“The Brief History of the Dead” by Kevin Brockmeier portrays a cold city of passed souls relying on the memories of the living to stay in limbo. When hordes of the citizens begin to come and go quickly, those remaining soon discover their common thread: Laura Byrd. The last living woman on Earth fights for her life on the Antarctic plains, unsure why she’s been left so alone. Meanwhile, Brockmeier reveals the cause of world annihilation in a stunning social satire and science fiction-mixed-with-survival story. His inventive tale emphasizes the power of memory as one woman keeps thousands in limbo alone with her thoughts.
Brockmeier began writing the novel after the New Yorker published chapter one. His short-story prose carries through even in the later chapters. Brockmeier gathers glimpses of a tale creating a whole, much like our perception of the past is caught in snapshots and vague conceptions. He takes characters that have crossed over and creates vignette-like descriptions of their memories. Brockmeier uses language reminiscent of a short story – concise with enough poetry to intrigue.
The parallel plots ignite curiosities that entice you to read on, but so does the ending. Though provocation may strengthen a novel’s end, I would have been pleased to know more about “The Brief History of the Dead.” I don’t want to know what happens, exactly, after limbo, but the hauntingly beautiful description of Laura’s end is unmatched by the other characters’. I realize this may be Brockmeier’s point – the living die and the dead … who knows? The book deserves a read for its originality and mystique; nonetheless, the conclusion may leave you itching for more.
Brockmeier will win favor from readers by lacing his unusual choice of genres with wit and heart. The young author writes about life and death with imagination, choosing neither bitterness nor sweetness as tones for his vision. Short-story lovers will appreciate this longer work, and epic-novel lovers will find Laura Byrd’s short journey a beautiful struggle.
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