkeley's "If a tree falls in the forest" question. Certainly many of us want to know that our life have meaning, perhaps even remembered beyond our existence. I think these are the ideas Brockmeier is playing with and of course he has no real answer but the route he takes is one mesmerizing journey. Two separate stories are revealedIf you read my reviews then you'll probably think I just wax lyrical about everything I read. the reason for this is that if I don't enjoy a book I tend to stop reading it and also don't think it's my place to criticise something that happened not to be 'for me'. And it's much more fun writing about stuff I've enjoyed anyway, so there!Guess what? That's right, I loved this book! I normally employ a know-nothing-in-advance technique in which I ensure I've not read any reviews or even read the
One of the few comforts we can draw on when facing up to our own mortality is the fact that we will live on in the memories of those we leave behind. Kevin Brockmeier takes this sentiment and envisions a world in which it is literally true. As such, The Brief History of the Dead makes for a unique take on the idea of life and death, as well as a poignant testimony to the power of memory. For the dearly departed, there is no heaven or hell in this world of Brockmeier's imagination. Although the
Could have been briefer.
The story is based on an African belief that the dead remain in a limbo world until the last person who remembers them also dies. Only then will they pass on to whatever afterlife awaits them. In a world that has killed itself with pollution, war, and finally disease, this is the tale of the last survivor and what ultimately happens to those whom she holds in her memory. I liked the premise much more than the execution. I wish there was more to the ending but maybe that's what the authors
How many people have you met in your life? How many have you glanced at on the street, seen in a shop, sat opposite and shared a smile with at a concert? Ten thousand? Twenty? Imagine that every person you ever met, ever remembered, has endured after death, kept alive by the power of your memory. This is the central idea around which Kevin Brockmeier has constructed a book of surprising beauty and sadness, a novel different from most of what I read, but rewarding and memorable. Few books stick
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