A review by cherese
The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Kevin Brockmeier weaves together two distinct yet intertwined narratives - that of the living and that of the dead. What emerges is an beautiful exploration of the symbiotic relationship between the two realms, where the deceased rely on the memories of the living to endure, while the living find solace in holding onto those they've lost.

But the true mastery lies in the way Brockmeier renders the memories that comprise the bulk of the narrative. For his characters, it's not the grand, earth-shattering events that define them, but rather the small, overlooked details of their daily lives. The mundane suddenly takes on profound significance as these recently departed souls cling to the recollections that tether them to the world of the living - a bittersweet longing for connection across the veil between life and death. It's a profoundly moving exploration of the ties that bind us, even beyond the grave.