The Brief History of the Dead - Kevin Brockmeier

One of the best books I have read in a while

With the world spinning around series like Twilight and Harry Potter, it is rare that one hears about a single book that is worth reading. I came across this book at the bookstore, drawn in by the title and cover. I started reading and instantly fell in love. The idea of multiple narrators is a lost art, and usually does not turn out well, but I found that this book was a shining example of what such a book should consist of.

I found myself completely immersed in this book, and crying when it ended because there was nothing left to read. I will definitely read other books from this author.

I believe that this book has what many books are lacking in today's mainstream literature: a cohesive plot, a "what if" answered, and a very strong message about our society and where it is headed. As someone who over thinks books, I can tell you that this book does not disappoint. The message is a great one, and the way it was delivered is amazing.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new book to anyone looking for a new book worth their time.

Stunningly imaginative

I highly recommend this book. It absolutely blew me away -- the originality, the fantasy-without-outlandishness, and even the totally expected ending that somehow became tear-jerkingly touching. The first chapter alone, published as a short story in the New Yorker, is thrilling by itself. This novel was a joy.

Well written, well conceived, but deeply depressing

I don't have any new critique of this novel to add but I want to mention that several of the themes and certainly the ending, have left me feeling deeply sad and hopeless. I was drawn in by the first few chapters and an admiration for the creative undertaking. The last quarter of the book is perhaps the most depressing thing I've ever read -- not something I typically walk away with from a book. Maybe not a good book to take on if you're not in the mood.

Interesting Concept

I am reviewing the audio version of this book. I found the concept to be so interesting and I really enjoyed the relationships between the people in The City. I loved Laura's story and reading about her finally realizing what was going on in the outside world,and her desperate attempts at trying to save herself. HOWEVER! I was disappointed in the ending, only because it was so.... bleh. Even though I finished the book about a week ago, I still keep thinking about the book and wondering what happened. There could have been so much more to the story and the characters. I wonder about the plague - how it happened, where it came from. I wonder if Laura was the last sole survivor of the human race. I wonder what happens to the inhabitants of The City when they move on. I wonder what happens to The City itself after everyone leaves. I wonder about all the unanswered questions that the ending leaves. Now, I realize that sometimes not having a story tied up in a neat little bow is a better ending. But for some reason, the unexplained and unanswered parts of this story bother me. I would recommend the book because it is a good read and very interesting. Plus, it is thought provoking and unique. I only wish the ending had satisfied my need to know more about what happened AFTER the ending, and more about what was going on in the "real world" during the story.

Interesting premise, dull story

The problem with this book isn't with the writing, it's just that the writing is not good enough to sustain a complete lack of tension in the plot. The ultimate fate of all of the characters becomes clear more or less after about 10 pages. And the characters themselves are not very interesting. Flashbacks galore, but very dull. The little blurb at the beginning that explains the basic idea of an intermediate kind of heaven for people who still exist in the memories of the living is about as interesting as it gets. But Brockmeier doesn't do anything with it, I'm afraid.