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Caroline 's Reviews > Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives
Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives
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by
Caroline 's review
bookshelves: short-stories, he-wrote-it, philosophical, speculative-fiction, this-gets-real
Jul 07, 2011
bookshelves: short-stories, he-wrote-it, philosophical, speculative-fiction, this-gets-real
***NO SPOILERS***
An enjoyable set of inventive "what if?" vignettes, Sum is Eagleman's envisionings of various versions of the afterlife. All are impressively unique, and some really stretch the mind. Be sure to open this book while fully alert. Eagleman's background as a neuroscientist is, at times, on full display in these pages as some of his ideas veer into the complex and obscure with talk of quarks and atoms. Readers not inclined toward the scientific may find these boring. Fortunately, the collection contains plenty of vignettes that will appeal more to the everyday reader, and those really make it a joy to read.
An enjoyable set of inventive "what if?" vignettes, Sum is Eagleman's envisionings of various versions of the afterlife. All are impressively unique, and some really stretch the mind. Be sure to open this book while fully alert. Eagleman's background as a neuroscientist is, at times, on full display in these pages as some of his ideas veer into the complex and obscure with talk of quarks and atoms. Readers not inclined toward the scientific may find these boring. Fortunately, the collection contains plenty of vignettes that will appeal more to the everyday reader, and those really make it a joy to read.
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Quotes Caroline Liked
“There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.”
― Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives
― Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives
Reading Progress
July 7, 2011
– Shelved
February 8, 2012
–
Started Reading
February 16, 2012
–
Finished Reading
November 10, 2014
– Shelved as:
short-stories
May 17, 2016
– Shelved as:
he-wrote-it
August 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
philosophical
August 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
speculative-fiction
August 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
this-gets-real
Comments Showing 1-16 of 16 (16 new)
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Ellis
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 28, 2013 10:55AM
I'm pretty sure I didn't understand half of what he said, but I laughed so much with these stories!
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Some were just too technical for me to appreciate fully, I think. But there were a few that I really, really liked. I think someone with a science background would especially love this little book!
I have another one of his books. It focuses more on neuroscience, I think. I'm extremely intrigued, but always so worried I won't understand its genius :D.
You're talking about Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, I think. I read that one too, this past January. It's REALLY interesting, but it's complex. Don't read it when you're sleepy! :D It's not impossible to understand, though; I still do recommend it if you're even the least bit interested in how the brain operates.
Yes, that's the one! I'm saving it for when I truly have the time. I've always been fascinated by how the brain works, both from a purely scientific as psychological perspective.
Ellis wrote: "Yes, that's the one! I'm saving it for when I truly have the time. I've always been fascinated by how the brain works, both from a purely scientific as psychological perspective."Same here!
Incognito was great, but this seems like something totally different. I like the science, think I may pass on the afterlife.
Wondering if you just reviewed it, or if a 2012 review just popped up on my feed.
Daniel wrote: "Incognito was great, but this seems like something totally different. I like the science, think I may pass on the afterlife."This definitely is different from Incognito. For what it's worth, despite being about the afterlife, Sum is not at all religious.
Daniel wrote: "Wondering if you just reviewed it, or if a 2012 review just popped up on my feed."
I thoroughly revised the review I'd written in 2012.
I love that quote you liked, Caroline, especially its last part!
Lisa wrote: "I love that quote you liked, Caroline, especially its last part!"It's a great one. I'm so glad I found it.
Interesting review, Caroline! The last line of the quote that you liked from this book was jaw-dropping!
Debbie wrote: "Interesting review, Caroline! The last line of the quote that you liked from this book was jaw-dropping!"I forgot that quote, Debbie. It really is fantastic. You now have a taste of what this book is like. Eagleman is very smart.
Caroline wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Interesting review, Caroline! The last line of the quote that you liked from this book was jaw-dropping!"I forgot that quote, Debbie. It really is fantastic. You now have a taste o..."
I don't know if I'd be able to wrap my brain around all his scientific talk, but it does sound fascinating.
Debbie, as I recall, the science isn't dominant and could be skipped over or skimmed. Just FYI. This book really makes you think, but his other one, Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, had me thinking about things I'd never considered before. It blew my mind. Maybe you could try that one.
Caroline wrote: "Debbie, as I recall, the science isn't dominant and could be skipped over or skimmed. Just FYI. This book really makes you think, but his other one, [book:Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain|9..."Thanks for the recommendation, Caroline! I checked it out, along with your review (along with some other GR friends' reviews) and added it!
