Afterlife

Guy Smith
G3 Media (2009)
ISBN 9781439237434
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (9/09)

 

A young couple heading home after an evening out is involved in a horrible car accident.  The man (whose name is never given) is killed and his wife Jasmine is left in critical condition.  Upon realizing he has died, the man’s ghost refuses to leave Jasmine’s side.  This is quite difficult because he has not yet mastered the ways in which ghosts can travel.  As he encounters other ghosts, he learns more about his new state of being, as well as what options he has regarding his final destination.

The author handles the serious subject of death in an appropriate manner.  He portrays the love and devotion the man has for his wife and his desire to continue looking after her even though he is gone.  He describes the man’s feelings as his spirit views his own mangled body.  It is particularly touching when he realizes he should not have put off doing important things in his life because now he will never get that chance.  However, the author also manages to infuse humor into the story.  The descriptions of some of the ghosts he meets are comical.  Some of the situations the man’s ghost faces because he has not yet adapted to a ghost’s methods of living are also quite funny.

Although the story is about the afterlife, the author does not attempt to promote any religious beliefs.  The ghost is basically told it has three options.  First, it can go into “The Light” which would be synonymous with entering Heaven.  Second, it can wander the streets (similar to Purgatory) although according to most ghosts this option becomes boring, so they must make mischief to entertain themselves.  Or third, it can try to reincarnate itself by overtaking another person’s soul.  The author does not suggest that any of the above options are better than the others.  He merely explains them.

I think all adults will be able to relate to this story, regardless of whether or not they believe there is an afterlife.  They will experience sadness, humor and even a surprise at the end of “Afterlife” by Guy Smith.  They may rethink their own philosophies of how they should live as they witness the blunt realization that one never knows when death will arrive.

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