Mortality & Death

"Nothing can be said to be certain," wrote Ben Franklin, "except death and taxes." And yet, death is often ignored, dismissed, or delayed as an experience worth contemplating—until we are forced to reckon with it head-on. The books in this collection do their own reckoning.

Emergency

by Denis Johnson

Publication year 1991

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Death, Safety & Danger, Teamwork

Tags Addiction & Substance Abuse, Relationships, Humor, Psychological Fiction, Satirical Literature, Education, Education

Denis Johnson originally published “Emergency” in the September 16, 1991 issue of New Yorker magazine and later as part of his critically acclaimed 1992 short story collection, Jesus’ Son. These linked, fragmentary stories, all narrated by the same troubled, drug-addicted character, examine themes of violence, addiction, loss, and friendship from an unreliable yet sympathetic narrative voice. This guide uses the 1992 version of Jesus’ Son published by Picador/Farrar, Straus and Giroux.“Emergency,” the sixth story in... Read Emergency Summary

Emily Of New Moon

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Publication year 1923

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Grief, Loneliness, Love, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Environment, Place, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Beauty, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age

... Read Emily Of New Moon Summary

Endgame

by Samuel Beckett

Publication year 1957

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Family, Death, Future, Regret

Tags Tragedy, Comedy & Satire, Irish Literature, Absurdism, World History, Dramatic Literature, French Literature, Classic Fiction

Endgame is a one-act, absurdist play by Samuel Beckett, first performed in 1957. The post-apocalyptic play portrays the farcical, tragic existence of four character who are caught in an unfulfilling routine. Beckett regarded the play as one of his greatest achievements. It has been adapted as an opera and as a short film.This guide uses the 2009 Faber and Faber edition.Plot SummaryThe curtain rises on a nearly bare stage: a room in Hamm’s home, bathed... Read Endgame Summary

End of Story

by A. J. Finn

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Memory, Regret, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Death, The Past, Fathers, Self Discovery, Justice, Truth & Lies

... Read End of Story Summary

End of Watch

by Stephen King

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Good & Evil, Justice, Death

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

... Read End of Watch Summary

Everlost

by Neal Shusterman

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Friendship, Siblings, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction, Grief & Death, Religion & Spirituality

Best-selling and award-winning novelist Neal Shusterman published the fantasy novel Everlost in 2006. It is the first novel in the young adult Skinjacker trilogy, which also includes Everwild (2009) and Everfound (2011). Everlost explores what might lie between life and death and incorporates a rich cast of characters, all of whom are children. The novel has won multiple awards and distinctions, including being included among the 2009 Garden State Teen Book Award nominees and the... Read Everlost Summary

Everybody

by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Publication year 2018

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Fear, Love, Death, Religion & Spirituality, Order & Chaos, Good & Evil

Tags Drama, Symbolic Narrative, Grief & Death, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, American Literature, Dramatic Literature, Education, Education

Everybody, a one-act play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, premiered Off-Broadway in 2017 at the Signature Theatre and was first published in 2018. It is a modern retelling of Everyman, the most well-known and anthologized example of a medieval morality play, which was adapted from a Dutch play by an anonymous 15th century English writer. Morality plays first appeared in the 12th century, evolving from the Catholic Church’s cycle plays and liturgical dramas, which reenacted biblical scenes... Read Everybody Summary

Everyman

by Anonymous

Publication year 1485

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Death, Forgiveness, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Medieval, Religion & Spirituality, Christian

... Read Everyman Summary

Fablehaven

by Brandon Mull

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Place, Safety & Danger, Siblings, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Family, Environment, Fear, Music, Gender Identity, Appearance & Reality, Conflict, Grandparents

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Magical Realism

Fablehaven was written by Brandon Mull (also known for The Candy Shop War and its sequels) and first published in 2006. It is the first in a series about an ecological preserve for magical creatures. In the novel, middle-school-aged siblings Kendra and Seth take a trip to their grandparents’ land in rural Connecticut, which they soon realize is hiding magic of all types. The siblings explore the magical world they have discovered while learning how... Read Fablehaven Summary