The Brief History of the Dead

Kevin Brockmeier

Save:

Find on Amazon

city of the dead

global pandemic

memory and human connections

afterlife exploration

lyrical and introspective writing

philosophical

bleak isolation of antarctica

dual narrative structure

representative figures of the dead

contemplative pacing

existence and memory

dystopian speculative fiction

intersection of storylines

'The Brief History of the Dead' by Kevin Brockmeier is a unique exploration of life, death, and the afterlife. The story alternates between the City of the Dead, where deceased individuals reside until they are no longer remembered by the living, and the real world where a woman named Laura Byrd is stranded in Antarctica amidst a global pandemic. The novel delves into deep philosophical questions about memory, human connections, and the concept of an afterlife, all while weaving together multiple storylines that gradually intersect as the narrative progresses.

Characters:

Characters range from representative figures in the City of the Dead to Laura Byrd, each exploring themes of memory and connection.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lyrical and introspective, inviting readers to reflect on themes of existence and memory.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a unique dual narrative exploring the lives of the dead in a forgotten City and the sole human survivor, Laura Byrd, amidst a global pandemic.

Setting:

The setting shifts between a haunting City of the Dead and the bleak isolation of Antarctica, enriching the book's themes.

Pacing:

The pacing combines contemplative reflections with a steady build-up, though some segments may feel drawn out.

When the blind man arrived in the city, he claimed that he had traveled across a desert of living sand. First he had died, he said, and then—snap!—the desert. He told the story to everyone who would l...

Notes:

The book explores the concept of an afterlife where the dead exist in a city, as long as someone on Earth remembers them.

The narrative alternates between the City of the Dead and Laura Byrd, the last surviving human, stranded in Antarctica.

It raises philosophical questions about memory, identity, and the connections between people across life and death.

A pandemic called 'the Blinks' devastates the Earth, mirroring real-life themes of isolation and survival.

Characters in the City of the Dead have mundane lives, engaging in work and relationships despite being dead.

The prose is described as beautiful and evocative, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

Readers often reflect on their own memories and connections as they read, creating a personal resonance with the themes.

The ending is ambiguous and open to interpretation, prompting discussion about what happens after death.

The book is not a typical apocalyptic story; instead, it blends elements of science fiction, philosophy, and literary fiction.

Overall, it has left a lasting impact on readers, with many recalling its themes long after finishing the book.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, pandemics, and isolation, which may affect sensitive readers.

From The Publisher:

"Remember me when I'm gone"

just took on a whole new meaning.

The City is inhabited by the recently departed, who reside there only as long as they remain in the memories of the living. Among the current residents of this afterlife are Luka Sims, who prints the only newspaper in the City, with news from the other side; Coleman Kinzler, a vagrant who speaks the cautionary words of God; and Marion and Phillip Byrd, who find themselves falling in love again after decades of marriage.

On Earth, Laura Byrd is trapped by extreme weather in an Antarctic research station. She's alone and unable to contact the outside world: her radio is down and the power is failing. She's running out of supplies as quickly as she's running out of time.

Kevin Brockmeier interweaves these two stories in a spellbinding tale of human connections across boundaries of all kinds. The Brief History of the Dead is the work of a remarkably gifted writer.

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (11)
Not Interested (4)

1 comment(s)

elerex198

It Was OK

10 months

You know, it was pretty good, bouncing between the stories. I was invested in the way that the cosmology worked. The ending lacked something, but I can't say what.

What can you read after
The Brief History of the Dead?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.