Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives

David Eagleman

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imaginative representations of afterlives

unique afterlife scenarios

thought provoking ideas

quick pacing of vignettes

speculative fiction about death

philosophical explorations of life after death

concise and lyrical writing style

diverse perspectives on afterlife

intricate and compact narrative

humanity in varied afterlife contexts

varied afterlife contexts

contemplative reading experience

imaginative and unsettling afterlives

short stories exploring death

'Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives' by David Eagleman is a collection of short stories exploring various hypothetical scenarios of the afterlife. Each story presents a unique version of what happens after death, sparking the reader's imagination and contemplation. The writing style is concise, imaginative, and thought-provoking, with each tale offering a different perspective on life after death.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by simplicity and precision, combining lyrical quality and compactness to convey intricate and thought-provoking ideas.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative comprises a series of forty imaginative scenarios that explore the nature of potential afterlives, each presenting a different perspective on life after death.

Setting:

The setting encompasses diverse and imaginative representations of afterlives, ranging from whimsical to thought-provoking and occasionally unsettling.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, as the book consists of short vignettes, but it is best enjoyed slowly to allow for contemplation of each idea.

You spend two months driving the street in front of your house, seven months having sex. You sleep for thirty years without opening your eyes. For five months straight you flip through magazines while...

Notes:

David Eagleman is a neuroscientist who imagines 40 different possible afterlives.

Each afterlife is described in just a few pages, showcasing inventive and thought-provoking scenarios.

In one scenario, you relive all your experiences with events reshuffled in a new order.

Eagleman explores unconventional ideas of God, imagining deities as microbes or married couples.

The book's writing style is simple and precise, making complex ideas accessible.

Readers often pause to ponder the implications of each story, sparking deep reflection.

The afterlives presented include mundane situations, such as spending years in a body, or imaginative twists on existence.

'Metamorphosis' describes three deaths: physical death, burial, and being forgotten.

In 'Subjunctive', you're judged against your potential selves rather than others.

Many stories blend humor and philosophical themes, inviting a sense of whimsy.

The tales range from absurd to profound, exploring societal norms and human experiences in the afterlife.

The book is easy to read in one sitting, but best enjoyed slowly for reflection.

From The Publisher:

At once funny, wistful and unsettling, Sum is a dazzling exploration of unexpected afterlives-each presented as a vignette that offers a stunning lens through which to see ourselves in the here and now. In one afterlife, you may find that God is the size of a microbe and unaware of your existence. In another version, you work as a background character in other people's dreams. Or you may find that God is a married couple, or that the universe is running backward, or that you are forced to live out your afterlife with annoying versions of who you could have been. With a probing imagination and deep understanding of the human condition, acclaimed neuroscientist David Eagleman offers wonderfully imagined tales that shine a brilliant light on the here and now.

Ratings (6)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (17):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

loutup337

It Was OK

1 month

This was interesting - 40 theories on Life after Death and what "Might" happen, or if there is even an afterlife, some are a bit silly but some are fascinating. Enjoyed it.

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About the Author:

Dr. DAVID EAGLEMAN is a neuroscientist and internationally best-selling author. He teaches brain plasticity at Stanford University, is the creator and host of the Emmy-nominated television series The Brain, and is the CEO of Neosensory, a company that builds the…

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