Plot Summary

The Brief History of the Dead

Kevin Brockmeier
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The Brief History of the Dead

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

Book Brief

Kevin Brockmeier

The Brief History of the Dead

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Earth • Near Future

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier follows Laura Byrd, a scientist isolated at an Antarctic research station after a mysterious global pandemic, and the residents of a city where people linger until forgotten by the living. As Laura searches for her colleagues, the city's inhabitants realize their fates are tied to her survival, while the city's unexplained shrinkage prompts a desperate quest for answers.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

13,014 ratings

60%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Kevin Brockmeier's The Brief History of the Dead masterfully intertwines a haunting and imaginative view of the afterlife with poignant human connections. Praised for its lyrical prose and innovative narrative structure, it captivates readers despite some critiques on pacing and character depth. This novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of memory and mortality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Brief History of the Dead?

Readers who enjoy philosophical and imaginative fiction with explorations of life, death, and the afterlife will find The Brief History of the Dead captivating. It appeals to fans of works like The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and The Road by Cormac McCarthy, intertwining human experiences with thought-provoking themes.

3.9

13,014 ratings

60%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Earth • Near Future

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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