Grant Bailie

This book came to my attention from a brief description that appeared in Ohio Magazine due to the fact that it was written by a Cleveland author.

It’s a somewhat frightening view of what awaits us in the afterlife. James Broadhurst is killed in a car accident, but instead of everyone’s idea of heaven, he’s stuck in a small, nondescript apartment with an evasive and uncommunicative roommate and a suitcase full of his favorite things on earth: his favorite shirt, tie, pants, mug, book, etc. And no one will tell him where to find other deceased members of his own family. He spends his initial time sitting on the comfy sofa, drinking free beer and watching his family on the television set. Finally he is interviewed for a job he didn’t apply for, and ends up working as an ad copywriter on a user’s manual for an office software program. The problem is nobody at the company seems to be able to tell James exactly what the program is supposed to do.

James’ initial inquisitiveness about his surroundings and his purpose there is quickly suppressed by the day-to-day grind of “living”. I found myself irritated at his lack of curiosity until I recognized the same tendency in myself and my own life. Do you still actively question your purpose in life? Do you still have an insatiable curiosity about the world you exist in? Or do you, like me, tend to get caught up in the day-to-day effort of getting by?

This book made me think, about life, living, and what I have come to expect from the afterlife. Religion is hardly mentioned in the book despite the subject matter. If you’re into unconventional fiction, I recommend this novel.
… (mehr)