The after-life, and its relation to the world of the living, is played out through the experience of a woman, Laura, stranded alone in the Antarctic whilst the rest of the world copes with a lethal pandemic. For a book discussing the journey towards death, the entire tone of the book is one of calmness and dignity, but inevitably, poignant sadness. The little clues of the story plop quietly but definitely onto the page, unravelling the mysteries steadily, but without patronizing the reader. The chapters are very well constructed, quickly focusing in on the action and finishing with a tight polish.
The Brief History is expertly crafted the reader is able to let the narrative flow over them, confident that it is planned out to the last detail. Throughout the book, the vivid metaphors and language paint the landscapes, i.e.
Immediately, the reader is refreshed by Brockmeier’s originality and his light, yet intensely creative, style. Brockmeier conveys beautifully the fantastical element of the transition between life and death. A story about an interpretation of the after-life, the opening sequence of this book describes “the crossing”: the passage of the dead from the human world to their next existence.
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