How the Dead Live by Will Self. Summary of the book.

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How the Dead Live by Will Self

Summary of the Book

Will Self’s How the Dead Live is a postmodern novel that tells the story of Lily Bloom, a seventy-year-old widow who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The novel follows Lily as she navigates her newfound mortality, exploring the depths of her own psyche and those of the people around her. The novel presents a unique exploration of life, death, and the experiences of aging.

Self’s novel is a darkly humorous take on death, but also offers a profound insight into the human condition. Lily’s journey is a complex one, as she faces her own mortality and confronts her past. Throughout the novel, Lily is both a foil to life’s struggles, and a guide to the inner workings of the human soul.

Interesting Facts about the Book

  • The Novel was Written in Just Two Weeks: Will Self wrote How the Dead Live in just two weeks, an impressive feat for such a complex novel.
  • It’s a Postmodern Novel: Self’s novel is considered a postmodern work, as it incorporates elements of magical realism, surrealism, and nonlinear storytelling.
  • It was Highly Acclaimed: The novel earned critical acclaim when it was released in 2000, receiving the Whitbread Award for Fiction and being shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Main Teachings of the Book

How the Dead Live is a meditation on life, death, and the human experience. Self’s novel offers a unique exploration of mortality, and encourages readers to confront their own fears and anxieties about death. The novel also serves as a warning against putting off living life to the fullest, as Lily is forced to confront her own mortality.

The novel also explores the idea of legacy and the power of storytelling. Through Lily’s story, Self encourages readers to consider how their lives will be remembered after they are gone. For Lily, her story is a way to ensure that her life will have meaning and purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the book How the Dead Live about?

A: How the Dead Live is a postmodern novel by Will Self that tells the story of Lily Bloom, a terminally-ill seventy-year-old widow. It is a darkly humorous take on death, but also offers a profound insight into the human condition.

Q: Who wrote How the Dead Live?

A: The novel was written by Will Self in 2000.

Q: What awards has How the Dead Live won?

A: How the Dead Live won the Whitbread Award for Fiction and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Q: What are the main teachings of the book?

A: How the Dead Live is a meditation on life, death, and the human experience. It encourages readers to confront their own fears and anxieties about death, and to consider their own legacies and how they will be remembered after they are gone.

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