'A prodigy of imagination, insight and overwhelming tenderness' Independent 'Remember me when I'm gone' just took on a whole new meaning . . . Laura Byrd is in trouble. Three weeks ago she and her friends found themselves alone in one of the coldest, most remote places on earth. Her friends set out in search of help, and now Laura realises that they are not coming back. So she gathers her remaining supplies and sets out on an extraordinary journey. Meanwhile in another city, more and more people arrive every day. Each has ...
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'A prodigy of imagination, insight and overwhelming tenderness' Independent 'Remember me when I'm gone' just took on a whole new meaning . . . Laura Byrd is in trouble. Three weeks ago she and her friends found themselves alone in one of the coldest, most remote places on earth. Her friends set out in search of help, and now Laura realises that they are not coming back. So she gathers her remaining supplies and sets out on an extraordinary journey. Meanwhile in another city, more and more people arrive every day. Each has a different story to tell, but their accounts have one thing in common - it was their final journey. For this is the city of the dead. And the link between this city and Laura's journey lies at the heart of this remarkable novel. The Brief History of the Dead tells a magical story about our lives - about our place in the world, our connections with each other, and what happens to us all after our deaths. It is a story of spellbinding power and imagination, which resonates long after the final page.
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Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Knopf Publishing Group.
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Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $1.32, fair condition, Sold by Your Online Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Houston, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Vintage.
Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $1.33, good condition, Sold by Your Online Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Houston, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Vintage.
Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $1.33, good condition, Sold by Orion Tech rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Vintage.
Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $1.33, good condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Vintage.
Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $1.43, good condition, Sold by OnlineGoodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Nashville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Knopf Publishing Group.
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Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are solid. the cover is intact, but may show scuffs or light creases, as well as a possible rolled corner. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, The former owner may have written their name inside the front or back cover.
Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $1.75, good condition, Sold by The Maryland Book Bank rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from baltimore, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Knopf Publishing Group.
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Add this copy of The Brief History of the Dead to cart. $2.01, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Knopf Publishing Group.
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When I first picked up "The Brief History of the Dead" I had my doubts about whether or not I would like the book. The plot had potential, but could have very easily been turned into a tacky and unpleasant read on life after death. I decided I would give the book a chance, and I am so glad that I did. The title didn't lie, the book was indeed brief, requiring only a few hours to finish. In the novel, there is the world of the living and the world of the dead, simply known as "the City". Before arriving in the City, the dead must complete "the crossing", which is different for every person and beautifully described by Brockmeier. When the dead come to the city they attain jobs, and live much the same as they had on earth. The City is always expanding and changing to accommodate the residents, but the dead do not stay in the City indefinitely. As long as they endured in the memory of living people, they would remain in the City. The story focuses mainly on the characters of Luka Sims, who produces a newspaper for the dead, and Laura Byrd, one of the living. There is also insight into the thoughts and lives of many of the other dead. When the dead begin to mysteriously disappear as quickly as they arrive, Luka begins to investigate and soon discovers something devastating and tragic. The book alternates between the City and the living world, and everything and everyone ties together in small yet significant ways. The reader begins to see connections between things, and it really makes for a great and fascinating read. Not only is the plot intriguing, but the writing is really diverse, changing from beautifully descriptive writing to raw dialogue that fits each character and location and mood. The subject may be touchy for some, especially since different religions or people have various beliefs on life after death, but I think part of what makes this book so great is that it manages to entertain and inspire without offending or making any actual religious affiliation, even though there are mentions of heaven and hell. It isn't hard to find the words and ideas beautiful and moving. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an unforgettable and interesting work of fiction!
