The Brief History of the Dead

Time is running out for Laura Byrd. Three weeks ago she and her colleagues found themselves alone in one of the coldest, most remote places on earth. The others 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 Kevin Brockmeier’s 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.

Praise for Kevin Brockmeier and THE BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEAD:

The Times
'...his confident voice, observational brilliance and playful humour dazzle to the end. Brockmeier has two O.Henry Awards under his belt for good reason'.

The New Yorker
‘Brockmeier investigates our capacity for wonder … and the result is exacting and perfectly strange’

Sunday Times Travel Magazine
‘Sure-to-be-acclaimed fiction mixes with travelogue ... Gripping – and moving – stuff

Amy Worth, lead account manager, books, Amazon
'A spell-binding novel'

Minneapolis Star Tribune
‘Unique and spellbinding … Brockmeier is up to something different’