Description:
Robert, diagnosed with cancer, decides to cryogenically freeze himself. His wife doesn’t agree but then, she’s a bitch. With the hopes of coming back from a deep slumber to see his grandchildren, Robert entrusts his body to scientists for an undeterminable future.
Boy, is he surprised when instead of sleeping he exists as a spirit. Able to travel the world in a second and follow his family, he can no longer touch his wife, enjoy food and drink, or assist with the corporation he spent his lifetime building. What will he do with himself now?
Review:
I highly enjoyed the first book written by M R Cornelius, H10N1, a post-apocalyptic thriller during an American pandemic. In her second novel, Cornelius continues to force her strong characters into interesting straights created by new technology.
The Ups and Downs of Being Dead is a page turner.
The main character Robert is a middle aged man. Even though I am a young woman, I still connected strongly to his character. Robert encounters other “temps” from the Cryogenic Center and ghosts as well—all of whom add to the story as informants, travel buddies, and post-life companions.
Travel lovers will be amused by Robert’s exploits in New York City and worldwide. It’s not always an easy ride, but Robert does come to see the “Ups” of being dead as well.
Although a bit larger than life, Roberts family is realistic: the hard working corporate baron and show wife who raise an independent businesswoman and an overindulged schmuck of a son. What they do after Robert’s death, however, is completely unpredictable to all.
