The Brief History of the Dead

Summary

Award-winning author Kevin Brockmeier serialized the first chapter of this acclaimed novel in The New Yorker, prompting Warner Bros. to quickly secure the film rights. A spellbinding, supernatural work, The Brief History of the Dead is a tale of love, memories, and human connection.

All residents of the City have recently died, and they will remain in the City only as long as someone still living on Earth remembers them. On Earth, however, the population has been devastated by a terrible pandemic. Laura Byrd, isolated at an Antarctic research station, is running low on supplies and has only her memories to comfort her. The people of the City realize Laura is the common thread binding them together. But Laura, who may be the only person to have survived the pandemic, is running out of time—and her memories are fading.

Brilliant in concept and execution, The Brief History of the Dead is a spectacular achievement that lingers in the mind long after the final word.