Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives

David Eagleman

January 12, 2010

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman is an imaginative collection of stories from a renowned neuroscientist and writer. The stories are set in an afterlife where possibilities are nearly limitless. They explore the many different ways in which humans experience death, featuring a unique assortment of characters and scenarios.The structure of the book is episodic, each of the forty tales shedding light on the mysteries of death and the afterlife. In one story, an elderly woman is offered a second chance to experience a time in her life that she felt she missed out on; in another, a former soldier is given the chance to talk to those he killed during battle. With each story, Eagleman offers fresh perspectives on the afterlife, and showcases how humans can build something beautiful even in the face of tragedy and death.Sum’s imaginative exploration of the various possibilities of our afterlife make it a must-read for anyone curious about its mysteries. Through his poignant stories and delightful prose, Eagleman manages to captivate readers, and transport them to a realm that is both surreal and yet somehow strangely familiar. Whether examining death’s consequences, or the possibilities of rebirth, Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives is a captivating philosophical exploration of life and death that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.